Welcome back Bruins!
My name is Bronte Lebo, and I’m so excited to spend this next semester working as the editor of the Vision.
As I’ve stepped into this new role over the summer, I had both the joy and the challenge of having big shoes to fill. Our staff last year covered so many important stories around campus. We wrote about everything from the campus climate toward sexual assault to the spring student government election to the building of a brand new residence hall.
Last year, we also launched a new video branch of our site with Vision News Network. Through this, we were able to bring in even more students to help with videography, editing and on-camera reporting. Through VNN, we interviewed former Mayor Megan Barry about the opioid crisis, toured campus with alumni band Moon Taxi and documented the U.S. taking home the Davis Cup in Belmont’s own Curb Event Center.
I am committed to publishing even more stories that matter to the student body this year. We plan to investigate whether or not Belmont is meeting the needs of students with mental health issues, continue talking about sexual assault and launch a new series exploring the financial issues college students face.
But in order to do these things, the Vision staff needs your help. None of our stories will make a difference unless people read them, talk about them and share them with their friends. We want to start up conversations about important issues and add to discussions that are already happening, but we can’t do that without students and faculty engaging with us.
And in a world where the news is depressing more often than not, the Vision staff is also determined to provide you with fun, uplifting content. Whether that’s through Office Concerts, interviews with successful alumni or food reviews, we want to highlight all of the exciting things happening around Belmont and Nashville.
Those are some pretty lofty goals, and I’m fortunate to have a strong staff working with me to achieve them.
Melissa Kriz is returning as managing editor for her senior year. She’s detail-oriented and the perfect person to keep all of our scheduling on track to make sure we’re publishing the best stories possible.
Jason Saitta and Carina Eudy are returning as audio manager and photo editor for their senior years. Both Carina and Jason are extremely talented and I’m excited to have them back on staff.
Cole Abshier, Caitlin Alexander and Harrison Baldwin will be our three producers for VNN this semester. They all stepped up in a big way last year to launch our video programming, and I’m excited to watch them build up a staff and produce even more content this year.
Liz Gresser has stepped into the role of arts & entertainment editor, and Steven Boero is our new sports editor. Both Liz and Steven have so many amazing ideas and are willing to help out however they can. I’m excited to see what they accomplish.
After writing for the Vision throughout the last year, Caroline Cathey and Katie Knipper have both taken up editorial roles as social media manager and copy editor respectively. They both have great ideas, and I look forward to working with them this year.
Finally, Christiana Green and James Carnell are joining the team as staff reporters. Both James and Christiana are so eager to learn and contribute, I know they’ll be extremely valuable additions to the team.
And we’re always looking for more additions to our team. The more writers, photographers and videographers we have, the more stories we can cover — and the more difference we can make on Belmont’s campus.
Everyone is welcome to join, no matter how much or how little you know about journalism. All you have to do is come to one of our meetings and learn a little more of what we’re all about.
Our first meeting is Monday Aug. 27 at 10 a.m. in Johnson 108, and we’d love to have you join us.
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