Managing editor leaves lasting impression

By Jen Colletta
Collegian Staff
April 25, 2007

When I walked into the Collegian office my freshman year, I had no idea how much of an impact the cramped, cluttered, dingy office would have on my life. My four years on the Collegian staff saw the University go through a myriad of changes and the Collegian undergo some very important transformations; personally, I had the incredible opportunity to experience my own growth through my involvement with the Collegian.

At our first meeting at the end of last year, I remember how quiet and nervous all of the editors were, as we sat around the office, kicking around story ideas and trying to figure out how to run a newspaper. Once we started putting out an issue week after week, all of the editors got the hang of things, and started to come together not just as a staff, but also as friends. We exchanged ridiculous dollar store Christmas gifts, listened to endless renditions of “Old Man Amanda” and one by one gave into Nick Elmer’s cigar-smoking pleas.

This year, more so than my past three on the Collegian, has shown me how important it is to have a supportive group of friends in a working environment. If I ever had a question about something, I felt assured that someone on the staff would be able to help me out, and I hope that the rest of the staff had that same confidence in me. We’ve all dealt with many issues this year that have tested our ability as budding journalists and as student leaders. We’ve spent days and nights that seemed never-ending in the dungeon we call the Collegian office, neglecting our schoolwork and social lives to produce each issue. All of our hard work paid off, however, once we saw the finished product on the stands; it was a testament to our dedication, and it instilled a sense of pride in all of us.

As the countdown to graduation draws closer and closer, the questions and concerns that I have about my future are continuing to mount. I’m unsure of a potential employer, living arrangements and my career path. One thing that I am certain about, however, is that the Collegian will continue to thrive next year. I’m fully confident that we’re leaving the newspaper in extremely capable hands, with editors who understand their duties and who will continue to dedicate themselves to the organization.

To next year’s “top three,” you all have a big responsibility, but I know that it’s something that you can handle together. Each of you has specific talents and skills, and together the three of you will be the best possible leaders that the Collegian could have.

To all of the editors, you all were selected for your positions because of the great potential that your predecessors saw in you. Although the Collegian does have an uncanny ability to take over your life, I know that you’ll all learn to love it as much as the graduating seniors do. Make the most of your time in college and of all of the opportunities that being part of such a great organization like the Collegian will present you with.

To my fellow graduating editors, it’s taken us a long time to get to this point, but we’ve finally made it. For me, graduation is very bittersweet; I know I’ll be proud of my accomplishments when I’m holding my diploma in my hand, but at the same time I don’t want to leave behind all of the friends and memories that I’ve made through my years at La Salle. I’m sure that you’re all experiencing these same mixed emotions, but I know that each of you is going to be very successful in whatever path you choose to follow after graduation. Good luck in all of your endeavors, and I hope that your time with the Collegian taught you all as much as it did me.

And to Editor in Chief Amanda Koehler, without you I never would have been able to carry out my duties as Managing Editor this year. You taught me everything I had to know and were there for me with the answer every time I had a question. I don’t think you even realize how much the entire staff values your leadership; without you at the helm this year, we all would have been lost. You were one of the first people that I met on the Collegian staff freshman year, and you’ve grown so much over the past four years into the confident and talented person you are today. I’m not even going to wish you good luck after graduation because I know that you won’t need it; you’re so ambitious and driven that you’ll be successful in everything you do. I’ll never forget our Tuesday night Market trips and late night walks home; you’ve made this year and my experience with the Collegian amazing, and I’m really going to miss you after graduation!

My four years at La Salle and on the staff of the Collegian have shaped me into who I am today. I wish the entire class of 2007 the best of luck; it’s going to be difficult leaving the safety of the La Salle community, but the lessons we’ve learned and the memories we’ve made here will affect us all for the rest of our lives. Congratulations!

collettaj1@lasalle.edu