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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Dakota Gange set to take over as next editor-in-chief at The Commuter

LBCC journalism student Dakota Gange will be the next editor-in-chief of The Commuter, the college's award-winning student newspaper. 

Dakota Gange

The college's Student Publications Committee appointed Gange on May 27. She will succeed current Editor-in-Chief Katie Littlefield, who will conclude her tenure as the newspaper's top editor with the last edition of the school year June 2. 

Over this past year, Gange has served as the newspaper's Student Voice Editor, highlighting various issues facing students, from the pandemic and homelessness, to paying for college and sustainability. She also has collaborated with LB's student government to highlight the advocacy efforts of other student leaders on campus.

In appointing Gange, members of the Student Publications Committee applauded the enthusiasm that Gange brought to her interview for the position, her successes this past year as Student Voice Editor, and expressed confidence that she can build on the success that Littlefield and her team had this school year. The committee is comprised of LBCC students, staff and faculty. 

In applying to be editor-in-chief in the coming year, Gange told the committee, "Writing is my way of bettering the world around me, myself included. It’s how I further reach the public, and further grow myself. Through this career, I can share the stories of those who otherwise might not have a voice, or go unheard. It’s the truth I’ve always sought after, and a way to reach out to others. I want to hear people; I want to listen to their truths, and I want to communicate with them. I thrive on these opportunities."

On the role of the newspaper, she wrote, "We have a duty here to report on important topics revolving around LBCC and the surrounding community. It’s our job to find the truth out there, and bring it forth to the light. We exist to better understand, inform, and report on various topics for our readers."

She credited Littlefield with initiating the kind of journalism she wants to continue at The Commuter: "Littlefield has shined a light on the importance and involvement of the student voice/body, and I passionately plan to continue her work/wish. Through finding student stories, we can better listen to their needs. This year we have had a paper full of diversity, and I plan to continue that through the student voice."

As editor-in-chief, Gange will lead a team of reporters, photographers, editors, graphic designers and others who produce The Commuter, which publishes weekly editions during the school year in addition to its website, a weekly newsletter and various social media. 

Those who would like to contact Gange or get involved at the newspaper are encouraged to email to commuter@linnbenton.edu or dakota.gange.2771@mail.linnbenton.edu.

For more information about journalism at LBCC, contact The Commuter's faculty adviser, Rob Priewe, at priewer@linnbenton.edu. To see more work by students in LBCC's journalism program, see their blogs at robpriewe.blogspot.com.

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Katie Littlefield Appointed Editor-in-Chief of The Commuter for 2020-21

LBCC student Katie Littlefield will be the next editor-in-chief of The Commuter, the college's award-winning student newspaper.

Katie Littlefield

Littlefield was appointed Wednesday by the college's Student Publications Committee, which is comprised of LBCC students, faculty and staff. She succeeds McKenna Christmas, who took over as editor-in-chief spring term, leading The Commuter during the college's unprecedented lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Littlefield, entering her second year at LBCC, has had a regular byline in the paper attached to her work as a reporter, photographer and editor.

During her interview with the publications committee, she emphasized her desire to reach out to other parts of the campus, encouraging a wider variety of students and staff to contribute to the weekly newspaper, the LBCommuter website, and its social media platforms.

"LBCC has so many amazing students with great talents that I want to showcase to our whole school," she wrote in her application for editor-in-chief. "I believe that one of the greatest responsibilities The Commuter has is student involvement and appreciation. This has been done very well over the years and I got to witness it first hand while working as managing editor for two terms. I’d like to amplify the voices of LBCC and showcase the hidden talents at this community college."

The responsibilities of The Commuter's editor-in-chief include appointing and managing the newspaper's staff; coordinating the work of the staff, including assigning and editing stories and photos; leading staff meetings and other newspaper activities; and representing the newspaper in the college community.

For more information about getting involved in The Commuter, Littlefield can be contacted at katherine.littlefield.5238@mail.linnbenton.edu or via the newspaper's email at commuter@linnbenton.edu.

For more information about journalism at LBCC, contact The Commuter's faculty adviser, Rob Priewe, at priewer@linnbenton.edu. To see more work by students in LBCC's journalism program, see their blogs at robpriewe.blogspot.com. 

