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STAFF FAREWELL
2 April 19, 2021 Staff Farewell | News | Collegiate Health | Sports | Media | Feature | New Staff | Graduation GOODBYE FROM THE WICHITAN'S EDITOR IN CHIEF BRIDGET REILLY
In August of 2015, a brighteyed and bushy-tailed Australian walked onto the campus of Midwestern State University. I came to MSU on a scholarship to run track. It wasn’t, by any means, my first-choice university, but the Spirit of the Universe put Bridget Reilly me on the path to this little town I have made my home. Unfortunately, I fell out of love with track and field — a breakup that haunts me to this day. However, with the end of one relationship,
PHOTO BY NIKO MCWILLIAMS | THE WICHITAN Bridget Reilly, sociology senior and editor in chief of The Wichitan, posing on the Senior Mustangs Statue, April 9.
came another that I couldn’t have dreamed of. In the fall of 2016, I was chatting with a photographer from The Wichitan sharing photos we have taken. He convinced me to meet the editor in chief, Kara McIntyre. I walked into that little storage closet they called an office and the space had an aura like nothing I had ever felt. I joined the organization that day and haven’t looked back.
My journey at The Wichitan goes like this: photographer, photojournalist, chief photographer, photography editor, editor in chief. Never, in a million years, did I think I had any potential to be a writer, let alone lead the organization. Firstly, I am a sociology major and criminal justice minor. I didn’t think other majors could be a part of the newspaper. More than half of our team members are not mass communication majors; we have English, education, political science and kinesiology to name a few. Secondly, I was an athlete. Since when are athletes allowed to do anything but work out and go to class? Whatever you do, no matter who you are, you have a place at The Wichitan.
While professionally I grew to insurmountable heights, personally I grew like the Big Friendly Giant in his pre-adolescent stage. I’ve had my highest highs and my lowest lows while being a member of The Wichitan and not once did the team let me slip away. We are not just an organization or friends who meet on Mondays at 5 p.m. to go over story ideas; we are otters who hold hands when they sleep to prevent themselves from drifting away from the group.
I’ve had the pleasure to see our little ol’ newspaper grow and thrive. From the storage closet to our very own office, upstairs in the Fain Fine Arts building (D201), we now have a view of the campus and state-of-the-art software to go with it. This wouldn’t have been possible without the tenacity and drive of the mass communication department. Not to name names, but if you’re ever in the building and run into the Dean of Fain Fine Arts Martin Camacho, Chair of the mass communication department, Jim Sernoe, professor of mass communication, Jonathon Quam, or Studio Director Lisa Thames, you have come across MSU royalty and should bow at their feet. These human beings are the backbone of our organization, and we could not be who we are or run without them.
All of this is a testament to just how much time, effort and love the students and advisors at The Wichitan put in to making you one of their own and helping you build and learn along the way. I have made connections here, I have met my (hold on, my eyes are leaking) best friends here and I have become the woman I am today, here. I am ready to spread my wings.
PHOTO BY ABIGAIL JONES | THE WICHITAN Bridget Reilly, editor in chief of The Wichitan, and her dog, Jack, Jan 30.
They helped mend and grow, and fly to my next destination. I don’t know where I’ll end up, but I do know that every little thing I have learned (besides the oxford comma rule) will guide me to the right place.
It has been an honor serving as the Midwestern State University newspaper editor in chief, and I wish the new team all the breaking news stories and awards they can get. With love,
Bridget Reilly
PHOTO BY AMOS PERKINS | THE WICHITAN Bridget Reilly, editor in chief of The Wichitan, co-hosting on Mustangs On Air Live, April 14.
Vol. 85 | No. 15 Midwestern State University Fain Fine Arts Bldg., Room D201 3410 Taft Blvd. | Wichita Falls, Texas 76308 (940) 397-4704 wichitan@msutexas.edu | thewichitan.com @wichitanonline EDITOR IN CHIEF: Bridget Reilly MANAGING EDITOR: Amos Perkins NEWS EDITOR: Stephanie Robledo DESIGN EDITOR: Omar Combie BUSINESS MANAGER: Alexis Martin ISSUE STAFF: Emily Beaman, Ryan Clayton, Thalia Doe, Bailey Graham, Shunde Hooks, Abigail Jones, Elizabeth Mahan, Niko McWilliams, Joseph Nelson, Khirstia Sheffield, Dallas Wabbington ADVISOR: Jonathon Quam
Copyright ©2021. First copy free. Additional copies $1.00 each. The Wichitan is a member of the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and the Associated Collegiate Press. The Wichitan reserves the right to edit any material submitted for publication. Opinions expressed in The Wichitan do not necessarily reflect those of the students, staff, faculty, administration or Board of Regents of Midwestern State University. The Wichitan welcomes letters of opinion from students, faculty and staff submitted by the Friday before intended publication. Letters should be brief (250 words or fewer) and without abusive language or personal attacks. Letters must be typed and signed by the writer and include a email address, telephone number and address.
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Graduating staff members share their experiences working at The Wichitan
PHOTO COURTESY OF LEO GONZALEZ Khirstia Sheffield, mass communication senior, posing at a photoshoot, March 20.
