“Proclaim the truth and do not be silent through fear.”
-St. Catherine of Siena
This is an important motto for a journalist, no matter what level they are writing at, and an important motto for a student, no matter how loud they feel their voice might be.
Hello, and welcome to a new year at OCU! My name is Emily Wollenberg, and I am your new editor-in-chief of Student Publications. I am a BFA Acting major with a minor in mass communications. I am a fan of true crime podcasts, Michelle Obama, and all types of cheese. I started working for Student Publications my freshman year, having little journalism experience, yet three years later, I’m privileged to lead the Student Publications staff in seeking out the truth and educating our campus community. I have always had a passion for writing and different forms of media, but I didn’t find an outlet for that passion until I found Student Publications. This job has allowed me to tell the stories of our university. Each year at OCU brings new leadership, new students and countless other additions and changes to our ever growing OCU family. OCU is unique in its sense of community, its diversity of passions and stories and the drive and determination of its students.
I have many goals for this year. As an organization that serves as the voice for the campus community, we have a responsibility to listen to our peers. It is my goal to tell the stories of students which aren’t always told. I want to sincerely invite our readers to reach out to us with ideas and share the interesting and unique narratives of this student body. We are here to serve you—truthfully, accurately and equally.
As an organization, we want to find new ways to bring the OCU community information. Through more immediate, online coverage and new mediums of sharing information, we want to ensure you continue to stay informed about your campus community in ways that work for you.
Our mission statement also includes, “to entertain and serve the campus community,” and I want to further that this coming year. If one of our columnists can make you laugh and help the stress of academics disappear for a minute, we are doing something right.
I want to ask for open communication with you. Our job is to inform, but we can’t do that without your help. Please talk to us, reach out to us and give us feedback. You can contact our email, stupub@my.okcu.edu, or my email, elwollenberg@my.okcu.edu with any questions, concerns or comments.
Student media is important for so many reasons; it is the voice of the students. It is a way to hold officials accountable. It gives students the ability to be educated about the university they invest so much in. Even if you’re not the biggest reader, or you don’t care about news, pick up a newspaper every now and then or check out our website, MediaOCU.com, to stay educated about your university.
Lastly, I want to encourage the incoming freshman to get out of your comfort zone, explore your passions, find new hobbies, and try something you have never thought to try. College is the time to thrive and make mistakes—we all have so much to learn from our failures. If I had not applied for the newspaper my freshman year on a friend’s suggestion and a whim, I wouldn’t be in the position I am today. This year, I am looking forward to growth, seeking the truth and telling your stories. I can’t wait to see how this campus community gets stronger together.
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