Editor-in-chief Theda Berry reflects on her tenure
During my year as editor-in-chief of The Daily Cardinal, I have spoken and written so many words that in this final column, I am having trouble finding them. Between announcements, posts, messages and conversations with editors, I’ve said more than what I need to say.
But, a few things deserve repeating.
I am awed every single day, including my last day here, with the dedication and passion of Cardinal staff. I have seen writers and editors work up to and nearly past deadline in order to report on issues essential to students. I have seen editors lay out pages days in advance, just to get it right. I have seen intense emotion regarding everything Cardinal, from word choices to long-awaited denim shirts.
I can only hope that in my time as management, I have done for current staff what was done for me. If I have helped make the Cardinal a welcoming place with opportunity for growth for even one other person, I can leave knowing I’ve given back to a place that has been that for me and more.
It is impossible to reflect on management without thanking Negassi Tesfamichael, managing editor this year. His patience and understanding as a co-editor are immeasurable.
Despite this year being incredibly difficult, it will be just as difficult to leave this role. I am comfortable doing so because I know the paper will be in the competent and caring hands of Madeline Heim and Andrew Bahl—who have demonstrated their commitment to the Cardinal and desire to make it better.
Women editors-in-chief at the Cardinal are too few and far between, and I am absolutely thrilled that Maddy will be taking on the role.
Thank you to those who engaged with the Cardinal this year—whether that meant reading one article or working 40-plus hours a week.
Theda will be a senior next year, finishing a degree in creative writing. Feel free to send any reflections on the 2016-’17 school year to theda.berry@dailycardinal.com.
Incoming editor-in-chief Madeline Heim prepares for the year ahead
There’s something about The Daily Cardinal that feels like home. It’s something in the way dozens of unpaid staff members stream into the office for hours on end, hungry to be a part of good journalism in action. We feel it when our news team hits the street together to cover a protest, when a pack of sportswriters settles in for pizza and advice from their editors, when our copy chiefs are up late to make sure every sentence is as clean as we want it to be.
For me, it’s felt that way from the start—even three years ago when I used to rush straight to the newsroom after covering a student government meeting, every so often giving a timid wave to the management team at the desks where incoming managing editor Andrew Bahl and I will now sit.
As I’ve made my way from writer to college news editor to editor-in-chief, the paper has grown with me. It made huge strides even in just the last year, where we’ve had another three solid action project issues, learned more about refining our online product in the age of digital news and celebrated our 125th birthday.
And although Andrew and I are just one small chapter in a story that began in 1892, we look forward to keeping our best traditions alive and simultaneously pushing our tireless staff toward greater excellence with every headline, page layout and photograph.
To our readers, you can expect energetic and thoughtful coverage of critical campus issues. You can count on this paper to accurately provide the information you need to make decisions about what your time here will look like.
We ask you, as always, to read what we write. Pick up a copy off the stands and finish the crossword. Go online and learn about UW’s role in the state budget process; find a new favorite song from the arts desk’s record routines; share it all on social media. Use it to start conversations and engage with others around you in the pursuit of an inclusive campus that everyone can call home.
This sifting and winnowing for truth—we’re in it together.
Madeline is a junior majoring in creative writing and journalism. Please send all comments to madeline.heim@dailycardinal.com.
