From the Newsstands: This story appeared in The Eagle's April 2025 print edition. You can find the digital version here.
It may be hard to believe, but I’ve spent more time at The Eagle than as a student at American University. I joined the paper in June 2021, nearly four years ago, months before stepping on campus as a student.
Like a sponge, I absorbed everything the editors and staffers above me had to say. In return, I earned the delightful nickname “the baby.”
Even now, as I graduate and pass down leadership, my long-graduated Eagle friends still call me that.
What that nickname has symbolized to me, though, is the unique culture The Eagle fosters on campus. We’re a newsroom entirely run by students, but more than that, we’re a newsroom that teaches students. There are few places on college campuses where students have the unique opportunity to teach and mentor each other. In no other place have I seen the time and care Eagle staffers dedicate to empower and hold each other up.
Student journalism is important now, more than ever. With shrinking local news, we’re often the only bodies that cover our schools and communities so in depth and hold the administration to account. I know with The Eagle’s mission to seek truth and report it, and a staff dedicated to upholding it and continuing to improve The Eagle, this newspaper will continue to adapt to the changing times for the next 100 years and beyond.
Thank you to Tyler Davis, who has an innate ability to read my mind. They have led the News section with integrity, overseeing our coverage of the University’s budget deficit, voyeuristic crimes and the Title IX office.
Thank you to Luna Jinks and Olivia Citarella. Without them, the Copy section and their late nights adding the finishing touches, our stories would not go out.
To Penelope Jennings and the sports section for constant laughter, Sarai Batallas and El Águila for reviving the section, Manuela Gonzalez and Online for innovating our social media, Alana Parker and Opinion for kickstarting important discussions, Marina Zaczkiewicz and Life for embracing our creativity and Izzy Fantini and Multimedia for capturing it all.
Thank you to Maya Cederlund, our DEI and Community Engagement editor, for leading thoughtful discussions as we reflect on our 100-year history.
To Heather, Courtney, Brett and The Eagle Advisory Board for championing The Eagle at every turn.
To Amy Eisman and John Watson for their years of guidance and dedication to The Eagle.
To Gregg Ivers, one of The Eagle’s biggest cheerleaders and my biggest supporter on campus.
To my friends and family for patiently listening to my endless Eagle talk and reminding me it will all be okay in the end.
And a final thank you to Abigail Pritchard, Nina Heller and Clare Mulroy for paving the way. Your examples of leadership and mentorship made this dream of mine possible.
I have no doubt that Walker Whalen will take this paper to new heights in its 100th year and beyond. I can’t wait to see where they lead The Eagle next, and I’ll be cheering every step of the way.
Abigail Turner
Editor-in-Chief 2024-2025
