The time has come to say goodbye to my favorite thing about UTM, and I really have a lot of feelings.
My journey with the Pacer began a little later in my career as a student than I would like to have started. I really wish I had joined so much sooner. I have so many people to thank for the amazing two years as a Communications major and overall as a student at UTM.
Looking back now, I can’t believe I began college as a Psychology major. I quickly learned that was not my thing. Then, I met Dr. Chris Hill when I had my first British Literature course, and I fell in love with the English Department. His passion for what he was teaching showed me that it is possible to get a degree in something you love and it be worth it in the end. I had so many people tell me that getting a degree in anything that wasn’t in a STEM area of focus was a waste of my time. Dr. Hill showed me that this was quite untrue. You were my first mentor in college, and you really challenged me as student, and I will always be so thankful for the time I’ve gotten to spend in your classes. You introduced me to a time-period of literature I never thought I would love, and taught me to appreciate the thought behind each one.
I grew confident in my writing, and it was Dr. Jeffrey Longacre’s class where I learned that I may be a good writer, but not nearly as good as I have the potential to be. His class made me realize that I should always be my toughest critic. I had never struggled in a writing course before, and boy did I struggle with your class. I came out of it a much better writer thanks to your constructive criticism and the challenge of each paper.
While I loved the English Department, it only took meeting one spunky lady in the Communications Department for me to realize where I really belonged at UTM. Tomi McCutchen is a true gem, a bright purple one that I happened to come across. Meeting you really changed my college experience. I knew that I loved to write, and you introduced me to a different style of writing that I would come to love and value. You’ve taught me how to be a good reporter, editor and coworker. You’ve shown me what a boss should be like. I always saw myself as a weird kid because I found joy in editing and doing the grunt work behind writing; you showed me that there are other weirdos like me and introduced me to a whole world of them. You’ve been my mentor for two years, and I really don’t think I would have survived college without your guidance. There were many things that made me want to quit. You kept pushing me and reminding me that it is all part of the process. You taught me to seek truth, remain objective and tell the whole story. These are things I will carry with me into my career and in life.
The Communication’s Department has introduced me to so many amazing people. I’ve established what I hope are life-long connections with people like Tomi, and Dr. Ogg. I had Dr. Ogg for one class. He continued to support me from there on. I never thought I would interview a celebrity like Van Jones, or intern with a publishing company like Jones Literary, and without you, none of these things would have been possible.
To my staff at The Pacer, I love you guys and gals. You welcomed me with such open arms. I appreciate all of your hard work, flexibility, and dedication. We have had a rough two years together because of the pandemic. I’m so proud of us for pushing through. I hate that we didn’t get to have late layout nights this year. You guys made them so fun, and sometimes we really got into deep conversations that distracted us from our work. I never imagined I would be the executive editor of a newspaper, and I am so thankful for the experience you guys made it for me. I couldn’t have asked for a better staff.
I do have to say thank you to one person on staff in particular. Evan, you have been my struggle buddy for the past two years. We ran the news section together, and then we were co-executive editors. Who would have thought? You’ve been my go-to guy this year, and I have to say that you really have been a life-saver. I had to rely on you quite a bit because of my other jobs, and you were there whenever I needed you.
I know you graduated and are moving on to do big things, but Sarah Knapp I am beyond thankful for the time that I got to have with you on the Pacer. You took me under your wing and showed me how the newsroom worked. You graduated and got a job with the University doing what you loved, and now you’re moving on to such an awesome job. You’ve shown me that it is possible to find a job in journalism right after college, if you just try. You’ve been there for me when I needed to rant, when I was a little too stressed over something meaningless, and when I just needed a new eye on something I was writing. You helped keep me sane this year.
I’m so sad to see my time at UTM come to a close, but I know that all the people I’ve met have helped prepare me for the world I’m now faced with. I’m not going to lie, I’m a little scared. However, when I think about all the things I’ve been through and done while in school, it eases that fear so much. I hope we all stay in touch, and I know we will all go on to do awesome things in life.
