Departing editors say quick goodbye mid-deadline -30-

I don't want to write this. It's deadline day. Two section editors are not even in this room, and our main designer has a class in an hour. I'm trying to drink the coffee from this morning, but I believe that our adviser has made it extra strong and gross as a passive aggressive reaction to us not turning our content in on time.

I should be reading and re-reading every page in this issue, and I will, until 10:00 p.m. tonight when the police ask me to leave the building.

However, after a massive spacing problem left a hole in the newspaper, I was asked to write this goodbye column at the last minute.

Back in May of 2008 I got an e-mail (thank God for archives) asking me to apply to work on the magazine that Student Life puts out every summer. That turned into an editor position, which turned into becoming the Assistant Editor and Editor-in-Chief at the Accent.

Since then, I've spent hundreds and hundreds of hours in front of a computer, living off Simons's Cafe and pizza. I've spent two and a half years fighting with writers, co-workers, the college administration, the college police, the heads of local businesses, other students and insane people who aren't with the college but try to write for the Accent anyway.

I've gotten in trouble with loved ones about checking my e-mail 1,000 times a day and about not being able to leave work at work when I get home.

I've bored people I genuinely care about to tears ranting about the ins and outs of some new policy or some terrible interview for hours.

That being said, it's also been the most valuable and educational experience I've ever had. I'd like to use this space to encourage students to get involved with Accent.

I've met and worked for some of the most talented people anyone could imagine. The time I've had here has made me a better writer, a better manager, and a more well informed and active member of my community.

I have to get back to work now. But trust me please, when I tell you that the late nights, missed deadlines, fights with family about long hours, and the 647 e-mails each week are worth the opportunities this organization offers the students who get involved. 

Departing editors Christopher A. Smith, Michael Needham, and Chris Scott would like to thank Sarah Neve for writing the goodbye column so we could all keep working on our last issue.