Dear Students,
My name is Devin Rodriguez, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Crow’s Nest. Our paper is written and edited by students, for students.
You might know me because of my Burger King hot dog review, which I wrote with my Managing Editor, Ryan Callihan. Last semester, I was the Art & Life Editor for the paper.
Over the weekend, the staff and I poured our efforts into talking to many of you in an effort to capture information that would enrich your first week back. I can state, with absolute certainty, that I am proud of the work we did.
If you are a returning student, you will notice quite a change from last year’s paper. We want to continue to evolve and advance toward journalism this campus can be proud of. The former editor-in-chief helped establish our presence on the internet and printed a fantastic paper each week. We plan to do the same and much more.
Our content is dictated by the students.Your opinions and thoughts help us to explore more about this university and St. Petersburg. We are a conduit for your questions and concerns.
We also serve to inform. If you are looking for something to do on the weekend or good places to go for lunch – we have you covered. Wondering when the new College of Business building will open or what your Student Government is up to? Rest assured that we will get the story.
From entertainment to news we will provide coverage with as much accuracy and transparency as we can. Our audience, the students, are the primary motivators that force us out of the newsroom and into the world outside. This year, we want to capture as many student opinions as we can, we want to include you and your ideas in the stories we write.
But this relationship is a two-way street. This paper would be nothing without diverse voices and student opinions. You are vital to us.
As a journalism student, I’ve often been asked what I plan to do after I graduate, usually followed by a comment about the instability of the print industry. My answer is always the same: I plan to write. I took this position because it gave me a direct line to bring out other voices, and in doing so, I will improve my own voice.
I’ve been writing since I was 15 years old, and the work I’ve done with the paper has been the most challenging and rewarding over any previous endeavor. Journalism has forced me to talk to people, ask good questions and really try to listen.
I consider this paper to be one of the most important things I’ve done in my academic career. I will need help to realize the full potential of this weekly publication. It will take a strong community to build an excellent newspaper.
As a writer, I yearn to make an impact. I want to tell stories that provide attention to those who would be ignored otherwise. It is impossible to do so without listening to people in the first place.
We are here, located above the free printing lab in the SLC. We have an open door and would love for you to stop by. We want to help you print content you will be proud of. If you don’t drop in, you can always call or email. This school is constantly changing, but you can count on The Crow’s Nest to keep you informed every step of the way.
