Letter from the Editor
I believe in newspapers and the traditions they represent. I also believe in the Internet and where it is leading us.
It’s easy to see the two – the printed word and the online realm – at odds with one another. But, here at The Pendulum, we don’t view them as mutually exclusive. Rather, they are complimentary tools to be used to the advantage of the news industry. Since the founding of The Pendulum in 1974, our leaders have striven to remain at the forefront of advancements in reporting the news.
In the past 38 years, our newspaper has been joined by a vibrant website, magazine, web show and numerous social media accounts, all in an effort to meet the audience where they are.
Now, it’s time for The Pendulum to make another important step forward, in line with where we see the industry headed.
Beginning this semester, a longer edition of The Pendulum will be printed every other week, while we also increase our online presence to bring you the top news. The print and online realms will play equally important roles in our news organization, both complementing the other.
For those of you always on the go and attached to your laptop or phone, be on the lookout for a stronger emphasis on online-only as we bring you top news, style and sports content on the web first.
And for those of you who cherish the feel of newsprint in hand – don’t worry! Our print edition will be filled with analytical, in-depth coverage of the top stories on campus and in the community.
As you’ll notice, we have also redesigned the print version of The Pendulum to better accomodate the in-depth nature of our stories with more reader-friendly design and emphasis on story-telling through art.
Just as we are putting a dual focus on print and online, we hope you will do the same. Continue to pick up the print edition of The Pendulum when it hits the stands throughout the semester – we promise to bring a fresh take on the top news.
But we also hope you’ll engage with us online by visiting our website more frequently for the most recent stories, sharing our content on social media and adding your voice to campus discussion.
But don’t just trust me, take a look below to hear from our organization’s top editors about why they feel this is a step in the right direction.
Thank you for your readership and for believing in us.
-Caitlin O'Donnell, Editor-in-Chief
Staff members provide perspective
[box] Natalie Allison, managing editor
I couldn’t be more excited about moving forward. Gone are the days of when a story was confined to its time on the newspaper rack,and we understand that. You want to read a print product that offers a critical look at issues on campus and is visually stimulating all the while.We do, too, and we hope that you will find The Pendulum’s content part of your everyday life here at Elon – and anywhere else you go. [/box]
[box] Melissa Kansky, news editor
The Pendulum’s new reporting style enables staff members to produce a product more in line with the journalism industry’s evolution. A bi-weekly newspaper encourages reporters to post content to the website more frequently to give readers the most current information. Meanwhile, our print newspaper aims to provide deeper analysis of campus issues.
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[box] Rebecca Wickel, features editor
The Pendulum’s new format, represents our desire to both improve the quality of information that we provide as well as to expand our reader- ship in the midst of this rapidly-evolving age of information. New YorkTimes publisher Arthur Sulzberg, Jr. once said that, ‘Newspapers cannot be defined by the second word — paper.They’ve got to be defined by the first word — news.’ The Pendulum’s commitment to reporting the news is the important factor here. Don’t let the paper size distract from the reason you’re reading the paper in the first place. Let our reporting speak for itself, and that will be all you need to see.[/box]
[box] Rebecca Iannucci, arts & entertainment editor
Times are changing, and The Pendulum is chang- ing with them. I’m so excited about our new publication model. It’s allowing us to report on the same incredible community, but with more in-depth coverage and more attention to detail. Elon has always craved top-notch news, and now, we can deliver it to them better than ever before.
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[box] Dan Quackenbush, opinions editor
The Pendulum’s new format, represents our desire to both improve the quality of information that we provide as well as to expand our reader- ship in the midst of this rapidly-evolving age of information. New YorkTimes publisher Arthur Sulzberg, Jr. once said that, ‘Newspapers cannot be defined by the second word — paper.They’ve got to be defined by the first word — news.’ The Pendulum’s commitment to reporting the news is the important factor here. Don’t let the paper size distract from the reason you’re reading the paper in the first place. Let our reporting speak for itself, and that will be all you need to see.[/box]
[box] Kate Riley, editor of The Edge
For me, this transition brings light to the ever-changing print industry. Our change to a bi-weekly publication will offer better and more in-depth reporting concerning issues both the student body and faculty care about.
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[box] Elizabeth Nerich, social media editor
I am very excited for The Pendulum to begin its transformation. As we are constantly reminded, the world of newspa- pers is changing. The World Wide Web has more and more impact and journalism is a constantly changing field, and things that can not adapt are pushed aside. This organization has not only adapted, but takes pride in tackling the difficulties we face. We have gone from solely a newspaper to a growing news organization, and now we are starting yet another chapter. I believe this new strategy can put us ahead of the curve. This is the future. [/box]