They told me during my senior year of high school that college was about decisions.
Decisions on whether to get up and go to class. Decisions on whether to venture to Tigerland, schedule that tough elective or take that road trip two days before midterms. Most importantly, though, college was a time to decide what direction you wanted the rest of your life to go.
Right now, I can say I’ve routinely made the right decisions, but I can’t fully discern what direction I’d like my life to take.
Starting today, I’m in charge of more than 80 talented, diverse and dedicated student media professionals, all of whom are struggling with decisions — some as simple as whether to ask that tough question or shoot that controversial picture, but others vastly more complex.
And, to be blunt, it scares the crap out of me.
It still hasn’t sunk in that I was hired as editor-in-chief of The Daily Reveille on March 21, though seeing my name at the top of page two this morning made it a bit more real.
It’s a daunting task to reach more than 20,000 undergraduate students and their surrounding community in today’s digital-first, “give it to me now” media society. But as with anything I put my mind to, I can promise my staff and I will work our hardest to ensure it’s done.
How, you ask?
Flip through today’s issue. A discerning eye will notice a redesign of fonts and bylines — all aimed at making our print product more modern and readable for the LSU community. I’d be remiss if I didn’t shower praise upon my co-managing editor Erin Hebert and our two production editors, Ryan Lachney and Jennifer Vance, who put all of that together.
If the print copy of the paper isn’t your prerogative, log on to lsureveille.com, where you’ll notice more changes. In an effort to aggregate all LSU Student Media content, we’ve hired a completely new web team who will maintain the front page of the site with all of the freshest and most talked about student media content.
I’d be lying if I said both of these changes were home runs, simply because I don’t know yet. It’s up to you, the readers, to let me know. Tweet me (@Chandler_Rome). Instagram me (@chrome35). Whatever’s best for you. Just let me and my staff know how to better serve you.
So, today marks one of about 75 papers I’ll oversee this semester. I have no clue where this road will take you, me or The Daily Reveille.
Whether it is a hurricane, a budget crisis or an old-fashioned LSU football controversy, The Daily Reveille will keep you informed and provide a correct, clear and concise report.
I hope you’ll make the decision to come along for the journey.
Chandler Rome is a 21-year-old mass communication senior from Baton Rouge. You can reach Chandler on Twitter @Chandler_Rome.