If you’ve ever taken a journalism class at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, you’ll soon be told to avoid anything too PR-y. Enter me, Spencer Howard, a public relations major through-and-through. My journey at The Daily Orange began when Rosina Boehm sent an email to the culture list-serv, looking to fill an assistant digital editor position. Although extremely unqualified and not looking to be a journalist, I applied and interviewed.

Flash forward to almost 10 months later and I’ve now worked as an assistant editor for both the video and culture sections with a sizable writer archive for a non-journalist. “Work hard, play hard” has always been my motto, and The D.O. definitely delivered on the work part throughout my sophomore year.

My time at the DO taught me invaluable lessons about journalism and media relations, things I could never learn in a classroom. This newspaper is full of the best and brightest at SU and I’m excited to tell my friends, “I knew them when,” as I see your bylines in The New York Times, Washington Post and beyond.

There are so many people I could thank and I tried to throw together a somewhat comprehensive one below.

Stephanie: You’ve done an amazing job as our fearless leader at the DO this past year. Although I stumbled my way into this paper, you were always a pleasure to work under. I know you’ll go on to do great things!

Cooper: Thanks for being such a supportive and steady presence throughout this year. I’ve learned so much from working with you and I wish you the best in what’s ahead!

Rose: Thank you for indoctrinating me into the DO. I know I began as the personality hire but I couldn’t be more grateful for this experience. See you in the fall, it couldn’t come sooner. #DOcoronatsforever

Ben: I don’t think we interacted one time in the entire fall semester, so when I found out you were the incoming culture editor I was literally like “Who is that?” Since then, you’ve led this section with purpose and creativity, even when your music taste was kinda bad. I’m excited to see everything you achieve in NYC and abroad and I wish you the best.

Mia: I know you’re gonna do great things as section Editor and I couldn’t think of a better person to take over our section. Good luck with everything and I call dibs on the Wicked: For Good column.

Irene: We DID ITTT. This semester took a lot out of us both out but alas we persist. I can’t believe you did our job for two semesters straight, but I commend you for your hard work. Hopefully see you at a Zeta Date Night sometime in the fall!

Lucía: Thank you for being a familiar face at the DO. From day one when Rose gave me a house tour to now, you’ve remained a glowing presence in the house. I also unintentionally infiltrated your friend group so that’s awesome. Also your work is top notch. See you around!

Savannah: Thanks for all the help this semester. You are the coolest and I know you’re gonna do great things. See you around the random hallways of Newhouse.

Sydney: I loved having another policy studies friend in the house. Excited to see everything you accomplish!

Charlotte: Good luck as an Asst. Editor this semester. I know you’ll do great things for Culture!

Eliana: You’ve done some great work for Culture this semester and I’m excited to see what you do in the fall!

Joe: JOEEEE. I started my time at the DO under your wing and I couldn’t think of a better Video Editor to do so. You do amazing work for video and photo and I’ll miss you when we both duck. Good luck on everything after SU, I know you’ll do great things!

Grace & Anna: My two best friends, my evil trio. No matter how far away we are from one another we are always on the same wavelength. Thanks for listening to all my complaints as I adjusted to the journalist life as y’all did the same (The DO runs laps around The Hawk and The Hatchet, sorry not sorry). Love you two, see you soon for a much needed Jersey shore trip.

Doof & Lump: Ilysm my squad. To many more Canes trips, Fortnite sessions, movie theater outings, nights in, pool days and everything in between. Summer can’t come sooner.

Seed Fam: First of all, James and Braelyn, congrats on E-board. You guys will do amazing and keep our fam going strong. Chelsie (aka Mawma) you better get back to campus ASAP because there is a LOT to catch up on. Siggy, my best friend in the entire world, unfortunately we are locked in for life. You know how much I love you even when I kidnap Monkë, steal your food or antagonize your CitrusTV associates…. Love you sis #BamaRules.

Be Mind Fuzz: When people talk about their first semester friend groups that inevitably fell apart by the spring, I would feel embarrassed interjecting that mine is still going strong. Only I don’t feel embarrassed because you guys are awesome and perfect. Tyler you are one of the smartest and sweetest people I know and I’m eternally grateful we could share Sadler 124. Trisha, this year together in SadLaw brought us closer than ever and was a blessing disguised as an RA appointment. Georgia you always bring the vibes and I can’t wait to explore The Windy City with you this summer. Sophie, I wish we could get lunch at CTB and Subway everyday for the rest of our lives and I’ll miss you this summer. John, despite the monster we created, this year changed my life in the best way and I can’t wait to see where the future takes us #Pumpkin. Madeline, this semester without you on campus showed us all just how much we love you and I’ll see you for an intense tennis match this summer. To infinitely more nights out, nights in, Blunk trips, lore updates, storytimes, TikToks, joy & whimsy and so much more. I love you guys from 124 to The Lucky Penny and back a million times.

Chops: My besties for life. The org made a grave mistake letting us all in but I’m eternally grateful for it. You know how much I love you. Stay classy Chops.

Hot Fam: I love you guys and I can’t believe how lucky we got. So excited to see everything you guys do for our org. STAY HOT.

FYP: Shoutout to the best student org on this campus (that I accidentally stumbled into). Soak up every chance you get to spend time with these people because they’re #4lifers.

Sadler Floor 4: I was definitely not qualified for this job but thanks for bearing with me. I wish you all the best as you continue at SU or wherever your journey may take you. Don’t hesitate to say hi to me if our paths cross again on campus or wherever!

Howard Fam: Thanks for all the support through this tough year. I love you all and I’m excited to spend the summer at home with you (but specifically Lily and Beau).

Published on May 5, 2025 at 3:55 pm
Contact Spencer: sphoward@syr.edu