To the readers of the East Tennessean,

I would like to start out by expressing my gratitude for my friend and colleague who held the position of executive editor before me, Kate Trabalka. Kate will be attending the Missouri School of Journalism in the fall, pursuing a master’s degree in journalism.

During her senior year at ETSU, she served as the executive editor of the East Tennessean, a coach for the Liberty Bell Middle School dance team, an instructor at The Dance Company, a member of ETSU’s dance team, as well as a fine and performing arts scholar with the ETSU Honors College. Her leadership and commitment to our university is prevalent in the dedication to academics and extracurricular activities. 

Allison Winters, incoming East Tennessean executive editor. (Contributed by Allison Winters/East Tennessean)

Kate set the precedent for what it means to be an executive editor. During the pandemic, she attended every production day and worked overtime to ensure the newspaper still got produced. She has covered breaking news and important issues that have transposed on or about our campus, including protests, marches, COVID-19 updates and other information important to students. I would not have been half as informed about campus life if it was not for Kate’s exceptional and timely journalism skills.

Although I will never be the same kind of executive editor Kate was, I can only hope to continue to serve the East Tennessean as faithfully as she has. I hope to be able to bring the same joy and optimism that Kate brings any time she walks into the newsroom. 

I have worked with the East Tennessean for almost two years now, writing arts and entertainment articles, but I have covered stories ranging from features on professors to live performances from a former “America’s Got Talent” contestant. I have met incredible people during my time as a writer and drastically improved my journalistic skills through my assignments.

My goal for the 2021-2022 school year is simple: I would like for the East Tennessean to be a common space where students feel like their stories are heard and recognized. As we enter into a modified Stage 4 plan in the fall, more students will be welcomed back to campus as they feel comfortable. 

It is interesting to note that this upcoming school year will be a year of firsts for many students. Incoming freshmen will have their first year of college in-person, whereas sophomores might have not even got the chance to set foot on campus yet. Juniors will get the chance to fully experience the renovated D.P. Culp Student Center, while seniors conclude their time observing ETSU’s transformation from the start of their journey to now.

The ETSU Martin Center for the Arts will welcome more guests in the fall, and the opening of University Commons will promote campus community and bring back a sense of normalcy.

I am committed as your next East Tennessean executive editor to be transparent, efficient and accessible. I want the East Tennessean to not only be your source of campus news, but a part of your college experience. The East Tennessean should be visible and involved in the community on and off campus, and I look forward to bringing that vision to life in the coming months.  

I wish Kate the best in her future endeavors, and I am thankful for the path she and other former executive editors have paved for me. I am excited to embrace the challenges and joys of what is to come for ETSU in the 2021-2022 school year.