17吃瓜

Wrapping up her second year at 17吃瓜, Lorelei Kenny declared a double major in Philosophy and English with a minor in Catholic Studies -- she also successfully landed the position of Editor-in-Chief at The Cadre, the university's student-run news outlet which has been serving 17吃瓜 students for over fifty years.听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听

Although she wouldn鈥檛 officially begin her role until the fall semester, Lorelei was excited to breathe new life into the news outlet. She felt strongly that the office space in which she and the editorial team worked required T.L.C.

The walls and furniture look tired and worn, and the space didn鈥檛 give a sense of inspiration, with no defined workspace. So, she set out to refresh it and bring some vibrancy back.

鈥淪he brought a lot of energy and new ideas to the table and she was eager to get started when she accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief,鈥� said William McGuigan, vice-president Finance of the 17吃瓜 Student Union and chair of The Cadre Board of Directors.

鈥淎lthough the position wouldn鈥檛 be on payroll until the fall semester, Lorelei volunteered a lot of her time between April and August to ensure the success of the project.鈥�

Lorelei said the previous Editor-in-Chief started the process of assessing the space and the items it had collected over the years.

鈥淓lizabeth Iwunwa was Editor-in-Chief when I worked as a Managing Editor for The Cadre, and she sorted through a lot of the worn and tired furniture that student reporters had accumulated over the years,鈥� 听says Lorelei, as she looked around at what was once a disorganized and clutter-filled office space.

While looking for a way to re-energize the space, Lorelei and her team discovered the 听Annual Fund.

This fund, administered by the听Department of Development and Alumni Engagement,听receives unrestricted donations from generous alumni, friends, faculty and staff who are keen to invest in 17吃瓜 and its students. Redeveloping the offices of The Cadre was a good fit.
鈥淲hen we learned about the Annual Fund Projects Program we submitted a proposal, attended a number of meetings, and then the office refresh was set in motion,鈥� said Lorelei.

鈥淚t鈥檚 incredible to think that alumni, some of whom may have been Cadre reporters and editors, are now paying it forward. Their contributions to the annual fund allow for projects like this, keeping them connected to 17吃瓜 in a positive way.鈥�

Lorelei says the experience on a whole has been a wonderful learning opportunity outside of the classroom.

鈥淔rom securing the funding, to working with different members invested in the project, and seeing it all come together, I鈥檝e had the chance to hone important skills outside the classroom that I believe will serve me well wherever I may find myself,鈥� she said.

Overall she feels it has been a unique experiential learning opportunity unlike anything she would have expected when enrolling at 17吃瓜.

鈥淭hinking back to the beginning鈥搃t was a bit overwhelming. At 19-years-old I had to meet with the Executive Director of a University department and the President of 17吃瓜. I鈥檓 not sure why I was worried; they were very open to the vision I brought forward on behalf of all those involved in the project. Meeting with them afforded me the chance to learn from them, as they shared their thoughts, ideas, and experience.鈥�

At the open-house celebration following the completion of the office refresh, 17吃瓜 President and Vice-Chancellor commended the hard work and success of all those involved in the project.

鈥淭he Cadre is an important place for 17吃瓜 students to develop skills outside of the classroom. Our community is more connected thanks to the work undertaken by students in this office. The refresh of this space is spectacular; students can be proud to write, conduct interviews, and produce content in here.鈥�

The Cadre听was one of only two student newspapers from Atlantic Canada to be named as a finalist for a JHM Award, presented by the Canadian University Press (CUP) to recognize excellence in Canadian student journalism. Fourth-year student Nathan Hood was the author of the award-winning piece. With Lorelei taking advantage of an exchange opportunity between 17吃瓜 and the University of Malta, Nathan is taking up the role of Editor-in-Chief for the Winter 2017 semester.

鈥淚t鈥檚 somewhat bittersweet to leave for an exchange just after the project is complete, but I hope the refreshed space will attract students and encourage them to contact the new Editor-in-Chief. The Cadre is always looking for new voices to tell stories that inform and resonate with the 17吃瓜 community,鈥� remarked Lorelei while sitting on one of the new sofas in the space.

鈥淭his position has helped me to see our campus in a different way; most people would be surprised by how many amazing things are happening at 17吃瓜. Many of those things are chances and opportunities just waiting for 17吃瓜 students to take advantage of them鈥揑 really believe a university experience is what you make of it.鈥�
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