By Lacey Jarrell

Returning to higher education as a thirty-something non-traditional student, I can admit I was more than a little nervous to join the ranks of fresh-faced twenty-somethings making their way in the world. Looking back now, I chuckle at the range of emotion—from excitement to apprehension—I felt those first few times walking onto the University of Oregon campus. Mostly, I remember an underlying sense of inspiration about the opportunities that awaited as I completed my undergraduate degree.

One of those opportunities was Ethos Magazine, and the release of this issue marks my two-year anniversary as a member of its staff. Working as a staff writer and an associate editor, I was mentored by co-staff members in the art of storytelling and the nuances of print publishing. As editor in chief, I feel privileged to have been able to pass this knowledge onto a staff of my own. These experiences are what have resonated most deeply within me.
The evolution I have been a part of at Ethos has given me unique insight into the pulse of a thriving campus publication. Each term Ethos fluctuates as new students join our staff and others move on. But despite this ever-changing atmosphere, throughout the year an ethic of collaboration remains constant. It’s one of Ethos’s core values, and it’s what has given Ethos its longevity. This team mentality has strengthened Ethos into an award-winning magazine, and it has laid the groundwork for staff members to work together on our campus and in our communities. It’s also what has established Ethos as an inclusive environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those like myself.
As a new staff is welcomed for the coming year, the culture of Ethos may change, but one thing I am sure will remain constant is the value placed in producing collaborative content with distinction. Staff members past and present have made Ethos Magazine what it is today, and I am confident Ethos will continue to provide countless opportunities for students to produce excellence in journalism.

Returning to higher education as a thirty-something non-traditional student, I can admit I was more than a little nervous to join the ranks of fresh-faced twenty-somethings making their way in the world. Looking back now, I chuckle at the range of emotion—from excitement to apprehension—I felt those first few times walking onto the University of Oregon campus. Mostly, I remember an underlying sense of inspiration about the opportunities that awaited as I completed my undergraduate degree.

            One of those opportunities was Ethos Magazine, and the release of this issue marks my two-year anniversary as a member of its staff. Working as a staff writer and an associate editor, I was mentored by co-staff members in the art of storytelling and the nuances of print publishing. As editor in chief, I feel privileged to have been able to pass this knowledge onto a staff of my own. These experiences are what have resonated most deeply within me.

The evolution I have been a part of at Ethos has given me unique insight into the pulse of a thriving campus publication. Each term Ethos fluctuates as new students join our staff and others move on. But despite this ever-changing atmosphere, throughout the year an ethic of collaboration remains constant. It’s one of Ethos’s core values, and it’s what has given Ethos its longevity. This team mentality has strengthened Ethos into an award-winning magazine, and it has laid the groundwork for staff members to work together on our campus and in our communities. It’s also what has established Ethos as an inclusive environment that welcomes students from all backgrounds, including those like myself.

As a new staff is welcomed for the coming year, the culture of Ethos may change, but one thing I am sure will remain constant is the value placed in producing collaborative content with distinction. Staff members past and present have made Ethos Magazine what it is today, and I am confident Ethos will continue to provide countless opportunities for students to produce excellence in journalism.