Letter from the editor: You can count on us

Last year, Technician took a turn for the serious.

While Technician has a rich and varied history, student publications ebb and flow as far as the quality of content they produce throughout the years. That’s the nature of what we do given the frequent turnover and the fact that college students aren’t exactly known for their gravitas.

But in the last year, Technician exceeded the expectations most have for student newspapers. Part of that was pure timing. NC State had a monumental year, for better or for worse, and our staff did what they always do — reported the news. But our reporters didn’t merely stumble upon big issues on campus, they ran toward those stories with the hunger and drive that great journalism requires.

Others took note. Whether it be letters to the editors, compliments from seasoned reporters or simply a Reddit comment, Technician received some of the most positive feedback it’s gotten in recent memory. It’s not that this was the first time Technician was doing good work, it’s that people started paying attention.

I’m proud to have been a part of this effort as the news editor of Vol. 104. The chaotic days of breaking news and long nights of editing stories with Vol. 104’s senior leadership, Jameson Wolf, Ethan Bakogiannis and Emily Vespa, are not only some of my favorite memories, but some of the most rewarding professional experiences I’ll ever have. The work we did undoubtedly pioneered a new path forward for Technician’s future.

I’m even more proud to continue the mission and carry on this legacy as Vol. 105’s editor-in-chief.

Technician represents over a century of student journalism at NC State, so while I’m excited to get started, I also begin this journey with the solemnity that it deserves. The NC State community deserves the best version of Technician, and I’m prepared to offer that.

I want Technician to be a place students, alumni, faculty and staff rely on. The “turn for the serious” Technician found itself taking last year resulted in many folks trusting us as a legitimate publication, and I don’t want to take that trust for granted. There’s a few things I can promise you, the readers, will be able to count on Technician offering to you this year.

You can count on Technician to deliver you accurate, timely and exclusive breaking news in a thoughtful and deliberate manner.

You can count on Technician to showcase creative stories that reflect the diverse range of identities, interests and passions of our students.

You can count on Technician to bring unique perspectives and opinions that drive public discourse on our campus.

You can count on Technician to continue to relentlessly cover every NC State sporting event with a profound respect for the Wolfpack’s athletic legacy.

You can count on Technician to provide compelling visual content that accurately tells the stories of those in our student body.

Most importantly, you can count on Technician to be a beacon of truth, a voice for students and an institution rooted in transparency, accountability and journalistic integrity.

Last year, Technician took a turn for the serious, and we’re not turning back now.