I walked into The Daily Orange scared shitless just over a year ago. I stayed nervous after I got hired as copy editor, and I’m still nervous to this day. The year has been surreal, but rewarding. I wouldn’t give it up for anything and I can’t believe my time is over. Even with all I’ve done, I wish I had done more.

If you know me, you’ll know I overshare, say what’s on my mind and overthink. You’ll also know that I am a total sucker for emotion, vulnerability and honesty. These are wholly from the heart.

Without further ado.

Lars: My journey started with you buddy. You were there on that first story I took in February 2024, you saw me sweating it out trying to talk to sources. I can honestly say that no one saw me grow like you did. I can’t believe a photographer so skilled and gifted is always so willing to shoot for my stories, but I’m glad to have you as a de facto partner. Every time we got together, it would start with one of us saying “No work talk,” and then it ended up just being work talk for hours for no reason. Thank you for making sure I wasn’t losing my head.

Mia: I’m glad you’re taking over for me. We figured out you wanted this job when you stuck around to post from the house on print nights (when you really didn’t need to). You always go above and beyond, were always the first to help me when I needed it and you always had a great attitude about it. I’ve told you a lot about how to do this job already, but the most important thing is genuinely to have fun with it and be creative. You’ve been doing both of those things the entire time I’ve known you.

Spencer: I’m 95% sure you were made in a lab. How do you function by filing stories, editing, being an RA, being social media famous and probably 50 other things that I don’t know about? You’re one of the most natural “people” persons maybe ever, and I know that’s gonna bring you to some sort of greatness in whatever field you go in.

Irene: This job isn’t for the faint of heart, and two semesters as an assistant is demanding, on top of all the other things you do out of house. Thank you for sticking through it and putting in the hours when it counted. You’ve had some really fun bylines!

Eliana: What’ll stick in my head about you is your constant willingness to work hard on every story, and your extremely clean and thorough form of reporting. You’ve been reliable since day one — I’ve never had any doubt in your reporting, your dig work, anything. When you had assignments, I immediately trusted it would be quality, and there’s few people I can say that for. I know that you’re going to continue to succeed at an extremely high level.

Charlotte “C” Price: I’ve never seen someone so excited about a story as you were about Weinermobile, honest to God. Your sense of humor and attitude brought an extra liveliness to culture, and your reporting was always filled with character. You’re extremely genuine and unafraid to bust my chops, which means a lot to me. You’re gonna do great with everything you do here.

Sydney: Thank you for coming back to handle copy this semester. I know we didn’t get to know each other well enough, but your reporting is always clean and thorough, and you’re incredibly consistent and hard-working. It has been a pleasure working with you!

Savannah: I was scared of you until the last week of work last semester. After transition night. I put “When the Last Time” by Clipse on the JBL speaker and you lit up. Then you kept taking the JBL speaker this semester and playing Darius Rucker. You are one of the most thorough editors and writers I know, and I’m sorry if I “put you to work” too often. It’s because I knew you would always kill it. I’m still a little scared of you.

Flynn: THANK YOU. The work you do in illustration is genuinely one of the most valuable parts of this whole paper. We’ve had so many incredible stories served with an incredible illustration, and the work you do blows my mind. Thank you for working with me and Lucía on so many print projects, especially David Lynch!

Cole: I’m sorry for meddling in the graphic process a few times, I should know by now to just #TrustColeRoss. I admire your ability to effortlessly do an incredible job while also being the house’s resident snark. I just wish that sometimes that snark wasn’t directed like a howitzer at me…

VIS: What a department. I said when I took culture editor that I was gonna work closely with you guys, and I’m incredibly grateful for the work we’ve done together. Our stories are dependent on a good visual, and you guys came through on some incredible pieces! I couldn’t have accomplished anything as culture editor without you guys, and it’s safe to say you guys are the most talented at what you do in the entire house.

Duncan: We should’ve gotten tighter last semester. We’re often on the same wavelength, in class and at work, about how to approach and handle this work. Thanks for being open about your struggles with this job and being receptive to mine. It took a ton of pressure off my shoulders to know that I wasn’t alone. I can’t wait to see what the future holds for you. White Mountains this summer? I’m a text away.

News: It’s clear that you guys had a lot on your plate, and you did a fantastic job of reporting through one of the murkiest and darkest times in American history, as well as holding an incredibly bureaucratic university accountable for its silence.

Sports: Your work ethic is the benchmark we should all strive for. Sports journalism is a machine. I know I don’t know all of you well enough as I should, but you live, breathe and eat D.O. sports. Such passion is an inspiration to all of us.

