When I first started working with the Pine Needle in 2014, Chick-fil-A was still WOW, and Papa John’s only served individual pizzas. Dr. Kyle Carter was UNCP’s chancellor, and Dr. Kenneth Kitts was provost.
The lot that now features the wooden pavilion outside of the Weinstein Health Sciences Building was nothing more than a patch of grass. The restaurant down 3rd Street, which is now known as Taco Palace, was still Tokyo’s.
A lot has changed around UNCP over the years, both administratively and cosmetically.
One of the biggest changes yet, the N.C. Promise Tuition Plan, is coming in the fall. It’s going to be an interesting experience for me, because for the first time in 3 ½ years, I will be on the outside looking in.
Upon graduating this month, I will be assuming a new role as a reporter for the Robesonian.
Meanwhile, the staff of the Pine Needle will continue to provide updates on all the important events happening on and around campus.
Before I go, I’d like to thank all of the individuals who constantly show support for the paper through their readership.
I’d also like to thank the faculty and staff members who are always willing to work with Pine Needle reporters. Your transparency means more than you’ll ever know.
Finally, I owe a great deal of gratitude to Chancellor Robin Cummings and his staff. We’re lucky to be at an institution where the administration supports its student newspaper.
The establishment of the Chancellor’s Corner is just a small example of his willingness to help the Pine Needle serve as a provider of information on matters important to the student body.
Since we’re on the topic of administrators, Director of Athletics Dick Christy and all of the coaches deserve some recognition, as well.
Pine Needle sports writers never struggle with getting access to information they need, and that is largely due to the excellent work of the sports information staff, as well as coaches making time in their busy schedules to speak with reporters.
One of the biggest assets a campus can have is a strong student newspaper.
The Pine Needle is continuing to grow and take on more advanced initiatives to keep up with the rapidly changing media landscape.
Hours of work go into each issue, and if you’re not reading the results of that work – you are truly missing out.
With the aforementioned N.C. Promise taking effect in the near future, the Pine Needle staff will be able to provide an in-depth look at what it means for the university and how it will unfold.
There won’t be coverage like that anywhere else.
It’s been great to be a part of the UNCP community. The school will continue to change for the better in the future as its capabilities and resources expand.
Regardless of what goes on, the Pine Needle will continue to provide important information to the campus and the town as a whole.
Marie Gaumont, Managing Editor, will take on the Editor-in-Chief title in the Spring.