I’m sure all of you are over those sappy, sentimental goodbye columns. However, you’ll have to suffer through one more because I’m the editor and have control over the paper. Therefore, I can do what I want.
When I found out that I was going to be editor in chief, everyone said, “Wow, that’ll look great on your resume.” Let me tell you something, I didn’t take this job for a resume builder. There are much easier and less stressful things I could have done.
I took on this 40-hour workweek because I love the Alligator and I love serving you, the Student Body. There is something so cool about walking across campus and seeing a student grab a paper from an Alligator bin. I’m proud of the product we put out each day, but I’m even more proud of the people I work with.
When you work for the Alligator, you forgo good grades and a social life in order to give the Student Body the news everyday. A lot of the time, you criticize it and you disregard it — I was on campus the other day and two girls had just found out University Police shot a graduate student. But luckily, there are tons of you who actually appreciate it.
For all of our critics, I’d like to remind you that students run this paper, so mistakes are going to be made. The important thing is we learn from them — and we have. I’ve learned more about journalism in this mold-infested building than I did in Weimer Hall (sorry to all my professors I may have just offended).
I’ve learned to make tough decisions, like if we should run something that could potentially offend our readers (Haiti sexToons), to keep digging for the truth no matter what and how to work with and respect a diverse group of people with whom I may not always see eye-to-eye.
The people I work with aren’t just my co-workers, they’re my family. We eat dinner together, take classes together and when we just can’t get enough of each other, we play Taboo or go out and sing karaoke on the weekends. We know most, if not all, of the personal details in each others lives.
When one of us succeeds (like getting an internship with The New York Times or People magazine), we cheer. When one of us has relationship problems, we offer advice. And when one of us is struggling with family problems or a broken heart, we comfort one another.
These are the people whom I will miss the most when looking back on my college experience.
I want to say a few thanks to the people who made me the journalist I am today, and then I’ll end your misery.
Professor Mike Foley: Most probably know him as the guy who interviewed Andy Samberg, but I see him as a mentor. You helped me through tough times and always gave me excellent advice. You’re always on the Alligator’s side and I can not thank you enough for that.
My favorite editor, Lauren Baker: Your annoying attention to detail and constant berating of my work taught me to be a better writer. You taught me how to be a tough, fair editor and how to always get the story.
Student Government senators: Your ability to make a two-hour meeting last five hours taught me to work under pressure and on deadline. And your whining and arguing taught me to sift through the crap and pick out those small kernels of truth that actually matter.
My boyfriend and roommates: You all never got to see me but always supported me. You all listened to me complain about things you didn’t care about and you even offered advice. You all encouraged me every step of the way.
Chelsea Keenan is a journalism senior and editor in chief of the Alligator.
