It’s that time of year again: the last issue of the Waltonian is now on shelves, and the senior staff members are walking towards Walton Hall to pick up their final issue. Mixed emotions flood the air as their names appear in print for the final time in the Waltonian: Happiness, because of the phenomenal job that the staff has done; yet sadness, because leaving is never easy. However, as the senior editors pass on their roles to someone new and returning staff members step into new roles (or return to prior ones) the Waltonian’s future is looking very bright.
The Editor-in-Chief role will be filled by rising Senior, Lauren Murphy. Murphy is a Youth Ministry major, and has been involved with the Waltonian since her freshman year. She started as a staff writer before taking on the role of Features editor during her sophomore year and Opinions Editor during her junior year. Murphy has brought a lot of fresh ideas to the table, and her thorough approach and passion for the paper will doubtlessly lead the Waltonian to even greater heights.
The Editor-In-Chief’s right hand person is the Managing Editor, a role to be filled by rising Senior, Jordan Kolb. Kolb is an English Literature major currently studying abroad in Oxford. Kolb was the Features editor during the Fall 2015 semester. Kolb brought a kind heart and a wide variety of ideas to the Features section, and will undoubtedly bring a wonderful energy as well as wonderful feedback to next year’s staff.
Of course, there would not be a paper without section editors! These positions will be taken over by: rising Senior and History major Russell Risden (News); rising Senior and Philosophy major Madeleine Harris (Features); rising Junior and English Writing major Eliza Brown (Arts & Entertainment); rising Sophomore and English Literature and History double major Anthony Barr (Opinions); and rising Senior and Psychology and English Writing double major Shelly Lister (Sports). All of these new editors have been on the staff previously as staff writers, and have consistently written phenomenal pieces. There is no doubt that they will all produce stellar work as editors as well!
Last, but certainly not least, are the copy editors and photography editor. Due to the amount of work required of a Copy Editor the Waltonian has chosen to bring on two Copy Editors for the new year. Rising Junior and English Writing major SaraGrace Stefan and rising Senior and Spanish major Anastasia Carroll will both be copy editing for the new year. Both of these ladies have written for the Waltonian in the past, and have put forth strong pieces. Even though several of the positions for the coming year are changing there is one returning editor. Rising Senior and Economic Development major Matt Wolek will be returning to his position as Photography Editor. Without Wolek’s photography skills the Waltonian would not look half as stunning as it does.
Author Note: Instead of a regular conclusion I have decided to write a thank you. Thank you to the Waltonian staff for welcoming me with open arms at the beginning of the fall semester. As a first semester freshman I was unaware of what being on a paper like this entailed, and each and every one of you helped me out along the way. While I am sad that I will not be here next semester (seeing as God has other plans for me) I know that the Waltonian will continue to publish cutting edge stories. Again, thank you all.
Love Always,
Bri