Ryan Knutson, a freshman from Beaverton, was selected by the Oregon Daily Emerald Board of Directors as editor in chief for June 2006 through June 2007. As he begins his sophomore year, Knutson, 18, will succeed senior Parker Howell at the end of spring term. Knutson takes the reigns of a staff that Howell led to a Society of Professional Journalists’ Northwest Excellence in Journalism Award for Best All-Around Daily Student Newspaper.
Knutson arrived on campus a week earlier than the rest of his class to submit his application to then-editor in chief, senior Shadra Beesley. After publishing two stories in the Fun and Games supplement, Knutson freelanced for the news desk and then became a full-time reporter for the higher education and city/state beats winter term.
“I came to the University of Oregon because I wanted to be involved with the journalism school and set a goal for myself to become editor in chief,” Knutson said.
“Experience-wise I’m ready and I think I have the skills to do it.”
Knutson came to the University after three years of newspaper experience at Aloha High School’s The Voice of the Warriors. After two years as a staff writer he was co-editor in chief his senior year.
“I have a few ideas; maybe some minor tweaks in design but no major changes in mind,” Knutson said on his ideas for improvements. “The purpose of the Emerald is to serve the students and the U of O community. So whatever they want to read we’ll put it in the paper. It’s important that we hold the ASUO accountable and the U of O officials accountable.”
Howell said he thinks Knutson will be able to handle the job.
“Ryan has proven his ability to learn quickly, to adapt to the newsroom in his time as a reporter,” Howell said. “These skills and his time in high school as editor in chief should help him in this job.”
“His age should not detract from his sound news judgment and enthusiasm,” Howell said.
“I particularly appreciate Ryan’s vision for maintaining the Emerald as a high-quality student-run newspaper that delivers accurate news that readers can trust.”
Knutson turned in his application for editor in chief in April and later interviewed with the three department heads: Howell, Judy Riedl, general manager and Michele Ross, production manager. Monday he made a presentation to the news staff, who gave their feedback to the board.
Judy Riedl, who has been with the Emerald for 16 years, has never seen a sophomore editor in chief.
Emerald Board Chairman Mark Watson, one of two faculty members on the board, was impressed with Knutson’s potential: “Ryan has a tremendous amount of confidence and potential. It was pretty quotable when he said ‘Age is only a number.’”
“I think he has things to learn but he’s going to do a great job,” Watson said.