Every so often, if you’re lucky enough, you might come across a job that you know won’t be like any other job you will have ever again. For me, that job was with The VanCougar. At the start of my senior year, I found myself in a new role as managing editor, tasked with assisting a first-time editor-in-chief during the middle of a global pandemic. The team I have helped lead over this past year has been socially distant, but strong, even while there was no end to uncertainty in sight. Having to adapt to new circumstances, everything felt new and strange, but we still pushed forward to deliver you the most incredible stories.
Before the start of the fall semester, we held plenty of meetings to organize our commitment toward publishing our print magazine. With no students on campus and low numbers of faculty and staff, it presented new challenges, but I sincerely believe The VanCougar adapted ethically, and efficiently.
While many believe the word “unprecedented” became overused in 2020, we did our best to cover the stories that impacted your campus community the most. From articles about social justice marches in Vancouver, wildfires torching VanCougs homes, the modest but empowering representation of a hijab to how the library is specifically designed to be the best study space for students, our team worked hard to investigate each of these stories during a time deemed truly unprecedented.
Working for The VanCougar Newsmagazine was special to me. Now looking back, just a week away from graduation, I know the time I had with the organization was a fundamental cog in my professional development wheelhouse. WSU Vancouver prides itself as an institution for the non-traditional student, and as a non-traditional student myself, I never knew what my college experience was supposed to look like. Now I know that for two years, I had the privilege of covering many of the most important and unprecedented historical events with a dedicated team that overcame every challenge time and time again.
From a leadership role perspective, I’m really proud of the work our organization was able to publish this entire year. From a student perspective, I would say I am completely grateful that my non-traditional path led me to The VanCougar. As an alum, I’ll also say “Go Cougs” and thank you for an unforgettable experience.
Sincerely,
Brody Voge
Managing Editor
Brody Voge is a junior at WSU Vancouver studying strategic communications.