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Meet the Commuter's Next Editor: Justin Bolger

This year Justin Bolger was managing editor of a Commuter staff that earned 15 awards at the annual statewide journalism competition. He's looking to raise the bar even higher as editor-in-chief.

On Wednesday, LBCC's Student Publications Committee appointed Bolger the next editor-in-chief at the Commuter. He will succeed Max Brown, whose tenure will wrap up with the newspaper's last issue of the school year on June 2.

The Commuter's editor-in-chief manages the daily activities of the student newspaper beginning in the summer and continuing through the school year. The duties of newspaper's top editor include:

* Setting the editorial direction of the paper.
* Appointing the managing the newspaper's staff of editors, reporters and photographers.
* Coordinating the work of the staff, including assigning and editing stories and photos.
* Leading staff meetings and other newspaper activities.
* Representing the newspaper in the college community.

In collaboration with Brown and other staffers at the paper, Bolger focused on expanding the coverage of campus news, focusing heavily on LBCC events, staff and students. In interviewing for the top job, Bolger said he would like next year's staff to maintain the paper's commitment to campus coverage but also expand interactions with readers, including more interactivity on the newspaper's website as well as more diversity of opinion in the pages of the printed edition.

Earlier this month, the Commuter earned 15 awards in the annual Collegiate Newspaper Contest organized by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association. Bolger earned a first-place award for editorial writing. LBCC and the Commuter hosted this year's Collegiate Day, ONPA's annual college journalism conference and awards program.

The 10-member Student Publications Committee consists of LBCC students, faculty and staff and meets each spring to interview editor-in-chief applicants and appoint a new Commuter editor.

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LBCC Looks to Select Next Commuter Editor

In two weeks LBCC's student newspaper, The Commuter, will know the next editor-in-chief.

On May 19 the college's Student Publications Committee will interview applicants vying to become next year's editor. The Commuter's editor-in-chief manages the daily activities of the student newspaper beginning in the summer and continuing through the school year.

The Student Publications Committee is now accepting applications for the position.

The current editor-in-chief, Max Brown, will wrap up his tenure with publication of the last edition for this school year on June 2. Brown took over for Ryan Henson at the end of fall term, after Henson had to return to Pennsylvania for family reasons.

The duties of The Commuter's editor-in-chief include:

• Setting the editorial direction of the paper
• Appointing the managing the newspaper's staff of editors, reporters and photographers
• Coordinating the work of the staff, including assigning and editing stories and photos
• Leading staff meetings and other newspaper activities
• Representing the newspaper in the college community

For an application and more information, those seeking to become editor-in-chief can contact The Commuter's adviser, Rob Priewe, by stopping by his office in North Santiam Hall, Room 114, or by calling 541-917-4563. Or send e-mail to rob.priewe@linnbenton.edu.

The 10-member Student Publications Committee consists of LBCC students, faculty and staff and meets each spring to interview applicants and appoint a new Commuter editor.

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New Term Focuses on Feature Stories

With the start of a new term this week at Linn-Benton Community College came working with a talented group of aspiring feature writers. Two dozen students are enrolled in Feature Writing (JN217).

As they embark upon their reporting and writing quest, they would welcome story ideas from around campus and around the community. Several of the students are interested in pursuing stories on the college's new "pay to print" process, baby boomers coming back to school, parking challenges and campus construction. If you have ideas for additional stories, please leave a comment.

(Today students launched their own blogs, many of which can be viewed below in the column to the right.)

I'm looking forward to working with the students this term and seeing their work published in The Commuter, LBCC's student newspaper and online site.

Facebook "Fan" Sites Drive News Views

Ben McConnell put it this way: "Facebook fan pages are the future."

He was talking specifically about marketing, networking, serving customers. I'm thinking, "Facebook fan pages are the future ... of media?"

What gets me thinking about this is the fact that the college newspaper I advise, The Commuter, attracted more than a hundred fans in less than a week. The students were surprised, having no idea that many people might care what the newspaper says or does online. What's most surprising is how fast the number of fans can expand. Naturally, you'd assume that it's because you're giving them something interesting and engaging to read and interactive with.

And that's the key. They can interact. Facebook makes it easy to "like" what you see, comment or interact with others who share your interests.

