End of an Era: Farewell from the Editor

By Jennifer Ward

Dear Reader, 

For those who don’t know me, my name is Jenn Ward, and I was the editor-in-chief of The Phoenix for the 2024-2025 academic year. Writing “was” alone did just break my heart a little bit. 

Former editor-in-chief: Jennifer Ward. (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

When I first came to Purchase in the fall of 2021, I was a mess. I was 18 with box-dyed pink hair, no self-confidence and not a clue about how journalism worked. I remember sitting in my first college class, Journalism 1 with Professor Donna Cornachio, and feeling like an impostor. I looked around the room and was anxious that everyone would be able to tell I didn’t know what I was doing, that I didn’t belong in that class. 

I remembered my family telling me when I got to school to grab every opportunity that comes my way, because you never know what might lead to something life-changing. The then-managing editor of The Phoenix, Leah Dwyer, came into the class looking completely and utterly enthusiastic and began to tell us about The Phoenix. She pitched to us how it’s not only a great opportunity to publish articles you work on in class, but also has a community of like-minded people to support you. 

Next thing I knew, The Phoenix became immediately blocked out in my calendar. Every Tuesday at 6 p.m. was designated for our meetings. Without even realizing it, The Phoenix became a staple for me for the next four years of my life. No matter what personal issues I was facing, or academic breakdowns inevitably came, I knew I had my team to support me.

Growing up, I was always involved in something. Whether it was sports or theater, 

I was always a participant. But that’s just it, I was just a participant. I never tried to look for a leadership position, and when asked to even try and aim for one, I laughed at even the idea of it. 

During my time at The Phoenix, my self-confidence began to grow. I started to feel like maybe I was actually good at this journalism thing! When the then-managing editor, Barb Kay, told me to apply for managing editor in my sophomore year, I was stunned. Of course, it was what I’d been aiming for since freshman year, but the possibility of my little dream becoming true? Preposterous! 

Regardless of my shock and fears, the next year, I had the honor of becoming managing editor alongside Barb as my editor-in-chief. Throughout the 2023-2024 academic school year, Barb taught me so much about what it meant to be a journalist. Sure, I’ve taken the classes, held a few internships and covered my fair share of hard-hitting stories. But working alongside Barb, she helped show me the kind of journalist I wanted to be. Somebody who is strong-willed and dependable, while also holding true to her morals, dedication and ability to lead with a kind heart. I can’t even begin to express my thanks and gratitude towards her, and can’t wait to continue our future working together. 

Former editors Jennifer Ward (left) and Barb Kay (right). (Photo by Donna Cornachio)

When we entered this academic year, tensions were high on campus. Right before the end of last semester, a pro-Palestine encampment was held on campus where we watched our friends, classmates and professors be brutalized by police. Our very rights, as both students and journalists, were threatened on campus. Starting the year as the editor-in-chief of the school paper after that was truly intimidating. 

However, I had the privilege of working alongside Arlenis “Leni” Marmolejos as my managing editor. To say I would have been lost this year without Leni would be the understatement of the century. Regardless of the instant stress we were put under, Leni quickly began to lead with the qualities of a leader one can only dream of. Her dignity, determination and strong morals are undeniable. I can’t begin to tell you about the nights we have spent locked away in the Phoenix newsroom until 3 a.m., or sat in the RA office while I’m on duty past office hours writing, and getting sidetracked a little too often with stories and a growing friendship. Leni is one of the hardest-working people I have ever met, and there is nobody else I would have wanted to lead with this year. I have endless thanks for her, the dedication she has put into The Phoenix, and for simply (or not so simply) being my rock. I cannot wait to always answer her random questions at 1 a.m. and steal her iMessage stickers!

