Whether you’re reading this in our weekly print edition or online (in that case, kudos to you for actively seeking out this column), you’re participating in the century-old Ohio University tradition of reading The Post.
There are probably a few things you should know about us. We’ve been on campus for more than 110 years, we’ve changed our name several times over the past century (The Daily Yell is still my personal favorite) and we’re run entirely by students.
But l won’t bore you with all the details. I haven’t even introduced myself yet.
My name is Lauren Fisher. I’m a lifetime Ohioan, born and raised in Cincinnati. In other words, I have some staunch opinions putting chili on spaghetti, I think every year is “our year” for the Bengals to get past the first round of the playoffs and, even though I’m lactose intolerant, I’ll still eat Graeter's ice cream by the pint.
Last year, I juggled coverage of university administration and student life as The Post’s assistant news editor. I’ve been into the whole journalism thing since my sophomore year of high school, when I reluctantly joined our student newspaper purely because the creative writing class had filled up. According to my guidance counselor, I needed an elective if I ever wanted to graduate.
Truth be told, I hated journalism. Hated it. In my young and stubborn eyes, it was too cold and calculated. Nobody was about to tell me that there was a formula for writing a story or that I had to keep my opinions to myself when writing about, say, price increases in the cafeteria.
But opinions can and do change. As time went on, I began to realize the vital role of an honest and objective free press in democracy (which might sound like public relations for the journalism school, but I promise it’s true). I caught the bug, so to speak, and suddenly, I was watching Spotlight three times a month and joining the campus paper as soon as I arrived at OU.
This year, I can’t wait to set a course that’ll take The Post to new and exciting places. While we’ll still be The Post you all know and love, we want to be more than just your campus newspaper.
Now more than ever, amid a time of turbulence and distrust with the press so often in the center of the conversation, we are reminded of the importance of reporting in-depth, factually accurate stories that pack a punch and hold authority accountable.
That’s why this year, The Post is proud to welcome its first-ever investigative staff. Led by former news editor Bailey Gallion, this team of seasoned reporters will dive deep into the stories that matter most to OU and Athens. They’ll handle our most sensitive topics, ask bold questions and work tirelessly to bring you the news you need.
This week, check out Ashton Nichols’ page eight story, which delves into the use — or disuse, rather — of the blue light system on campus.
I can only hope that you’re just as excited as I am about the year to come. The Post will be with you every step of the way, just as we have been from the start.
Lauren Fisher is a senior studying journalism and the editor-in-chief of The Post. Want to talk to Lauren? Email her at lf966614@ohio.edu or tweet her @lauren__fisher.
