A farewell reflection from Zach, your ’25-’26 Editor-in-Chief
Campus, Editorial April 30, 2026, 0 CommentSince August, I have had the pleasure of serving our community in a role that would have been unimaginable to me just two years ago. Before moving to Springfield for the 2024 Fall Semester, my Chicago apartment’s mirror reflected a college dropout, albeit a happy one. Still, I was far from leading a team of extremely gifted individuals like I do today, and I felt an untapped ambition for academic rigor, broadly impactful public service, and professional writing. The guidance of the Drury faculty and staff has propelled me to greater heights than I thought possible, and words cannot express my appreciation of how I have been embraced with open arms.
I wish I could report that I was “scouted” by Dr. Booker because of some innate talent I held in journalistic editing. But the truth is, Dr. Booker’s trust in me is a testament to his insight on growth and our uniquely communal campus culture. Drury has offered an environment where I have been allowed to excel and soar to greater heights.
Assuming this position as Editor-in-Chief, my primary goal has been to create a platform for all students to have their voices reflected. A student newspaper should manifest itself as broader than a literary magazine for Writing majors, and it should aim to illuminate the less visible corners of student life. I recognized that strong leadership was key in achieving this outcome, and seldom is any iteration of leadership an easy task; however, my incredibly talented staff has been the heart of every monthly edition our students read between their fingertips. We owe each printed word to their resilience as campus change agents, willing to take risks from academia to their journalistic pursuits.
Faith is an absolute star on and off the field. Her skill as a writer is undeniable, and she’s somehow managed to submit articles of immense clarity, all while maintaining a balance as a student athlete. Hannah is among the most dependable members of any team, and she is graciously content with going unnamed for her hard work as the staff writer of the Advice Column. Every team also needs a Sayed: a bright joy in each room who holds both a self-assurance over his passions of technology and a genuine care for the wellbeing of others. Noel, a leader who embodies what a Panther should be, is about as good a friend as anybody can ask for: kind, thoughtful, service-oriented. We are all eager to follow along your journey to graduate school in Arkansas.
I am also immensely appreciative of Samantha, who has easily been the writer of any Editor’s dreams. Your voice is distinct, never straying from well-informed, and it is rare to collaborate with someone of such interdisciplinary talent. And last but certainly not least for my staff writers, Jasper: your diverse interests and unwavering commitment to the Mirror has underpinned the success of each print.
Kaelyn, your support never goes unnoticed, and I know your communications experience has prepared you to be the perfect managing partner alongside Isabelle. Additionally, no person is more fit to stand beside you as the next Layout Editor more than Gina, whose hilarity and compassion always brightens The Mirror‘s dimly lit office.
Leila: you are by far and away the true Mirror MVP. Not a single publication is possible without you, and that’s for reasons far exceeding your technical proficiency with InDesign. You’re well organized beyond belief and incredibly dedicated to our campus community. And finally, Isabelle, the incoming Editor-in-Chief: I have no doubt you will provide the best of leadership in this role. Your proactivity and talent oceans-away speaks numbers to the capabilities you hold, and I could not be more excited to see your contributions to The Mirror‘s legacy.
Altogether, I stand humbled to have a part in The Mirror‘s history, and it is with deep honor and gratitude that I say farewell.
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