As McConnell notes:

Facebook fan pages are the future for three reasons: They're free, easy to create and build a nearly instantaneous pathway to evangelists, prospects or the curious.

When fans interact with a fan page on Facebook, that interaction is sent through the fan's news feed, which goes to all their friends, practically daring a chunk of them to see what the page is about.

Compared to Twitter, Facebook fan pages rule. You're not limited by Twitter's 140-character posts, plus it's far easier for fan page members to preview a photo, video or weblink than what Twitter offers.

The Commuter staff made a renewed commitment this summer to more fully integrate social networking into their news delivery mix, along with "thinking Web-first" in covering news and making it available ASAP to their readers and "fans."

It seems to be paying off.

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In Search of the Credible News Source

The editor of the Commuter, Ryan Henson, is working on a story about media credibility and trust, and how news consumers can find what they need, namely, reliable news and information.

In his quest, he sent me a couple questions for comment. Here's how I responded:

1. What are some responsible ways that we, as citizens, can stay informed?

The best way to stay informed is to be open to a diversity of news and information sources, from NPR to newspapers, both print and online; from cable TV to network newscasts; from local TV news to area radio; as well as magazines and the advertising all around us.

Too often we get locked into the same sources of information, which can restrict the points of view we read, see and hear. It's immensely beneficial to be aware of what all sides are saying, especially on controversial issues, such as health care, the bailout and spending on higher education.

2. How do you feel about the current handling of news events by the media? If anything, what should they do differently?

Different media appeal to different people. While I may not agree with opinions expressed on CNN, or NPR or Fox, there are many other information consumers who do. Media is a business, after all, and one of its chief concerns is building and maintaining an audience.

In the end, each media outlet establishes its own level of credibility. It's up to consumers to decide how much they are willing to believe. That's why it's so important for people to be savvy information processers. Don't believe everything you see, hear or read. Get the whole story before making up your mind.

How would you answer Ryan's query?

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(Photo credit: "Trust" by SeenyaRita courtesy of Flickr.com)

New Commuter Crew on Board for Summer

Summer may be a slow time on campus, but several LBCC journalism students are putting their reporting, writing, photography and other talents to work this summer at the Commuter.

The online campus information and entertainment resource is marking its first anniversary this summer. The new staff is looking to add a variety of new features this year and regular readers can expect to begin seeing some changes later this summer.

The core group includes new Editor-in-chief Ryan Henson, Managing Editor Max Brown and Photo Editor Eve Bruntlett.

If there's something you'd like to see in the Commuter or have other comments to share with the staff, drop them a line at commuter@linnbenton.edu or call 541-917-4451.

The editors also are looking to fill out the staff heading into the 2009-10 school year, so be sure to let them know if you'd like to contribute this summer and fall.

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Commuter Earns ONPA Web Site Award

Here's the news release by LBCC's Lori Fluge-Brunker on the Commuter staff awards from the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association, which presented the awards at last week's Collegiate Day at OSU:

Linn-Benton Community College’s student newspaper, The Commuter, won five awards at the annual Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association Collegiate Day held May 8 at Oregon State University.

The Commuter took first place for best Web site and second place for best cover design (breast cancer awareness - Lydia Elliott, Eve Bruntlett). Additional awards went to Commuter editor Gregory Dewar, who won second place for his editorial “WTF:ASG”; photo editor Lydia Elliott, who won second for her photos of President Obama’s Albany visit; and former opinion editor Brandon Goldner, who won second for best sports photo.

The event included 11 Oregon colleges that submitted 485 entries in 21 different categories. Entries in each category were judged in three divisions: four-year college or university daily newspapers; four-year college or university non-daily newspapers; and two- year college non-daily newspapers. The Commuter is a two-year college non-daily newspaper.

First- and second-place winners received certificates from ONPA. Portland-based ONPA hosts the annual awards for those Oregon college’s that are members of Oregon Collegiate Press.

Congratulations to everyone on the Commuter staff for a great year!

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Next Commuter Editor? It's Ryan Henson

Ryan Henson will be the next editor-in-chief of the Commuter, LBCC's student newspaper.

Henson's appointment was announced Wednesday afternoon by the Student Publications Committee, which interviewed applicants for the position.

Henson, a journalism student who also is involved in LBCC's Peace Studies program, currently serves as the Commuter's news editor.

