May 2, 2016
Eleanor Sturt
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The Scribe now has 50 years of editions published.
Over those 50 years, we’ve had our ups, with 20-page issues full of great content, and we’ve had our downs, when the paper was more of a glorified gossip column.
The Scribe is at a place where there is room for improvement, but I am also proud of what we do.
Searching through old student newspapers in the archives for this edition, we found some interesting
content. Some papers had fantastic articles, covering events like the expansion of the library, Sept. 11 and student accomplishments.
Others were filled with celebrity gossip updates and biased, opinionated articles with multiple grammar and style mistakes.
I was embarrassed for the writers, I was embarrassed for the school who considered this a ‘newspaper’ and I was embarrassed to be a part of the same paper that once wrote articles with the phrase “OMG” used for anything other than satire.
But the well written, researched and informing articles made me proud of the work I do. Spreading news that is relevant to students is important, and I am grateful for that opportunity.
Only 10 years and some dignity separated the great editions from the terrible ones.
Dignity, especially in journalism, can be hard to come by, because it’s a choice.
Honor is bestowed upon people, but you can choose dignity. It is up to the individual, and the individual
alone.
When the paper started in 1966, it was one of the only news sources for students that was relevant and accurate at UCCS.
The journalists took pride in their work and wrote to the best of their ability.
The less impressive articles had no effort. The journalists did not care about what they produced, whether it was truthful, accurate and well written; they only cared that their name was published.
Part of this could be motivation. It is hard to stay motivated some weeks to get the articles done. It is a long, complex process that sometimes needs to happen in mere minutes.
And, sad as I am to say, newspapers are going out of style. There is no urgent feeling to spread newspapers as there was in the ‘60s.
Still, I take pride in my work. I have dignity. I put in the effort, and it shows. I accept critique, as it is my most useful ally, and I attempt to grow as a writer with every article.
Take pride in what you do, even if it is not where you want to be. You do not want to look back and regret the careless work you did in college.
I imagine some of those journalists look back on their work and are embarrassed to look back at the articles they wrote.
They do not want to be tied to the articles with grammar mistakes every third line.
Do what you do, and do it well. The power of dignity is in your hands.