On Thursday in Stewart Hall, the SU’s undergraduate journal of the arts, The Reflector, collaborated with Write the Ship, the journal of student writing, to hold a launch party celebrating their published works for the 2023-2024 year. 

The opening remarks began with Professor Neil Connelly recognizing assistant editors for their cohesive hard work before being individually recognized with orchids. Write The Ship’s Editor-in-Chief Sydney Kunkel then individually recognized the editing team for the efforts that have been devoted to this publication. 

“My amazing editing team has worked tirelessly on selecting the best of the best student essays to be published in this year’s edition of Write The Ship,” Kunkel said.

Kunkel then introduced The Reflector’s Editor-in-Chief, Megan Gardenhour, who expressed her gratitude as she introduced the journal for the final time before stepping down after serving as Editor-in-Chief after two years. Gardenhour also emphasized Shippensburg’s significant budget cuts for the upcoming year.

“The Reflector has lost a total of $3,000 in our yearly budget, the largest cut that we know of since 2019,” Gardenhour said.

Gardenhour showed her appreciation for those who spoke up during the budget vote and meeting held among campus clubs and organizations. “At this meeting, I have never been more inspired. To the people who spoke on behalf of The Reflector, the arts, the media committee, and the performing arts, a ‘thank you’ will never be enough.”

English department chair Dr. Michael Bibby awarded the D’Orazio-Carragher Prize of Excellence to three recipients. First place was awarded to Jennie Gildner and second place was awarded to Marcelo Pereria.

Provost and Vice President for academic affairs Nicole Hill then presented the Provost Awards. For the College of Arts and Sciences, the Provost Award was given to Alaina Conaway, recognized for her work in English 460 for her piece titled, “Silent Suffering.” In the College of Business, Taylor Gemmell was recognized for their work titled “Work Life Balance.” The Provost Award for the student in the College of Education and Human Services was awarded to Mikayla Greech for her work titled “The Psychological Autopsy.” 

Readings were then shared by members of The Reflector as well as Write The Ship, including a reading by Marcelo Pereria for The Reflector on his piece entitled “Sword from the Trees” centered around childhood imagination and a piece by Sydnie Simmons for Write The Ship on cruelty-free makeup. 

Afterward, Megan Gardenhour, along with the current E-Board, announced new E-board elections: PR chair Alaina Conoway announced new PR chair Megan Williamson, Associate editor Emily Dziennik announced Olivia Chovanes as new associate editor, and Megan Gardenhour then announced The Reflector’s new Editor-In-Chief for the 2023-2024 year, Emily Dziennik. 

The passing of the torch was then followed by closing remarks by associate editor Pierce Romey. 

“I want to say thank you to my team, you made this a breeze, and I don’t think I could have done this without you guys. Thank you for supporting the arts and academic writing here on campus,” Romey said.

To learn more about The Reflector and Write The Ship, go to https://shippensburgthereflector.wordpress.com/ or search “Write The Ship” on the Shippensburg University website.

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