Monday, October 3, 2022

Leah Biesack Serves as Commuter Editor-in-Chief for 2022-23 School Year

LBCC student Leah Biesack has begun her tenure as this year's editor-in-chief of The Commuter, the college's award-winning student newspaper and website. 

Biesack was appointed this spring by the college's Student Publications Committee, a group of LB students, staff and faculty who annually interview applicants and appoint the newspaper's top editor. Biesack succeeded Dakota Gange, who's term as editor-in-chief concluded with publication of the newspaper's last issue of the 2021-22 school year in June. 

As editor-in-chief, Biesack is responsible for pulling together the newspaper staff for the school year and takes the lead in setting the direction for The Commuter's website, social media, newsletter and printed editions of the newspaper. Over the past two years Leah has been a writer and reporter for The Commuter, and last year served as the Arts & Entertainment Editor. 

In her application to the Student Publications Committee, Biesack wrote, "The Commuter has a responsibility, first and foremost, to our student body and campus audience (teachers, faculty, staff). It’s our job to showcase the various events and latest news, as well as highlight our student voices. It’s important to feature the different departments and organizations of the college, as they are our foundation. The Commuter is by students, and very much for our students. 

"That said, I believe it’s also crucial to expand our coverage to the surrounding communities. LBCC has a high percentage of non-traditional students (myself included) who likely have lives that aren’t centered around campus life. I feel proud of how The Commuter has stepped up to cover our local community life and seamlessly blend it into our vibrant campus life."

Biesack encourages students, staff and faculty to reach out to the newspaper with questions and suggestions for coverage in the year ahead. She can be contacted through the newspaper by emailing commuter@linnbenton.edu.

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