Former editors Jennifer Ward (left) and Arlenis Marmolejos (right). (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

Outside of my fellow editors, I can’t write this letter without thanking my gracious team of reporters I have had over the years. Since I began my time at The Phoenix, I have learned so much just sitting back and watching my fellow reporters, later turned friends, improve their skills and grow as both journalists and people. I want to specifically thank the interns I’ve supervised this past semester, Natalie Tulloch, Alex Del Cueto, Brandon Cruz, Summer Tyler and Isabelle Veloz. Your hard work, passion and dedication have not gone unnoticed and I could not have been an editor (or survived senior year) without your support. 

To my fellow contributors over the years, I also would not have been able to do my job without you. Thank you for always taking the hard stories, dealing with my ramblings in between pitches, and staying late after meetings just to hang out. My experience would have been nothing without you guys. 

To our future Phoenix editors, Summer Tyler and Nolan Locke, I am honored to pass the torch to you both and know you will lead The Phoenix with passion and determination. 

I also cannot write this letter without thanking the gracious professors whom I look up to, not only as journalists, but as people. I can say with 100% confidence I would not be the reporter, nor the person I am today, without their continued confidence in and support of me throughout the years. I want to thank Andrew Salomon, Ross Daly, Virginia Breen, Simon Surowicz and Anna Ozbek for their guidance and lessons in both academics and life.

Most specifically, I have to give the biggest thank you to Donna Cornachio. Not only is Donna the wonderful faculty advisor of The Phoenix, I think I have also taken every journalism class she offers. She has also been my academic advisor for the last four years and my senior project advisor for the past year. To say I wouldn’t have been able to do these four years without her is just grazing the surface. Donna has a balance that one can only see as admirable. She knows how to give you critiques on your writing that will improve your work, while also building a sense of pride and confidence in each writer. She knows how to make you feel special, and has made me feel over the last few years like a real journalist. I could never thank her enough.

I also want to be sure to thank my friends and family, both inside and outside of The Phoenix. Thank you for reading every article I send you (even if you don’t go to this school), dealing with all of my stressed-out rants about what I’m currently reporting on, watching my livestreams during rallies and protests to see if I’m safe and most of all, just having faith in me. Thank you to my mom and dad for letting me follow my dreams of becoming a journalist, as well as my Aunt Joanne, Uncle Abdel, Uncle Michael and Aunt Lisa for being my biggest fans. Thank you to all my other aunts, uncles and cousins who read my articles when I post them, and my Grandpa for always writing to say how proud he was of me. Thank you to Elliana Marlier, Nik Noto, Beyoncé Zambrano, Julia Medicis, Olivia D’Andrea, Kailyn Cornell, Vito Postiglione, Ashley Traynor, Oj Burns, Olivia McColgan, Joe DiPaola, Selena Bello, Artur Wachala, Zaniah Sweeney, Andrew Agosto, Mitchell Barcus, Dilenny Diaz, Betsy Eickelberg, Luxx, Emma Musial, Alexa Camillery, Dorian Scourtos, Ang Amatulli-Griffith, Belle Martinelli, Josiah Acheampong and Tyler Thompson for all the love and support. 

Lastly, I want to thank you, my classmates and our readers. At the end of the day, there would be no Phoenix if there were nobody there to read it. Thank you for taking the time to read our articles, stopping us while walking on campus to pitch us a story and putting up with our reporters always asking you for a quote. 

I want to highlight how, as student journalists, we are honing in on our craft for the first time, just like everybody else. We practice our skills in a way that all students can read as we learn. Thank you for giving us the grace to grow as we go and improve over time. As I leave The Phoenix behind, I ask that students, faculty and administration continue to give grace to the student journalists who come after me. 

Former editor Jennifer Ward reading a copy of The Independent. (Photo by Natalie Tulloch)

Saying goodbye to the Phoenix still doesn’t feel real, and I don’t know how many Tuesdays are going to come and go before I realize I don’t have a meeting, but I will be forever grateful and indebted to everything the Phoenix has given me over the past four years. 

Editor out!

With all my love always, 

Jenn