Harmony
It feels surreal to be writing my very first editor’s column as editor-in-chief. I started at the Torch in 2022 as a culture reporter, but I never imagined the places this publication would take me. I am beyond grateful to be in this position; I wouldn’t be here today without the support of the Torch.
There are many changes ahead, as the Torch continues to grow and best serve Ferris students, faculty and alumni. I know that while these changes will be an adjustment for all of us, they will also open exciting new doors and opportunities. We’re pushing towards being a mainly online exclusive newspaper, a change that has been a long time coming. We recognize that it provides us with the ability to get articles and news out quicker, without having to wait for that weekly print date. This move also allows us the ability to cover more events and stories that would otherwise be considered outdated by Wednesday.
There are a lot of things happening in the world around us. Our job as Torch journalists is to provide honest and non-biased news that relates back to our Ferris community. We must use our voices to keep the integrity of journalism alive in an age where the majority of online content we see is AI. Meanwhile, there are journalists across our nation who are being arrested for covering topics such as protests and wars.
Without journalism, there is no awareness; no awareness means no accountability.
My goal at the Torch for the incoming academic year is to focus on giving our community a voice. Our goals and values as a publication have always been to inform the community, shed light on the truth and to do no harm.
I know our staff is more than capable of handling this new chapter ahead. We will continue to do our best to keep our community informed. I look forward to a great year ahead.
Nolan
I am elated to have this opportunity to write my first editor column as editor-in-chief. I began at the Torch in spring of 2023 as a freelance sports reporter, and since then, I haven’t looked back, I would not have been in this position without my former EIC’s in Dylan Rider and Blase Gapinski, as well my former Sports Editor, Connor Grypma.
As Harmony mentioned, there are many changes ahead for the Torch, and we both know that we will only do what is best for current Ferris students, faculty, and alumni. These changes ahead are going to certainly be an adjustment, as we will be making the change to becoming an online exclusive newspaper. This opens the door for more opportunities to get articles out sooner for the community. As a sports guy, this is a big opportunity for timely game previews and post game recaps.
Alongside these changes, we will be making a push to bolster our presence on social media. As our generation these days mainly get their news via social media, whether it be Instagram, X, Facebook or even TikTok, but we realize that we need to make a push to revitalize our social media presence. With this in mind, as Harmony mentioned above, our job at the Torch is to provide the Ferris and Big Rapids community with bias-free journalism that impacts the Ferris community.
Journalism these days is becoming all the more important to make sure the world and people get the news, even if certain people are trying to prevent this, journalism is a constitutional right, and we need to express that right.
My personal goal for the Torch this year is to bring the Torch into the 2020s, while making sure the community gets their non-biased news. Again, as Harmony said above, our goal at the Torch has always been to inform the community, and shed light on the truth and to do no harm.
I am excited for what is to come this upcoming year, and I know that our staff will put out the best possible news, and articles that we can.