May 2, 2016
Jonathan Toman
[email protected]
When I interviewed for a reporter position at The Scribe in fall 2012, I asked then-editor Sara Horton how I had done in the interview – before the interview concluded. It wasn’t arrogance, it was a strong desire to be a part of something I knew could have an impact.
Boy, I was young.
I went on to become sports editor, where I was until fall 2014, when I became editor-in-chief of The Scribe.
Every semester I have been at UCCS, I have also been at The Scribe. That adds up to eight semesters. My first article was published on Sept. 24, 2012.
As those who know newspapers will attest, it is always a minor miracle when the paper goes to print. The Scribe is no different.
Seriously, it often took a herculean effort from our staff to get this thing out.
And today, the last Scribe I will be editor for goes to the stands.
In my time at this paper, I have developed a deep affection for both The Scribe and UCCS.
I was afforded an in-depth look at the campus, with both its physical traits and people becoming known quantities. I couldn’t afford to be a normal student – the sun does not shine out of everything that UCCS does – and I found that out quickly.
But despite this knowledge, I still loved what I saw here. I loved it enough to stay, and thrive.
In my time at The Scribe, we covered everything UCCS, from the triumph of the first RMAC Championship in men’s basketball in spring 2015 to the desolation of the loss of UCCS Police Officer Garrett Swasey this past fall.
But I didn’t stay for our coverage or the ins and outs of running a paper (although those had an odd, repetitive, but positive quality to them).
I stayed for the people.
As a staff, we saw the highest highs and lowest lows of college life in both ourselves and those around us. We gained lifelong friends. We developed as people, going through the common struggles of college life.
If I am proud of nothing else, I am proud of the development of our staff, both as writers and photographers, and as human beings.
I have had the privilege to see remarkable people do remarkable things. The people I have had the honor of working with while here pulled off miracles on a daily basis, the kind that don’t win awards, but win undying respect from those around them.
I, and so many others, have put an immeasurable amount of blood, sweat and tears into this publication (all of that can be taken literally, by the way).
I, again like many others, could’ve done other things on campus. But we chose The Scribe. And I don’t regret my time here, not one second. In fact, it was the highlight of my time at UCCS.
I’ll miss the chaos and the people, the never-ending stream of challenges that make life at UCCS and at The Scribe what it is.
But I’ll also miss the quiet hours in the office by myself, when campus grew quiet and I and my thoughts had free reign.
As an Eagle Scout, there is a rule I recall from my time in scouting that I seek to implement in all facets of my life: leave a place better than when I found it.
I hope I have done so here.
I’ll close with my sincere thank you to all who continue to make this a fantastic university and a fantastic student newspaper.
While there are those who care, the show, this newspaper, student journalism, will go on. As long as there are people interested and passionate about student journalism at this school, there will be a newspaper and there will be student media.
The culture of The Scribe, one of its finest traits, will live on.
And the people, the reason I came and the reason I stayed, will continue on as well.
Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check, but that is not what I have found. I’ve found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk, that keeps the darkness at bay. Simple acts of kindness and love. Why Bilbo Baggins? Perhaps it is because I am afraid, and he gives me courage.’ – Ian McKellen as Gandalf, in the film ‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey”