I first walked through the doors of the Murray State News’ newsroom during the first semester of my freshman year in the Fall of 2019. I was not sure what to expect, but since then The News has been a major aspect of my journey as a Murray State Racer.
I started as a contributing writer with very little experience during my Freshman year and between going through the brunt of the COVID-19 pandemic, balancing my academics and maintaining a social life I kept contributing to The News – eventually starting the Spring 2022 semester as the Editor-in-Chief.
Before coming to Murray State, I graduated from Fort Campbell High School in Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Being a part of an active military family I have lived in places such as Georgia, Washington and Hawaii, which I consider home. I was set on coming to Murray State because I liked the small town atmosphere. As a high school senior I feared being a tiny voice in lecture hall classes with over 100 students.
With constant uprooting around the corner, I never created hard defined plans for the future. If someone would have told me I would be attending a college in Western Kentucky, before I ever set foot in Kentucky, I’d think they were bluffing.
Now being a senior at Murray State I am happy that I decided to become a Racer, as well as a member of The Murray State News.
The friends I have made and memories I have made along my college journey through class, work and residential college life are irreplaceable.
As a student and a journalist, myself and my peers have seen many challenges in the past two years revolving around the COVID-19 pandemic. Starting the Fall 2022 semester a majority of students have not had a normal academic year, but I hope that will change.
At the tail end of the Spring 2022 semester there was a return to normalcy with the revival of one of Murray State’s most popular traditions: All Campus Sing. I believe this is a major turn toward the right direction.
With all of the unexpected changes throughout the years I am appreciative of the Murray State faculty and staff for shifting their class structures and doing their best to accommodate their students.
I am also appreciative of all of those with whome I work with at The Murray State News, for rising to the changes in the journalistic tides from shifting and focusing on the pandemic, to conducting a majority of their interviews on Zoom rather than in person.
Seeing the light at the end of the tunnel I am optimistic for the future Murray State will be able to offer to continuing and prospective students.
With that, I welcome you all to Murray State and wish you the best this semester and that Murray State can be your home away from home.
Best wishes,
Dionte Berry
Editor-in-Chief
The Murray State News