This is that weird part that everyone calls the end. Except it’s not really the end – I haven’t graduated yet, and that’s still a thought too terrifying to really process for more than a few seconds.

You’re reading my last issue of The Globe as Ed­itor-in-Chief, an experience that has been an honor and a challenge, but above all, the most gratifying op­portunity I’ve had in my college career thus far.

This semester, aside from the technical difficul­ties, the falling through of stories and angry readers requesting corrections, overall, The Globe staff this se­mester has accomplished many feats that any college newspaper would be proud of.

Of the utmost importance, we have air condition­ing. Yeah, we got a smaller room and with it came a fancy accent wall and a beautiful countertop that takes up less desk space, but we’re not sweltering anymore. I can pseudo-confidently speak for past editors when I say that this is a moment we have all been waiting for.

On a more serious note, we had some mid-semes­ter staff changes, which would typically be a burden. While they were stressful, I believe everything ulti­mately worked out for the best. Former Sports Editor Josh Croup took over as Editor Elect, making him the third consecutive Editor-in-Chief to hail from Butler Senior High School, as my proceeding editor, Jon An­dreassi, and myself are also Butler alums.

I am confidently leaving the newspaper in Croup’s hands. I know that he has a solid foundation of jour­nalism skills, having learned them from Herbert Thompson, Butler’s now-retired journalism teacher, whom I still admire greatly for the valuable education he provided me with while I was in high school.

Additionally, we broke two stories this semester – breaking stories, of course, is something that ev­ery newspaper strives to do. Especially with a weekly newspaper, it is incredibly difficult to get the exclusive on any story, and it’s even harder in a city like Pitts­burgh, where there are two major daily newspapers and a number of radio and television news stations as well. We were able to reveal the details of the PPU adjunct union contract and, one issue later, break the story on the men’s soccer team having to forfeit all 15 wins from their winningest season in team history.

The vibe in the newsroom as those stories came together at the last minute during layout on Monday night was anticipatory, excited. The whole staff was elated when News Editor Anthony Mendicino, who penned the adjunct union story, got an adjunct to go on the record confirming the numbers we had in our pos­session. The whole staff was practically cheering when we got confirmation on the men’s soccer story, as it had previously been a “scoop.” Without knowing it, the staff and their boundless energy during these breaking story situations inspired me – their excitement and energy, the sheer intrigue visible in their eyes for the profession that they are working toward, propelled me forward.

I learned a lot about the Editor-in-Chief position between this semester and last. I learned that a hands-off approach is more effective, so my eyes aren’t tired of reading the stories and I haven’t nearly memorized them while I’m doing final edits.

It’s going to be a strange feeling – life without The Globe. I recently logged my hours for the se­mester; the total tally was around 200 hours, give or take. It is time consuming and some would say soul sucking. It’s safe to say that I’m burnt out and ready to hand the position over to Josh, but I won’t be able to stay away. I’m referring to myself as Josh’s on-call editor, wherever he needs me. I did not apply for a position on staff next semester, so as not to intrude on whatever direction he chooses to take the paper, but expressed my desire and willingness to assist him wherever and whenever necessary. But, to be honest, I’m just not going to know what to do with my Mon­day nights.

The Globe is what keeps me sane. It was last fall that I was in the hospital, crying to my nurses to let me go home because I didn’t want to miss the last lay­out of the semester. It was sometime last winter when I realized that, as a commuter, The Globe is the only thing keeping me coming to campus – I prioritized the newspaper more than I did classes. I would find my­self skipping classes on Thursdays, when I didn’t have anything to do for The Globe, because I felt like I had no reason to come to campus. The Globe introduced me to my boyfriend, some of my best friends, and some of the best members of both my support system and social circle. The nooks and crannies, corners and crevices of these offices are forever in my mind, as the majority of my memories from college are held within the confines of 710-712 Lawrence Hall.

I can’t describe the feeling of seeing newsstands mostly empty each Wednesday, showing that the Point Park community is reading what we have to put out there. I’ve been stopped numerous times over the course of my tenure as Chief by adjunct, faculty, staff and even administration, to comment on The Globe and compliment me on our content – this is some­thing that most assuredly did not happen in the past. With an excellent, committed and diligently working staff, we were able to consistently produce a quality newspaper to the Point Park community which was well-received and I appreciate your loyal readership.

So, I guess this is goodbye. I’ll miss this position and this staff more than anyone will ever know. I’ve cherished every moment of it and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

Signed,

Kristin Snapp

Editor-in-Chief