2008 Woodie Awards
When the job becomes a drug, it's hard to quit
by Bronson Pettitt
Issue date: 5/1/08
Section: Voices
This is it: my last spatter of ink on this beloved rag of journalism.
It hasn't sunk in yet how much I'll miss this job. As I write this, I'm ecstatic to be done. To unload that elephant of responsibility off my shoulders will be a relief, but soon, I'll be fully aware how much this job has become a part of me these past four years.
I'll need it, crave it, miss it: like a drug.
Side effects may include: sending pages to the printer at 5:30 a.m., sleeping under a desk, arriving late to class, begging for extensions and worrying about passing, slamming coffee to function, listening to frequent complaints, putting up with the "I'm not going to get my story in....", catching grief for typos, sorting through hundreds of worthless press releases and doing it all again, week after week.
Those were the low points, the most exasperating times as editor, but in turn all the high points and rewards justified wading through the stress.
More than anything, my time at the Reporter was best spent with the people I came to befriend and admire: they became my brothers and sisters, parents and uncles, cousins and best buds. Those were the high points of the job, but unlike the highs drugs give, those highs will last a lifetime.
Admittedly, this job can act as a vacuum - sucking you away from classes and a life outside the office. But dammit, it's been worth it. It doesn't work for everyone, but for me it has. I found my place in this university. Ultimately, that's been the most rewarding thing: fitting in where you belong. To find our niche, our drug, and take advantage of it, makes our short time here worthwhile.
I feel satisfied with my time here, but it wouldn't have been possible without these people; thanks to:
Rachel: your spirt and laughter helped me stay sane this year. You're a pleasure to work with and the jokes will never end.
Derek: you're the most organized and efficient editor I've seen. Help others learn those talents when you're editor-in-chief. You'll do a great job, but when it gets tough, remember, it's only a job.
Tyler: hard-working, passionate and confident; you carried Sports in a new direction and you've improved mountains. Stay focused and don't burn out as managing editor.
Nia: you have a quiet, admirable determination that will make you an excellent news editor. Josh: a great writer lies behind your goofy character. Ali: you're fun to work with and your optimism is contagious. Brittney: you're the hardest-working writer on staff and I hope you continue to be a dedicated and responsible journalist. Ray: you are better than many professionals, and I appreciate your reliability and passion. Dannie: thanks for being the only frosh to step up and courageously pursue reporting.
Jane Tastad: thanks for genuinely caring about us - you make the office comfortable. Dana: you can solve every problem. Sorry for all those last-minute page changes and the 4 a.m. pagination emergencies. Jane Kolars: thanks for the encouragement and kind words.
The writers and photographers who came to meetings, wrote stories, respected deadlines and made efforts to improve.
John Gaterud: The Reporter's long-time advisor, we've turned to you for ethical/grammatical/journalistic advice. Thanks for challenging us, advising us and believing in us. Your journey is only beginning. The roads you'll take will make "all the difference," and I hope your time post-MSU is enjoyable.
Ellen Mrja: thanks for your support and sense of humor. Kudos for taking the initiative to start your own "journalism 2.0" class - something that should be adapted into the mass communications department next year.
Adjunct faculty: Pete Steiner, Jim Gullickson and Rachel Hanel. Your help goes unrecognized but your practical experience is a great asset to students.
Kellian Clink: I wish other faculty had as much confidence in students as you do. Thanks for your guidance and encouragement, and hopefully the honors minor will be revived.
Wayne Allen: your rants have encouraged me to look at life from different perspectives (students: take one of his classes before you graduate).
To those who help me stay sane: Abid, Ahmed, Amanda, Ben, Carlo, Eric, Ifti, Gregg, Jenna, Kellie, Mike, Nirish, Sid and Stacy.
To those who have inspired me: Tanner, Myron, Emmeline, Andrew and Jon.
To those I'm forgetting: I'll thank you later.
To those who read the Reporter: you make our work worthwhile, and with Derek Wehrwein as editor, the paper is going to change and improve drastically.
Mexico: thanks for changing my life. I'll be back for you soon.
Isaac, Nick, Vanessa, Jason, Kristie, Grandpa, Grandma: thanks for your love.
Mom: thanks for raising us, putting up with us and being there - it hasn't been easy, but I'm blessed to have a parent like you. I know you have the courage and passion to be strong.
