One would think that after copy editing countless articles this year and last, writing a cogent lede would be second nature. It's impossible to boil my experiences at The Lamron down to 35 words, however.
Four long years ago, as a soul-searching Geneseo freshman, I had no idea what to do with my life. I toyed with business administration and math education as majors. Then, in a timid move to become more involved on campus, I joined the staff of The Lamron as a photographer, eventually writing sports articles my sophomore year.
My junior year, I got my feet wet on the editorial board as sports editor. I had heard horror stories of editors getting out of the office late, but only when I trudged home at 5 a.m. after completing my first section did I truly understand how much work goes into each and every issue. It was also during this first week that I, ever the goofy insomniac, realized how much fun it could be.
I threw myself head first into the sports editor position and was fortunate enough to be able to do the same as editor-in-chief this year. Have I accomplished everything I wanted to during my time on e-board? Not by a long shot. But nothing compares to racing to campus each Thursday to pick up a fresh copy of The Lamron and immediately seeing a palpable validation of a week of hard work.
In the past two years, I've relished in the mayhem of production on Wednesday nights (well, Thursday mornings) 48 times, this issue being my last. I'd be lying if I said this wasn't bittersweet.
I've agonized over the oh-so-obvious typos that made it into print, however miniscule they may have been, and beamed with pride every time I noticed someone perusing a copy of the paper.
I've been exasperated by inane, off-topic, runaway conversations at e-board meetings, but quietly appreciated their hilarity more often than not.
And I've cherished the countless opportunities afforded to me by working on the paper: a photo I took being selected to adorn the doors outside the hockey rink, having breakfast at the Campus House with the College-Community Council; attending two local collegiate journalism conferences and networking with fellow journalism junkies; meeting and getting to know people from all backgrounds while writing articles; covering the 2009 mtvU Woodie Awards in New York City with incoming Editor-in-Chief Julie McMahon and staying at 2008-09 Editor-in-Chief Dan Skahen's apartment while in the Big Apple - a great example of the camaraderie our e-board enjoys.
Being able to pour my heart and soul into Geneseo's 87-year-old student newspaper has been an unbelievable opportunity, and I wish I could have done it forever. It's tough to let go of something you love, but I'm confident that The Lamron will continue to grow and thrive under the direction of Julie and future editors-in-chief.
To the readers: Thank you for your support of The Lamron. However self-serving this column may be, the real reason we exist as a newspaper is to serve you, and an ever-growing readership reassures me that that mission is succeeding.
To fellow students: Get involved with The Lamron! I started as a walk-in photographer my freshman year; it's easy and rewarding to contribute to the paper. Nothing matches seeing your name in print for the first time.
And, finally, to future Lamron E-boards: When I come back to visit Geneseo in five or 10 or 20 years, I fully expect the paper to be fresh-to-death.