Message from Lead Alumni Director Dan Gingiss

A MESSAGE FROM DAN GINGISS ‘96

In many ways, the DP of today is much like the DP of yesteryear. Students still spend their days (and nights!) covering news stories, dissecting all of the sports matchups, opining on what the University should be doing but isn’t, digging deep into meaningful cultural issues, and evaluating the latest in entertainment. Photographers still snap photos, designers still lay out pages, copy editors still correct mistakes, and the business team still manages advertising, marketing, and circulation among others.

In other ways, the DP of today is nothing like the DP of yesteryear. There are only two print editions each week – one of The Daily Pennsylvanian and one of 34th Street. Everything else is completely digital. There are Board positions for video, podcasts, social media, and consulting. Advertising revenue is a fraction of what it once was, and there continues to be a major push to identify new sources of revenue.

One thing that is more true today than ever before: The DP needs YOU in order to be successful. Yeah YOU, who undoubtedly has great memories of what shaped not only your college life, but probably your entire career. I went into the business world, but there’s not a day that has gone by where I haven’t used the writing and editing skills I learned at the paper.

There are two main ways that alumni can be a part of today’s DP:

• Financial contributions. There is no question that the future of our beloved institution will rely on philanthropy. It’s just a different business model and we’re never going back to the old days of huge national ad revenue dollars. If the DP meant as much to you as it has to so many others, please consider contributing regularly and generously to ensure its future viability and to allow the students of today (and tomorrow) to experience what we all experienced.

• In-kind contributions. Alumni involvement in the DP comes in many forms, including reviewing publications and giving feedback, sharing your knowledge at training sessions and the annual Marquez Conference, participating in an alumni committee (there are ones for journalists and non-journalists), serving on the Daily

Pennsylvanian Alumni Association (DPAA) board, and more. Time investment can be as little as a single project or as much as several hours a month.

In the 8+ years that I have served in the DPAA and now the Board of Directors, I have so enjoyed giving back to an organization that gave so much to me. There’s never been a better time to get involved. I hope you’ll join us!

Dan Gingiss ‘96

Lead Alumni Director, The Daily Pennsylvanian Board of Directors