As the weeks of this semester have counted down, so too have the weeks of my times as the executive editor of the East Tennessean.
Becoming the editor of the ET has been the culmination of my time with the paper.
Now, I have the somewhat painful task of closing the door on something that has been a part of my life for the past three years.
Sitting here writing this, I am reminded of the song “Friends” by Michael W. Smith and I cannot think of a more perfect song to describe this time in my life or my experiences at the ET.
The opening lines of the song describe how I am feeling right now. “Packing up the dreams God planted in the fertile soil of you. I can’t believe the hopes he’s granted means a chapter in your life is through.” As I approach the end of my college career, I am packing up my dreams and getting them ready to become not my dreams, but my realities.
The next lines of the song describe the way I feel about the people who have become part of my ET family. “But we’ll keep you close, as always. It won’t even seem you’ve gone. Because our hearts in big and small ways will keep the love that keeps us strong.” Each and every one of you I’ve grown to love will always be a part of my life.
The song goes on to describe how friends will always care for each other. That wonderful kind of friendship is the same kind of friendship that I have been fortunate enough to share with many people from this wonderful paper.
I want to thank everyone I’ve worked with, but even if I took up this entire edition, it still would not be enough space to show my gratitude to you all.
Martha – You have taught me so much in the time that I have known you. You have been not only a teacher, but a friend and guiding light as well. You have helped me to become the writer that I am. And by the way, I really did seriously consider not coming back from New Orleans.
Candy – You are the glue that holds the office together. So much of the time, your hard work goes unappreciated. I want to thank you for all that you do to make our lives easier. Oh, and Candy, can’t you park outside like everyone else? Thank you for being such a good-natured person to joke around with.
Thanks to those who came before me – Keisha, Chelsea, Corey, Scott Foshie, Chuck, et al – for making me feel at home on the ET staff when I started and for showing me the ropes.
Thanks to my editorial staff this semester – Erika, Whitney, Michael, Chris, Josh and Nicole. It has been your hard work this semester that has made the paper look as good as it has.
Michael – You have done wonders with our sports section. It looks better than it ever has. You have shown our students that ETSU has more teams than just the football and basketball teams. Good luck in track and all that you do in life. And, I still say people shouldn’t run unless they are being chased.
Whitney – Your hard work really shows. The Lifestyles section has really shined this semester. At the beginning of the semester you had some difficulties because of a lack of writers, but you made do with what you had and came out ahead. Good luck in life, I know you’ll do well. And, by the way, I’m going to take your computer with me when I leave the office.
Chris – You really worked hard at perfection for the photography side of the newspaper. I appreciate that. Don’t work too hard and take some time off for yourself – you can’t do everything. Good luck in whatever you choose to accomplish. Like I said, take some time off and relax, maybe take in a comedy show.
Josh – Our web site (shameless plug: http://www.easttennessean.com ) has continued to improve under your guidance and hard work. You’ve made our site one of the best on the web. I know you will succeed at whatever you put your mind to. I will probably see you in New Orleans.
Nicole – You came in when we needed you the most and took over the job of copy editor. You didn’t have to do it, but you did and I thank you so much for that. Good luck in the future with whatever you chose to do. Alpha Xi Delta is lucky to have a sister like you among it’s ranks.
Erika – You came through for the paper in a hard time last semester and this semester you continued that trend of excellence you began then. Congratulations on being selected as executive editor for the spring. I have faith in you and your ability to lead this paper where it needs to go. Give it wings and make it fly. You are a wonderful person and a great friend.
Good luck in all that you do and I hope my child (when and if I have one) is lucky enough to have you as a teacher. And, five times a night, it will ring, I swear.
Thanks to Amanda, our advertising manager. Your work at selling ads has helped keep the ET alive and running. Good luck in life. I didn’t get to know you as well as I would like to have, but I do know that you are a wonderful person.
Thanks to Chris Vaughn for all your hard work getting the ET to the racks so students can read it. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed.
Thanks to all of the writers, photographers, ad reps and our lone editorial cartoonist for working so hard this semester. We couldn’t make this paper without you
And in closing, I would like to quote Michael W. Smith one last time:
“And friends are friends forever, if the Lord’s the lord of them. And a friend will not say never, because the welcome will not end. Though it’s hard to let you go, in the Father’s hands we know, that a lifetime’s not too long to live as friends.

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