Entering the past weekend, I was prepared to begin my last five columns. At our penultimate executive board meeting, I suddenly realized that this was my last issue on the E-board and as editor-in-chief. I’m not sure how it approached so quickly, but time’s up. So, get ready — I’m about to condense five weeks worth of goodbyes and gratitude into one adieu.
If you’ve read my first column as editor-in-chief, you know that my arrival to editor-in-chief in The Stute was improbable, at best. I was a reporter every week, volunteering for at least two articles a week. However, as time rolled on I felt less welcome at layout days, which usually happened on Thursdays. I was on the brink of quitting the newspaper, an organization that I had been waiting to get involved in since my early high school years. Through a stroke of luck and an unfilled vacancy for the managing editor position, I assumed that role, became quite driven, and the rest is Stevens history.
Throughout this past year as editor-in-chief, on an executive board, and in my last year at this university as a student, I have had the opportunity to work with so many people in various sects of this school. What I want to do with the space I have left on this page is simply say thank you:
- To the workers and maintainers at and of this university, who are the unsung collective backbone that keeps this place running. From the crew at Pierce that have always been kind and respectful to me, and even talked about pro wrestling occasionally, to the nightly maintenance folks who I see when I leave the Visual Art Lab at 1 or 2 a.m., I thank you for all that you do for this university and for me whenever we talked or interacted.
- To the administration who, after much coaxing and trips to Student Life, saw through The Stute’s past and backed its future. History has made the relationship between this university’s official newspaper and administrators a bit rocky (to say the least), but in this past year we worked through the barricade of the past and kicked off the future strong.
- To the contributors to The Stute, from the freshman weekend to now, we have seen from 15 to over 25 contributors. Every week you come and contribute in some capacity, whether you are a columnist or occasional photographer. It may not seem like much from your end, but every bit of work that you all have put into this organization and publication make a difference. The Stute could not be where it is now without you all. To those who left: keep in touch; to those who volunteer every week, I’ll see you after spring break at elections; to those who are reading and want to join, I hope to see you after spring break, too.
- To the current executive board, who have taught me so much about myself. It’s cheesy to say, but being on this board with people I not only thought were worthy of their positions but also are my friends was an unforgettable experience. I know that without my E-board experience, I would not be nearly as close with you all. The Stute has worked its magic before in establishing friendships that transcend the organization (the class of 2019’s Stute Squad can attest to this), and it continued to do so with this E-board. Although it seems like we can never do enough, we did a lot.
- Lastly, to the readers, who have recognized the changes we have made over the year and have embraced the “Nü Stute” with open arms. Once an endangered species deemed uncool, people now read The Stute. If there’s no evidence with our print issues, then turn to our online presence, which has boomed significantly since last year: there are a lot of readers now. Without a vibrant readership, there would be no newspaper. Keep on reading.
When we return from spring break, a new E-board will take the mantle and lead The Stute. This new guard is incredibly young overall, the oldest member a junior! The sum of their experience may be less than in the past, but their passion and drive may outclass an E-board that has come before. My goal was to ensure that we provided a solid foundation — to get The Stute out from under the ground. With the hole filled up and a solid base laid, it’s time to build.
Per aspera ad astra. Lege The Stute.
