Editor makes assessment of learning experience
Heather Dumas
Issue date: 4/27/09 Section: Opinion
"Please, God, not another learning experience." I saw that on a bumper sticker once and the irony was not wasted.
While sometimes frustrating, tedious and more than occasionally taking away from my normal sleep schedule, my first semester as editor of the University Chronicle has taught me a great many things. The greatest of these may be to use my power for good.
Jason Lovins has often used the phrase "for the greater good" when talking about the duty of journalists to inform the public.
But what I am speaking of goes beyond that. I'm talking about caring not only about one's own skills as a journalist, but about integrity, camaraderie among colleagues and just plain giving a…flip.
Through the expert mentorship of former editor Chris Dunham, I have learned many things about running this newspaper. I've learned several tricks of the trade just by watching this pro at work. And he turned out to be a good friend too, sort of like a messy brother hanging around my office.
I would not have been nearly as prepared to take on this job if Chris had not agreed to take this semester to teach me the ropes. His professionalism, insight, patience and simple uncanny instinct fot the business of news have taught me much. His excellent writing skills and ability to capture s with his camera ome of the best sports action shots I've seen will carry him to a bright and prosperous future.
Chris will be graduating in a couple weeks, and I will be sad to see him leave SSU. My best wishes go with him as he ventures forth to take on the world.
Now I look forward to summer and next fall's opportunities to continue with the Chronicle. It has been a learning experience.
p.s. Let's keep the cafe in the library.
While sometimes frustrating, tedious and more than occasionally taking away from my normal sleep schedule, my first semester as editor of the University Chronicle has taught me a great many things. The greatest of these may be to use my power for good.
Jason Lovins has often used the phrase "for the greater good" when talking about the duty of journalists to inform the public.
But what I am speaking of goes beyond that. I'm talking about caring not only about one's own skills as a journalist, but about integrity, camaraderie among colleagues and just plain giving a…flip.
Through the expert mentorship of former editor Chris Dunham, I have learned many things about running this newspaper. I've learned several tricks of the trade just by watching this pro at work. And he turned out to be a good friend too, sort of like a messy brother hanging around my office.
I would not have been nearly as prepared to take on this job if Chris had not agreed to take this semester to teach me the ropes. His professionalism, insight, patience and simple uncanny instinct fot the business of news have taught me much. His excellent writing skills and ability to capture s with his camera ome of the best sports action shots I've seen will carry him to a bright and prosperous future.
Chris will be graduating in a couple weeks, and I will be sad to see him leave SSU. My best wishes go with him as he ventures forth to take on the world.
Now I look forward to summer and next fall's opportunities to continue with the Chronicle. It has been a learning experience.
p.s. Let's keep the cafe in the library.
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