When I first came to WKU, one of the only things I knew I wanted to do was write for the campus newspaper.
I started as a commentary writer in August 2021, where my job was to write opinion pieces. I loved it because I got to write about things I was passionate about while trying my hand at new ways of research and reporting. I then became commentary editor, serving on the editorial board, leading the opinion staff, posting letters from the editor, and writing the editorials we published as an editorial board.
I applied to be editor-in-chief because I had an opportunity to lead in the newsroom in a new and challenging way. I was selected for the role last spring, and from that moment on, my life changed.
As a member of the editorial board, I was vaguely familiar with the role of editor-in-chief and the Herald’s role as the best watchdog of the university. I quickly learned as editor not only how important that watchdog role is, but also the importance of telling stories that accurately reflect WKU’s campus.
That’s what’s driven me in my time as editor. I’ve sought to tell stories about the people who make WKU the magical place it is, and I’ve worked to hold WKU’s leadership accountable not because I want to highlight its shortcomings but because I want to help make this university better.
While showing me the importance of free speech and an independent newspaper, leading this newsroom has also shown me that those we seek to hold accountable will consistently try to impede our work.
I’ve seen firsthand how those in power at the university aren’t necessarily pleased when we’re successful in our watchdog role. I’ve experienced their anger at our reporting and how they’d rather we were an extension of their public relations apparatus. But that’s not the role of the Herald, and that isn’t the role of a news organization in the United States.
The First Amendment ensures Americans have the freedoms of religion, press, assembly, speech and petition. This role has shown me that freedom of the press is one of the most important of those freedoms. A free press is one of the things that makes our democracy, and our university, work. Not only are citizens kept informed about their government and the issues that impact them, but those in power are held accountable because the press shines light on both their successes and their failures.
This accountability is vital to the institution’s success, and news organizations like the Herald are crucial in pursuing it. We at the Herald pursue truth and accountability because we love this university.
WKU and the opportunities it has brought have changed me. I’m the friend, citizen and leader I am today because of the people I’ve found on the Hill. I’ve worked to hold WKU leadership accountable because each Hilltopper deserves to have these same life-changing experiences.
The First Amendment is vital to our democracy and to American personhood. It’s impossible to capture it all, but in this issue, we’ve tried to capture a fraction of that here on our campus.
The College Heights Herald changed my life. Being editor has been the highlight of my time at WKU, and it’s been even more special leading the newsroom in its centennial year. It’s given me a new outlook on life and leadership that I’ll be forever grateful I received. It’s taught me more than I ever thought I would know.
Thank you for going on this journey with me. For the last time from me, happy reading.
Editor-in-Chief Price Wilborn can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X @pricewilborn.
