IDS, Arbutus editors selected

The summer and fall Indiana Daily Student editors were announced Tuesday afternoon by Interim-News Adviser and Publisher Nancy Comiskey. The 2003-04 Arbutus editor was announced on Monday. \nCurrent Managing Editor Cory Schouten, a junior, was named fall editor in chief and current senior writer, junior Ben Cunningham, was named summer editor-in-chief, both by unanimous votes by the Board of Publications, made up of both student and professional journalists and a faculty representative. Both candidates ran unopposed.\nCunningham, who has previously served as a designer, design chief, visual coordinator, sports editor and region editor, discussed how he hopes to keep students informed of breaking news despite the fact that the summer edition only comes out on Mondays and Thursdays.\n"Ben has lots of innovative ideas for the summer IDS," Comiskey said. "His plans for using the Web site to break news between publication days will give reporters valuable experience and keep readers up to date on what's happening on campus and in the community."\nCunningham also stressed the importance of understanding all parts of creating a newspaper, including design, editing and writing.\n"I hope to get the staff more involved in other aspects of the newspaper because, personally, I think my background in different parts of the paper has really helped me," he said. \nPublications board member and General Assignments Editor Katie Schoenbaechler said she feels his experience in design, reporting and editing will benefit him in leading the staff. \n"The summer IDS is a whole different animal, but Ben has great ideas and knows the IDS inside and out," she said. "He's worked in almost every position at the paper, so he knows what he's doing."\nSchouten, who previously has served as a beat reporter, senior writer, assistant design chief and campus editor, said he has worked towards earning this position since his freshman year.\nSchouten said he will maintain the success and integrity of the paper mostly with the help of others.\n"I'm excited about the opportunity and look forward to selecting another talented and dedicated staff," he said.\nIn addition, Schouten said he hopes to improve the IDS by appointing an art director and by encouraging more creative storytelling in articles.\nComiskey said Schouten is more than qualified for the job.\n"Cory is a tenacious reporter and a compelling writer who will continue to build on the successes of his past two semesters as managing editor," she said. "A great idea person, he has the commitment and the enthusiasm to bring those ideas to fruition."\nPublications board member and Opinion Editor George Lyle IV said the fact that Schouten and Cunningham were the only candidates should not undermine their qualifications.\n"The two candidates were very capable of taking the IDS' mantle and I'm sure the newspaper will continue to flourish under their watch," he said.\nOverall, Comiskey said she believes Schouten and Cunningham are the best people for the jobs.\n"Both Cory and Ben are proven leaders in the newsroom who will continue the Daily Student's award-winning tradition," she said. "And each has innovative ideas that should give readers a surprise or two."\nAfter an introductory speech and questions from the board and audience, Kathryn Griffin was chosen as the most well-equipped for the job of Arbutus editor. \n"Katie's three years of experience at the Arbutus and the Indiana Daily Student will serve her well next year as editor," Comiskey said. "She's a fine photographer and is well grounded in the Arbutus'' award-winning traditions."\nThe publications board, consisting of two student and three faculty representatives, chose Griffin above one other experienced employee. Arbutus student representative, Alaina Byers, said both candidates did a good job answering questions, but nevertheless a decision needed to be made.\n"In the end it was a matter of leadership and what they could bring to the book," Byers said.\nComiskey also seemed impressed by some of Griffin's answers. \n"She shared some good ideas on how to build on her success for next year," Comiskey said.\nGriffin said she has already started on many ideas for next year but needs some time to sort them all out. \n"The first and foremost thing will be finding a staff," she said. "I need to find people that will be complementing my abilities."\nServing as photo editor this year and working the past three years for both the IDS and the Arbutus, Griffin has plenty of experience that will help drive the Arbutus next year. \n"Being photo editor, I have a lot of influence on what goes on in the book," she said. "I am excited about this opportunity."\nWorking with Griffin for the past two years, Byers had an idea of some of her qualities that will shine through the upcoming publication. \n"She's very visual," Byers said. "She's a photographer, so she knows what photos will tell a story."\nComiskey added that she likes the fact that Griffin works with both the IDS and the Arbutus and said it will help build a bridge between the two student publications. \n"The fact that Katie has worked at both the Arbutus and the Daily Student will help her continue to build the relationship between the two," she said.