Leaving our mark

We said so long and good luck last Friday to my predecessors and people who have inspired me and motivated me since my freshman feet landed at the doors of the Indiana Daily Student. Now, two years later, I get to fill their shoes.

This upcoming fall, I, with my fellow veteran columnist Lexia Banks, will be editing the IDS opinion section.

Though there are many plans she and I have and many things we want to see done, for now I’ll just say I couldn’t be more excited.

Though the IDS is not financially or editorially dependent on IU, it’s a massive proponent and avenue for student voice and activism, and nowhere is that more present than in the Opinion section.

Columnists receive meaningful and thought-provoking emails and commentary about their columns, and many feel when they reach out to an IDS writer they reach out to their University. It is a chance for them to be heard.

As editor, that means I facilitate that interaction. I hope it grows next semester.
I want to create an environment that fosters meaningful dialogue between the University and its students, between the IDS and its readers. This paper has the incredibly powerful ability to make and manipulate change. As editors, myself and those at supervising the other desks are personally responsible for making sure students are heard, and that the things they care about are given their due.

The IDS is extremely important to me. It’s where I’ve learned and grown the most as a writer, professional, team member and person. As I watched the seniors I’ve come to love and respect say their goodbye’s last Friday, I was suddenly struck by the fact we have a finite amount of time in which to make our mark.

If we seize opportunities, surround ourselves with supporters and give ourselves the chance to grow and learn, then we’ll not only make a mark, but we’ll make deep and lasting impressions.

I feel that as a columnist, I have a responsibility to not only voice my opinions, but to make sure the student voice is heard and appreciated. As an editor, I get the power to do so. I get the power to foster talent, to make good people better and, hopefully, to see real change.

We have an enormous responsibility while we are here on this campus to be the best representatives of this University and to make it better for the next generation of students.

I hope next semester Lexia and I will not only make our marks, but also give others the same opportunity  afforded to us – the chance to leave a mark of their own.

If we can accomplish that, then I will consider myself a successful editor of the Opinion section of this publication.

ewenning@indian.edu