In the 21 years I have served as adviser of The Slate, the student-run newspaper at Shippensburg University, I have never requested space in the publication for any reason. My role is, always has been and will continue to be in the background as adviser, mentor and cheerleader for the students who dedicate long hours to producing award-winning journalism.

I requested the opportunity to address the campus community after an event earlier this month, and The Slate staff graciously granted it.

On April 10, the Communication, Journalism and Media Department held its annual awards ceremony to honor the accomplishments of our students this year. I was told the morning of the event that I was going to be recognized for my 20 years of service as The Slate adviser, and that some former Slate staff members would be there for the ceremony.

That was not the entire story. When our department chair, Dr. Carrie Sipes, announced after the student awards were presented that there was one more award to hand out, I expected a plaque or framed certificate. She then announced that two alumni had created a scholarship in my honor that will provide support each year to the editor-in-chief of The Slate.

To say that I was overwhelmed would be an understatement. It has been my longtime goal to find some way to financially support the management team of The Slate who put in countless hours each week guiding coverage of the campus and providing a voice for students. To have alumni step up and provide this financial lifeline to future Slate staff literally took my breath away.

I asked for this space to thank them for their generosity and thoughtfulness. I especially want to thank Robert and Martha LeGrand, who created the scholarship and generously provided the seed money, and who continue to support our department and student media in countless ways. I first met Bob and Marty in their role as members of the department’s alumni board. It was there that I witnessed their dedication to not only our department, but the entire SU community. We became friends during preparations for the 50th anniversary celebration of The Slate and WSYC, the student-run radio station, in 2007. Little did I know then that the friendship would culminate in their incredible donation to The Slate. Words cannot express how much I appreciate their efforts. It is deeply humbling.

I would also like to thank the Shippensburg University Foundation for helping make this scholarship a reality. In addition, I want to thank Dr. Sipes and my colleagues for their dedication to our students and student media.

Lastly, to all those wonderful students (who are too numerous to mention) who have worked at The Slate through the years, came to the awards dinner and made gifts to the scholarship fund, you have enriched my life in so many ways — more than you could know. Thank you for making this journey so much fun.

Let’s make a paper.

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