The Commuter's current editor-in-chief, Greg Dewar, will wrap up his term as the newspaper's top editor with the June 3 edition. Henson and his staff then will begin their duties, starting with summer updates on the Commuter's Web site.

Henson can be contacted at the Commuter at 917-4451 or commuter@linnbenton.edu.

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(Photo credit: Becca Martino of the Commuter)

Commuter Heads to 'Collegiate Day' at OSU

Members of the Commuter staff will be at Oregon State University on Friday learning more about journalism and celebrating their accomplishments at the annual awards program put on by the Oregon Newspapers Foundation.

"Collegiate Day" this year will feature seminars on newspaper design, internships, online journalism, open records/meeting laws, and sports writing. It runs from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at OSU.

At the awards program the Commuter is seeking to improve upon last year, when it earned Second Place in General Excellence among the state's non-daily college newspapers.

The staff already has been notified that it has won awards in these categories: best online site, best graphic, best editorial, best spot news photo, best sports photo. On Friday afternoon the staff will learn whether those are First, Second or Third-place awards.

Good luck Commuters! You've done a great job this year!

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(Photo credit: "Trophy" by bernd ploderer, courtesy of Flickr.com)

Who Will Lead Commuter This Fall?

The end of the LBCC school year is rapidly approaching, as is the reign of the Commuter's editor-in-chief and his staff.

Now's the time for prospective editors to submit their applications to lead the campus newspaper and its online site beginning this summer. LBCC's Student Publications Committee will interview applicants for the editor-in-chief job on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 13.

Other positions are appointed by the new editor-in-chief.

Greg Dewar and the rest of the staff have done a great job diversifying the content of the campus newspaper and building the online Commuter from the ground up.

Applications are available at the Commuter or on the door of Rob Priewe's office, Forum 112. See Priewe (that's me) if you have questions about the jobs and all they entail. You also can call 541-917-4563 for more information.

Ideally, all applications should be submitted by May 8.

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Status Report: Online Campus Media

Thank you, Bryan Murley, for your MediaShift update on one of my favorite journalism topics, the evolution of online campus media. In "College Media Has Come a Long Way Online" Murley provides links to a number of innovative online operations on campuses nationwide.

It's instructive to see what the next generation of journalists is doing out there. What surprised me was that 36 percent of college newspapers are not yet online, according to a sampling done by Bob Bergland, a professor at Missouri Western State University. What are they waiting for?!

As our own students at the Commuter have discovered since launching their improved Web site this past summer, having an immediate and seemingly limitless outlet for their journalistic and creative endeavors is not only strengthening their skills as journalists but building a new and exciting "community of interest" at Linn-Benton Community College.

It's exciting to see students engaged in trying new forms of expression and discovering that journalism is alive and well, despite what they've been led to believe by some of the old-timers in the profession.

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(Photo credit: "Media Training" by noodlepie, courtesy of Flickr.com)

Election 2008: Proud to Be an American

Now that Election Day has finally arrived, where can you go for the latest results online? Reportr.net has compiled a list of sites and links to find out the latest in the race to the White House.

And if you haven't seen it yet, a must-see site is YouTube's "Video Your Vote" Channel, which now has more than 750 videos chronicling, voting, voting problems, notable voters... It's a great reflection of our democracy in action.

Everywhere you look, it seems, and on the radio, TV and online, people are excited that Election Day is here. Optimism has replaced yesterday's cynicism and the endless flow of negative campaign ads. Yes, many are touting their guy -- Sen. John McCain or Sen. Barack Obama -- but more than that you can feel how proud people are to take part in the democratic process, and to be an American!

I'll be spending my afternoon hanging out with the student journalists at The Commuter, the student newspaper at Linn-Benton Community College. For many of them this is their first Election Day, which tops any holiday when you are a journalist. Few places can match a newsroom for the excitement of covering the election's outcome. By noon the staff already had set up additional computer monitors to project the results as they come in, and they were posting updated election stories on their Web site.

I'm excited to see how engaged my students, and young people in general, are in this election. I'm hopeful their involvement will continue way past Election Day. That's a positive vote for America.

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(Photo credit: "Vote!" by ktpupp, courtesy of Flickr.com)