Dad: I miss you, and if Heaven exists, save a beer for me.
Bronson Pettitt is the outgoing Reporter editor-in-chief
It hasn't sunk in yet how much I'll miss this job. As I write this, I'm ecstatic to be done. To unload that elephant of responsibility off my shoulders will be a relief, but soon, I'll be fully aware how much this job has become a part of me these past four years.
I'll need it, crave it, miss it: like a drug.
Side effects may include: sending pages to the printer at 5:30 a.m., sleeping under a desk, arriving late to class, begging for extensions and worrying about passing, slamming coffee to function, listening to frequent complaints, putting up with the "I'm not going to get my story in....", catching grief for typos, sorting through hundreds of worthless press releases and doing it all again, week after week.
Those were the low points, the most exasperating times as editor, but in turn all the high points and rewards justified wading through the stress.
More than anything, my time at the Reporter was best spent with the people I came to befriend and admire: they became my brothers and sisters, parents and uncles, cousins and best buds. Those were the high points of the job, but unlike the highs drugs give, those highs will last a lifetime.
Admittedly, this job can act as a vacuum - sucking you away from classes and a life outside the office. But dammit, it's been worth it. It doesn't work for everyone, but for me it has. I found my place in this university. Ultimately, that's been the most rewarding thing: fitting in where you belong. To find our niche, our drug, and take advantage of it, makes our short time here worthwhile.
I feel satisfied with my time here, but it wouldn't have been possible without these people; thanks to:
Rachel: your spirt and laughter helped me stay sane this year. You're a pleasure to work with and the jokes will never end.
Derek: you're the most organized and efficient editor I've seen. Help others learn those talents when you're editor-in-chief. You'll do a great job, but when it gets tough, remember, it's only a job.
Tyler: hard-working, passionate and confident; you carried Sports in a new direction and you've improved mountains. Stay focused and don't burn out as managing editor.
Nia: you have a quiet, admirable determination that will make you an excellent news editor. Josh: a great writer lies behind your goofy character. Ali: you're fun to work with and your optimism is contagious. Brittney: you're the hardest-working writer on staff and I hope you continue to be a dedicated and responsible journalist. Ray: you are better than many professionals, and I appreciate your reliability and passion. Dannie: thanks for being the only frosh to step up and courageously pursue reporting.
Jane Tastad: thanks for genuinely caring about us - you make the office comfortable. Dana: you can solve every problem. Sorry for all those last-minute page changes and the 4 a.m. pagination emergencies. Jane Kolars: thanks for the encouragement and kind words.
The writers and photographers who came to meetings, wrote stories, respected deadlines and made efforts to improve.
John Gaterud: The Reporter's long-time advisor, we've turned to you for ethical/grammatical/journalistic advice. Thanks for challenging us, advising us and believing in us. Your journey is only beginning. The roads you'll take will make "all the difference," and I hope your time post-MSU is enjoyable.
Ellen Mrja: thanks for your support and sense of humor. Kudos for taking the initiative to start your own "journalism 2.0" class - something that should be adapted into the mass communications department next year.
Adjunct faculty: Pete Steiner, Jim Gullickson and Rachel Hanel. Your help goes unrecognized but your practical experience is a great asset to students.
Kellian Clink: I wish other faculty had as much confidence in students as you do. Thanks for your guidance and encouragement, and hopefully the honors minor will be revived.
Wayne Allen: your rants have encouraged me to look at life from different perspectives (students: take one of his classes before you graduate).
To those who help me stay sane: Abid, Ahmed, Amanda, Ben, Carlo, Eric, Ifti, Gregg, Jenna, Kellie, Mike, Nirish, Sid and Stacy.
To those who have inspired me: Tanner, Myron, Emmeline, Andrew and Jon.
To those I'm forgetting: I'll thank you later.
To those who read the Reporter: you make our work worthwhile, and with Derek Wehrwein as editor, the paper is going to change and improve drastically.
Mexico: thanks for changing my life. I'll be back for you soon.
Isaac, Nick, Vanessa, Jason, Kristie, Grandpa, Grandma: thanks for your love.
Mom: thanks for raising us, putting up with us and being there - it hasn't been easy, but I'm blessed to have a parent like you. I know you have the courage and passion to be strong.
Dad: I miss you, and if Heaven exists, save a beer for me.
Bronson Pettitt is the outgoing Reporter editor-in-chief
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