Well, we’ve got four possibilities for my replacement.
Tomorrow, the college’s Media Commission will meet with the four applicants for 2011-2012 Torch editor and decide who will be in charge of the newspaper starting in June.
But there was something missing when the commission had its first meeting Tuesday.
“Where are the applications for Denali?” somebody asked.
My production adviser and I were well aware of where those documents were. After four weeks of advertisement, we watched the applications for the Torch and Denali editor positions as they went.
One day a Torch application would disappear.
The next day, two more would be gone.
As the applications for Torch editor were taken from their place in the newsroom, the two Denali applications that were printed remained stationary.
So what’s the big deal?
Well, for one thing, the literary magazine is a staple of the art department here. Yes, the gallery in Building 11 exhibits some of the best student artwork that you’ll find on campus. But all of that art is selected by a committee.
Denali is the one place where a group of students is tasked with the mission of collecting submitted artwork and compiling it for publication.
It’s a lot of work, that’s for sure.
But if you’ve got a passion for art, there’s nothing more fitting than being at the forefront of that process.
After all, I wouldn’t recommend the position of Torch editor to anyone who didn’t see themselves working in a professional newsroom down the road. It’s a tough job that requires determination, passion and a dash of skill.
I dare you to subject yourself to our sports editor’s prank phone calls whilst keeping your sanity for more than a week.
While the process of compiling Denali may be rigorous, I find it hard to believe that there’s nobody on this campus who would want to take it on. I’m sure there are plenty of folks who walk are looking for a little extracurricular activity.
Besides, what’s not to like?
You get full creative control. You choose what goes in, what to omit and who you work with. Well, you don’t get to select everyone involved in the process. The Denali editor will work closely with advisers Bill Woolum and Susan Carkin, but I’d definitely say that’s part of the fun.
You get all year to put the thing together too. Have fun with it. After all, the Torch newsroom shares office space with Denali. Editors have had fun interacting with the news staff in the past (mostly taunting the guys who have to crank copy out on a weekly basis.)
And it’s not like you’d be doing it for free. The Denali editor gets $200 per month — sometimes a bit of a stipend during the summer, too — in addition to the above perks.
Interested yet? You’re in luck.
While the regular application deadline has passed, it was extended by the Media Commission this week.
You’ve got until June 1to bring that application to the Torch newsroom. Help keep a campus tradition alive.
Editor Eder Campuzano can be reached at 541-463-5655 or torcheditor@lanecc.edu.
