I started at STU with hopes to become a lawyer. I was fully committed to the criminology and criminal justice department until I took a journalism course at the end of my first year. I had no idea what The Aquinian was, but I soon found out.
I began writing in my second year, I know, a little bit of a late bloomer. I only had three journalism credits by the end of my first year, but I really wanted to give journalism a shot.
My first semester local reporting class was humble beginnings as I tried to figure out whether this was the right program for me. I thought my “beat” would definitely be sports. As a volunteer, I wrote my first Aquinian story on the UNB Red Bombers homecoming game. I had no idea what I was doing. I took way too many notes for one game and conducted two of the worst post-game interviews ever.
I continued to take sports stories every few weeks and had no interest in other sections. I applied for The Aquinian’s senior writer position last year and received a call from Giuliana after my interview asking if I wanted to be the news editor. I seriously considered saying no, but I just went along with it. I felt totally under qualified and terrified.
I have learned a lot this year. Writing, pitching, editing and communicating were all very tough at the start of the year. I think I have also learned more about my community and I am pleased with the news section this year, especially the work from my regular writers.
Giuliana and Peter have mentored me this year and I can’t thank them enough. You have both been very patient and have taught me more this year than you’ll ever know. I will miss layout days and post-story meeting laughs. I am going to miss the rest of this year’s group and I hope to recreate some of what we had this year next year.
There were many running jokes that, in all fun, did not work in my favour. Whether it was Ian discovering the “passion” for journalism I didn’t know I had or the fact that everyone in this city is somehow my neighbour. Though helpful to have connections for other writers it was getting kind of ridiculous. Giuliana and Peter, I’m still going to get that interview with Justin Trudeau.
As incoming editor-in-chief, this does feel like my next step and I am up for the task. Asking myself at the start of the year to take over Giuliana’s position, I would’ve said no. It’s a tough task and despite our challenges this year Giuliana has put together a great team. I hope I can create a dedicated team with a “passion” for student journalism.
To my parents, you know this new responsibility has been a tough adjustment for me and I couldn’t ask for more support and interest in my work. I don’t know how I would be able to pull this off alone and I know you and my siblings will be proud of what The Aquinian will create next year.
To my friends, most of whom are STEM majors: This is The Aquinian. The thing that I have to stay up late on Friday nights for and wakes me up on Sunday mornings, but it’s worth it and I hope you can become loyal readers next year.
For my team next year, this thing we do is not easy and it’s not supposed to be. It’s supposed to be important for the university community and beyond. If it was easy, it would not be worth it.
To Aquinian readers I hope you continue to enjoy us next year and I think you’ll like what we have for you. The landscape of journalism is changing and we will try our best to acknowledge that in our work next year. We will need help, suggestions and criticism next year so please email me anytime. We won’t know what our readers want unless they tell us and our readers are our top priority.
Oliver Pearson
Editor-in-Chief 2024-2025
