College journalism turnover brings new opportunities

As with any college organization, program, etc., run by students, turnover is a constant. Students graduate, transfer, drop out and lose interest. Creating a cohesive unit that can withstand these transitions is a difficult and imprecise process.

Add to this the volatile nature of journalism as it tries to find itself in a communications world that places a premium on ease of access instead of quality of content, and it is easy to see why producing a quality college newspaper is difficult.

Over the past two years, the East Texan newspaper staff has grown incredibly close, developing a bond that resembles a family more than simply a group of co-workers. So when managing editor Jessica Rush graduated last semester, we were proud of her accomplishments and sad to see her go.

Jessica was a talented writer and television host whose diverse talents were invaluable to our publication. Yet, it was her enthusiasm for the newsroom culture that really endeared her to us. "JRush" always kept us organized by reminding us of deadlines, color-coding our story schedule, and frequently interpreting our editor James Bright's chicken scratch. She'll be missed.

The role of managing editor is a challenge that I'm looking forward to. My vocational goal is to be the editor of a major metropolitan newspaper and, while that is certainly a lofty dream, this is another step in that direction.

The East Texan has grown by leaps and bounds over the past few years, but we certainly have a long way to go. As we enjoy the burgeoning growth of online media sources and outlets, such as Twitter, podcasts, etc., we will continue to meet head-on the struggle of print media as it faces a potentially fatal time.

It's never easy to be a college journalist, balancing deadlines with classwork and other jobs. But I'm surrounded by a group of talented people whose support I've never lacked, and I'm sure that I'll find a way to survive and flourish.