Somehow, this is my 18th editorial since becoming Editor-In-Chief. I can’t quite figure out where the time went, because it feels like I just started getting used to this job.
There are so many memories from this year alone, so many stories captured in our paper, and stories that remain unwritten that I’ve been fortunate enough to be tapped into simply because of my position. When I submitted a writing sample to the e-board back in 2016 to become a columnist, I didn’t even like writing. I was (and still am) a shy and sentimental kid, so the idea of documenting my freshman experience just seemed cool to me. I got lucky and decided to take the opportunity and give it my all. Three years later, I’m humbled to be the President of such a meaningful organization during my time at Stevens.
I probably say this in every editorial, but The Stute is more than just a club. It serves as a record of life at Stevens for the past 100 years. We have been with Stevens through it all: natural disasters, world wars, lawsuits regarding parking and presidents; you name it, The Stute has written about it. Sometimes, though, because of this, I feel pressured about doing more to live up to my predecessors.
Don’t get me wrong, we are in a way better place than we were five or ten years ago. Despite two office moves this year alone, the ransomware attack leaving us without office computers for the entire semester, threats to cancel our funding, and people perpetually avoiding us, the paper always prints. We’ve been called so many different names that I’ve lost track of them all. Despite all of these setbacks, we’ve implemented several changes in print design, experimented on several channels online, and even hosted events this semester. Our articles are more legitimate and news-like than ever before, and our opinion columns and letters are increasing in relevancy by prompting campus discussions and changes nearly each week.
Being the President of this club has never been about the title. People only enamored by titles can only do so much without giving up; it’s a tireless, thankless job. You need to be incredibly resilient and motivated for reasons other than clout. You’ll become the face of the organization outside, but being the face on the inside isn’t something you get overnight. You have to be professional and hold yourself to a standard that everyone can respect you for. You wouldn’t want to be known for the wrong reasons. In the newspaper club at least, news travels very fast.
With such a limited time left in my position, I can’t help but want to do more. The difficult problem with student leadership is the high turnover rate. Just when you start to get good at something, time’s up. That’s why it’s so hard to actually create change at Stevens. Re-reading editorials from 10 or 50 years ago, the EICs back then were also going off about how the school was headed in a downward spiral and criticizing the actions (or inactions) of the student government. Nothing ever changes, right?
Wrong! Big changes are coming — to The Stute at least! We have a lot of exciting projects and internal improvements planned out for semester. New decade, new me, right?
There are only eight more issues after break for me to make an impact, before I hand off the torch to another member of our e-board. I get asked “Who’s it gonna be?” at least 10 times a week from both people in the club and outside the club. It’s exciting to know people have their eyes on us, and care about which direction The Stute will be going in after my time is up.
When thinking about the most relevant alumni that I know, they all share the same characteristics. Not all of them were club presidents. But, they were passionate and fostered a sense of community in their orgs. They motivated others to push beyond their comfort zones and commit to the causes they believed in. They fought in defense of their people even when they were in the wrong. They were rarely hands off, but rather so hands on that everyone knew that they were within arm’s reach if they needed them at any time. I’ve been the President of CPAC for two years, I know that my kids there are thriving. I’m in the process of training them to become leaders and carry on the show without me. Now, I want to bring the same to The Stute — how can I leave it in a different place from where I found it?
Well, luckily, we’re in a different place by default! Come check us out at our new office on the third floor of Alexander House. Our new office is really cute, if I say so myself.
With that, I hope you all have a restful and pleasant winter break, celebrate the holidays with your loved ones, and kick butt on all your finals! We’ll be back and in your face more than ever next semester.
Be First to Comment