Tyree Harris has been selected to lead the Oregon Daily Emerald newsroom into its digital future as the 2011-12 editor in chief.
As the Emerald’s opinion editor and a University junior, Harris said increasing the Emerald’s web presence and becoming more in touch with the student news organization’s community will be his top priorities.
Most of all, Harris said, he wants to be sure the Emerald continues to improve and that he leaves a solid foundation for the next generation of student journalists.
“I’m just looking forward to learning from everyone,” Harris said. “This is more responsibility than I’ve ever had journalistically. It’s really exciting to see what changes are going to be made and how different the Emerald is going to be in the next year.”
The Oregon Daily Emerald Board of Directors unanimously selected Harris after about an hour and a half of deliberation on Tuesday night.
“We think he has vision, news judgment and the ability to mentor others, and these are key traits in the editor of an independent student news organization,” Board Chair Melody Ward Leslie said.
Photo editor Aaron Marineau and copy chief Kenny Ocker were the other two candidates.
Harris joined the Emerald staff in January 2010 as a columnist writing his weekly perspectives column, “In These Eyes.” Originally from Portland, Harris attended Parkrose High School and has received recognition for his work as a columnist.
Harris will begin training on May 1 and will officially begin as editor in chief with the first issue of summer publication in June.