Of my 142 Rotunda bylines, only two use the word, “I.” As an individual, I am not important and plan to stay that way. Instead, the spotlight should shine on this incredible community that I’ve had the pleasure to serve for the past four years. Through the good, the bad and the bizarre – clown sightings or #StopReplyAll, anyone? – this community remains my first and only choice for an education and a family.
However, to truly love something requires us to remain critical and hold each other accountable. Complacency stunts growth. That’s why we cover the lack of physical evidence response kits, or rape kits, or qualified sexual assault nurse examiners at Centra Southside. That’s why we question how effectively our Title IX office truly responds to incidents of assault or harassment. That’s why we report on the appearance of white nationalist flyers on campus. As journalists, we rise to the challenge of advocating on behalf of your right to know because we understand the power of information and truth.
However, The Rotunda isn’t perfect, and it never will be. Sure, the goal is perfection, but ultimately, we’re just trying to get it right. Either way, change must be a conscious decision made by the community as a whole. Therefore, I want to leave Longwood by challenging this campus the same way it challenged me.
To the administration, while I’ve enjoyed each and every time I’ve been able to sit down with our officials – President Reveley and I have had some good laughs and Ken Copeland deserves a bigger office – there is still a need for more transparency. The way to improve trust among all channels at Longwood – administration, faculty, staff and students - is not to limit the flow of information, but free it. We are taught that clear, honest dialogue is the path to fostering healthy relationships. I hope you continue to challenge yourselves to find ways to break down barriers and have those open conversations.
To the students, you are the foundation of Longwood and I’ve enjoyed finding my true friends and making lifetime bonds on the campus - @Payton Conway. Without all 5,096 of you – yes, graduate students matter, too – the university would quite literally cease to exist. I challenge you to empower yourselves. I’m sure I don’t need to remind you, but you do pay tuition and currently, that means that you account for over 60 percent of money required for the school to operate it. You have the power; use it responsibly to make the positive change you wish to see.
To Professor Halliday and Professor Mergen, continue to push yourselves to guide and develop the future Rotunda staff. They will always need your expertise and criticism. I know it’s hard, and at times, you may think no one is listening to your advice, but they are, or at least a couple people are. Those are the people that will take the seed you’ve planted and help it grow into a mentality across the staff. But they still need that seed in the first place.
To the new Rotunda leadership, take pride and have confidence in your positions and know that you’ve earned it. You’ve all worked so hard and continue to grind in order to create something larger than yourselves. However, understand that you haven’t “made it.” None of us have, nor will we. There’s no final destination for The Rotunda only an infinitely beautiful and ongoing evolution. Basically, I’m challenging you to do the damn thing and never settle.
Thank you to The Rotunda for teaching me to always follow my passion, accept myself and empower others through service. The future is forever bright.