James “Jimmy” Hoagland: You knew what you were doing from day one in op; figuring out what students had on their mind and taking care with diverse and risky opinions. You bring a calm into the house that genuinely wouldn’t be there otherwise. Keep that calm up as DME. You’re gonna kill it!

Aiden: I don’t know anything about being DME but from what people tell me, you’re one of the best this paper has ever had. You kept me posted with dig plans when I had no idea what to do, and you were always gracious with some of my more ambitious ideas for videos and IG posts. I’m sorry if the bus was updated late with graphic ideas one too many times.

Ahna: Thank you for coming on as DEIA manager! The meetings were always insightful, and one of them (Amanda Morris) was genuinely one of the most rewarding experiences I’ve ever had. And of course, your reporting is equally insightful, always humanistic and always with a purpose.

Davis: Do you need anything? Seriously. I’ve only known you two semesters, but you’re the glue that holds the D.O. together. You’re one of the most kind, genuine and thoughtful people I will ever meet. The life of an engineer is one of problem solving, solutions, fixing, repairs. It’s different from a journalist, who only points out the problems that need fixing (we don’t do anything to actually fix them). That’s why you fit in so well here — you are one of the few people that can actually fix our problems for us.

Kendall: Your extensive set of goals for the D.O., your collaborative spirit and your willingness to take everyone’s thoughts (including outgoing head eds) into account means that you’ll be a great EIC next year. Really excited to see what you do — you’re gonna kill it!

Rose: You didn’t tell me half of what culture editor actually is, probably because I never would’ve taken the job if you had. Thank you for quickly recognizing my work ethic and skill, and giving me amazing story assignments as a lowly copy editor. I’ll never forget your duck night when you referred to me as “like your brother,” and I’ll never let you forget that either. We are enormously similar and I’m glad you entrusted me with culture. Thank you for always being a kind ear for me to vent to, and I’m sorry if I vented too much. Have fun as managing editor.

LSV: I’m in awe of the eye for design that you have, the passion you have for doing a good job and the fact that it never looks hard or stressful for you. You’re an absolute force of positivity and empathy, a rock of support to anyone in house that needs it and working with you was a joy. I don’t know how this paper will survive without you, but I’m sure they’ll find a way. Thank you for working with me on so many spreads. No thank you for not pitching a single culture mac this semester.

Cooper: Sorry for all the ball-breaking. You’re a genuinely blessed writer, a hard-ass manager when you need to be and a comfort to stressed head eds (like me). I know I (often) joked around with you, and that you probably got really sick of it, but I hope you know that I look up to you, as a writer, editor and manager. You and Stephanie assured me I was doing a good job even when I thought I wasn’t, and were always approachable. I took that for granted. I know that whatever sports newsroom you end up in, you’ll approach the job with diligence, care and skill. I’ll always (try to) read your columns and features because you’re cracked and one of my favorite writers, genuinely.

“Chiefanie”: You’re one of the most gifted people I know. When I think of you, I think of a fearless and tough leader who’s always available to help out the team. Thanks for your guidance and kindness to me when I hit a brick wall this semester. I’m glad that you and Cooper trusted me with this section; I don’t think it’s overreacting to say that this semester of college was the best I’ve had so far, and your leadership has been a constant bevy in a sea of stress and uncertainty. And thanks for talking to me about Tony P.

Ian/Ben: Ian, you were the first person I told about the culture editor offer, and I was so skeptical. You told me to go for it and I don’t regret it at all. Glad to have you as a friend. And Ben, I only wish the dudes had rocked a little more this semester. See you in NYC when you check out Oasis.

TA: #Journalism. Thanks for sticking with me. Our Thursday yaps and Friday dance sessions were a respite from the stress of this job. I love that you got fed up with me talking about the D.O. and started just sending me the thumbs up emoji. You will always be the Kenny “The Jet” Smith to my “King” Charles Barkley.

Jack Johnson: Thank you for making the songs “Upside Down,” “Taylor” and “If I Could.” It’s always better when we’re together.

Mom/Dad/Ethan: I’m sorry for being a total workaholic. It’s a Butler thing. I hope you guys know that for all the stress and intensity of this job and career path, I wouldn’t change a thing. Thank you for always reading my stories, and complaining that I was writing too many trackers and not enough stories. The future is always bright with you guys in my corner. BB signing off.

Published on May 5, 2025 at 3:59 pm
Contact Ben: bnbutler@syr.edu