The Wright State Guardian embraces new changes this semester | Photo by: Dylan Collison
The Wright State Guardian Media Group welcomes new changes and embraces a new chapter starting this fall semester. Here’s what you need to know about Wright State University’s oldest student organizations and is the only student-led news publication on campus.
“There are lots of changes at The Guardian this year. New space, new faces, new opportunities. 2019-2020 is going to be a great year for Wright State University and I know The Guardian will capture it all,” said Debbie Lamp, The Wright State Guardian’s advisor.
The Guardian recently partnered with FlyteDesk, a third-party company that will help increase on-campus advertising.
“I’m looking forward to seeing how it all works. I think we have a really good staff this year. I have a lot of hope for moving into a new space, into a new name and just an overall new chapter for our organization’s history,” said Sarah Cavender, Editor in Chief for The Wright State Guardian.
The Wright State Guardian changed its name to embrace the digital aspect the publication has moved towards since they stopped printing in 2017. Prior to switching to an all-digital format, the organization was known as a print publication, reaching across campus and beyond.
“We printed several thousand copies and every Wednesday we would drop them in different spots on campus. I had a class that required you to read The Guardian and The New York Times. That’s how I became familiar with The Guardian,” said Cavender.
The new semester also brings a new office space, only a few steps away from the previous location. They are now located in 015 SU.
As an addition to the new office space, The Guardian has made room for a media space and recording studio and has purchased new equipment. The Wright State Guardian plans to revive The Guardian Spot, a YouTube channel started last semester.
The organization has welcomed several new staff members to the team, such as the Business Manager, Dylan Collison; News Editor, Marissa Couch; Social Media Manager, Shelby Prenger; reporters, Natalie Cunningham, Alexis Wisler and Laci Wells; and Staff Photographer, Jessica Fugett.
Collison has been very involved in the changes to The Wright State Guardian. Due to his prior involvement on campus and familiarity with Wright State’s finances, collaborations with other organizations and establishing partnerships has become prominent in his role.
“I was hired as business manager when it was just ‘The Guardian’ with the idea of really expanding what we’ve done in the past and finding new ways to find success,” said Collison.
Collison’s goals are to expand his role as business manager to make sure it is more involved than before and focus more on engagement, ad revenue and The Wright State Guardian’s message to campus.
“I’m kind of giving the canvas and letting everyone else flourish from there. I really want to provide the opportunity and let our organization do the best it can in our situation,” Collison said.