PHOTO COURTESY OF ELIZABETH MAHAN | THE WICHITAN Elizabeth Mahan, English senior, poses with a graduation hat, April 11.
KHIRSTIA SHEFFIELD FEATURE EDITOR
To The Wichitan, thank you. Thank you for pushing me into becoming a better writer and thank you for broadening my horizons and forcing me to step outside of my tiny little comfort zone. Facing The Wichitan my sophomore year was scary. I was young, immature and honestly afraid of what was yet to come. I remember telling my mom, “I don’t know if I’m built for this. I’m not ready. I’m so scared,” but little did I know I would fall in love with writing by telling the passionate stories of others through my own eyes and experiences.
I’m glad I didn’t let my own fears stop me, because The Wichitan has become a part of my family, and these people that come in and out of those doors are amazing. They light up any room they walk in. They are so passionate about what they do, and that passion and drive only pushes me to produce my best work. Because of this team, I found part of myself, I found what I want to do for the rest of my life and I found my confidence. I’m thankful to have this organization be a part of my college experience, and, as hard as it is to say goodbye, I am so proud of the work that we’ve done together. I’ve been able to interview people I probably would have been afraid to approach two years ago and I’ve been able to share people’s stories that needed to be heard. There’s no greater joy than giving the voiceless a voice.
Looking back on that young girl who tilted her head down when asked to join The Wichitan because she wasn’t confident in her writing skills. Looking at the woman I am today, I can say The Wichitan helped shape me. It wasn’t always easy juggling between my course work and making time to interview people, but it was so worth it. I am a better writer, I am a better listener and I know I can take over this industry and shine bright. For that, I will forever be grateful.
Thank you for your support, thank you for your inspiration and thank you for helping me find that spark that I thought I never had.
ELIZABETH MAHAN REPORTER
During my freshman year in January 2019, I stumbled into publishing with The Wichitan because I wanted to get a good grade on my very first news story for Bradley Wilson’s class. After reading my whole story in less than a minute, Wilson sent my story to the newsroom to be edited and published. When I became more actively involved in 2020 and 2021, it was because I fell in love with not only journalism but also all the driven people at The Wichitan who work hard every week to bring MSU students quality news. I admire The Wichitan staff members not only because they give nothing less than their best for every story, every photo and every publication design; but also because they are genuinely kind people, and the hilarious newsroom banter is sometimes the highlight of my day. The staff is the only group of people I know who can have a lively debate over the color green in a headline or a punctuation rule. I’ve always thought I wanted to be a journalist because I wanted to bring the community together with my writing. Writing for The Wichitan this year has reminded me of another reason why spending numerous hours on a story is rewarding. When I interview people, and I see the passion in their eyes or hear the certainty or love for what they do in their voice, I get to write that down. I am one of the lucky people who gets to document people’s pride and joy so that they can look back on their own words one day and know they were a part of something special. When I go on to pursue a journalism career, I know the field will come with many challenges, but I’m hoping there will always be those people, interviewees, and members of the staff, that make the hard work worth it. MSU has been my home for the past three years, and my college experience wouldn’t have been the same without The Wichitan.
Goodbye MSU newsroom and thank you for the memories.
STUDENT GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION NAMES AUSTIN STRODE AS PRESIDENT
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN STRODE Austin Strode, economics junior and SGA president elect, standing by the “Spirit of the Mustangs” pond.
PHOTO COURTESY OF AUSTIN STRODE Austin Strode, economics junior and SGA president elect, poses for a photo.
STEPHANIE ROBLEDO NEWS EDITOR
The search for the new Student Government Association has ended. During Stangfest, Austin Strode, economics junior, was named the new SGA president.
“I’m most excited about working with the student body to help improve MSU,” Strode said.
Strode has followed his excitement and has already begun working with students by speaking to them. With student input Strode has come up with ideas to better the campus for students.
“I have a list of programs and changes that I’ve gotten from students from speaking with students,” Strode said. “Some goals are as small as just hosting a one-day event. Others are as big that hopefully will move past my term as president.”
Strode is ready to make his ideas into a reality. Creating a community is Strode’s greatest goal. He hopes to bring together students and faculty while promoting inclusivity.
“My main goals for next year are to help improve communication with the students and the faculty on campus and promote inclusion and diversity on campus,” Strode said.
Since being named SGA president Strode has been learning the ropes. He is learning the ins and outs of SGA and all the responsibilities that come with being president.
“Right now, we are still transitioning into our positions and learning how SGA runs from an executive position,” Strode said.
Getting the hang of things has come to be a bit of a challenge for Strode but he is willing to take it head-on. He says it helps to have a great executive board and other resources available to help him.
“The biggest challenge I see is learning how everything works. I hope to get working ASAP, and luckily I have a great executive bored and plenty of resources on campus to help me overcome this,” Strode said.
Besides the challenges that come with being SGA president, Strode’s is ready to make changes for the better on campus. He says that just like himself SGA is excited to start working.
“SGA is very excited to begin working on some important issues on campus,” Strode said.
