Letter from the Managing Editor, Print Issue 2, 2023-24

This letter from the Managing Editor was printed in the first print issue of the 2023-24 academic year.

Managing Editor. That’s me, and guess what…..this is only my first year being a part of this amazing team and boy, do I wish I joined earlier! 

Although I will admit: the truth is that I did apply to be Editor-in-Chief, but submitted my application past the deadline—and thank god, too, because with the current mix of my senioritis and busy schedule, this paper would have been as dead as disco. 

About 4 years ago, when I first arrived at CSU, not only was it during the pandemic and just a strange time in life, but I also thought I wanted to become a nurse. It would only take a semester for me to realize that I had a passion for writing. Currently, I am on track to graduate in May with a promotional communication and journalism degree, along with minors in digital content production and health communications. 

Once I earned this position and began my duties, Mays (E.I.C.) and I set the goal of bringing print back to the CSU campus to accompany our digital publication. Being online is fun and all, but getting back to the roots of journalism was so important to me, AKA, returning to its original form on paper. 

I confess I was terrified of starting out in a leadership position, with it only being my first year, knowing there were other members that had been with the team longer than I have. But after meeting all these amazing and kind people, I now know I made the right choice in joining. 

My experiences from interning with Big Brothers Big Sisters, skills I’ve learned from classes on media writing, editing, as well as my capstone classes where I helped lead a team in hosting PSRA Student Day this past fall, all have helped me fulfill my role as Managing Editor in co-leading, keeping a good flow, and facilitating communication with our Cauldron members. 

However, I must say, the people that make up this team do an incredible job in delivering the news of this university without much help. And I appreciate all their hard work in making the Cauldron what it is today. 

Though we are small, we produce stories like it’s nobody’s business. 

Kirsten Beard, Managing Editor