Since 1924, the Setonian has been providing essential news to the Seton Hall community, recognizing that student journalism is journalism. But perhaps never has the Setonian been as important as these past few years.
In February 2020, at the Setonian’s last in-person editorial board meeting, there was an air of great, thrilling, terrifying uncertainty. The University had just cancelled all study abroad plans for spring break over fears of the ‘novel coronavirus.’ Our news editor predicted the worst, saying that when the virus hit New York, everything would shut down. The idea seemed preposterous, but then, as now, the Setonian was looking over the precipice of breaking news, thinking constantly of how events could influence you, the Seton Hall community members.
When the pandemic began, the Setonian was quick to evolve. We moved online, a tough decision that ended up massively boosting engagement. We kept up with University policies, breaking stories on our reopening plans. We made COVID data accessible, constantly following the school’s COVID dashboard so you didn’t have to. And we did it all while keeping pace with University events, protests, tragedies, celebrations and everything in between.
Of course, many of these changes would have been impossible without our past staff and leadership, particularly that of Nicholas Kerr, Liam Oakes and Isabel Soisson, to name a few of our amazing graduates and role models. But now, the Setonian’s editorial board is made entirely of seasoned undergraduate writers, reporters and photographers who have been with the paper through some of the most chaotic years we’ve ever faced. Forged in that chaos is an exceptional board of editors.
The 99th editorial board is one of the most experienced and dedicated boards in our paper’s history. We’re preparing to continue our passionate coverage of the Seton Hall community, the South Orange community, and beyond.
Senior Daniel O’Connor is continuing his role as Editor-in-Chief, and Brooke McCormick will continue as Managing Editor. Junior Emma Thumann will take the helm as News Editor, Serena Davis will continue as Campus Life Editor, with Brendan Balsamo remaining Sports Editor. Former News Editor Amanda DeJesus will be our first official Podcast Editor, bringing the Setonian into new forms of media. Our battle-tested eboard is preparing to meet in person for the first time since that fateful meeting in 2020.
We’re back and better than ever. Here’s to 2022-2023, and the 99th editorial board.
We’ll see you on campus in just a few weeks.
