Well, here we are. This letter marks the end of my career as an NC State student, a student journalist and, most importantly, as your editor-in-chief.

When I first wrote you in April 2017, I said that Technician was your journal to write in and that I would merely be your editor. After two full years in this position, which by the way is definitely the best student leadership position on campus, I can certainly say y’all wrote a hell of a journal.

In today’s climate, journalism is more important than ever. I know, you’ve probably heard that a hundred times from student and professional journalists alike. The thing is though, it’s true. Journalism, especially local and student journalism, is necessary to keep people in communities informed. And in an age where local news organizations are dying off and student newspapers are losing funding, it is integral that we as a community continue to support public servant journalists who work every single day to produce content for us. So please, continue to read Technician, and buy a subscription to a local news organization. They need your support.

Since I started in January 2016, Technician has completely transformed from a print-first publication to a web and social media-first news organization. This transition allows us to meet you, our readership, where you want to be met: online, on social media and in print once a week (if you still like to pick up a print copy). We have made strides over the past two years to make Technician as accessible to the readership as possible. Your student newspaper is dedicated to serving you wherever you are, and if we’re not, let us know! Send in a letter to the new editor, Dan Gilliam.

Okay. I had to get through all of that stuff before I can start being sentimental.

No column I could write would have the ability to express my gratitude to the student body of this university (my readership) for reading our content the past few years and supporting accountable student journalism. To the student body: thank you.

I’ve had the honor of serving as editor for two volumes of Technician with two incredible editorial staffs. These people clock in hundreds of hours a week to produce journalism and work so hard for the student body of NC State. My job would be completely useless if it weren’t for them and their hard work. To my editorial staff of volumes 98 and 99: thank you.

Of course, the largest and most important group of people at any news organization are the staff writers, correspondents, photographers, designers, videographers, copy editors and everyone else on staff who are making the content day in and day out for us to edit and publish. These people are the backbone of Technician, and I owe an incredible debt of gratitude for all of the correspondents and staff members I have worked with over the past two years. To all of Technician’s correspondents and staff members: thank you.

Most of you reading this probably know me, have seen me or have heard of me in some way. I’ve talked with countless students, student orgs, staff and faculty over the past two years about Technician and how to better serve the NC State community. Someone you may not be as familiar with, though, is my managing editor, Connor Bolinder. Connor, serving with you as the leaders of Technician has been the greatest honor I’ve ever had. Your dedication to our newspaper has meant the world to me, and everyone who has worked for us knows that without you, I wouldn’t be half the leader I was. Connor, thank you.

Last but certainly not least, I have to give my thanks to the 19 (I know, holy crap) news editors I have worked with at Technician since my freshman year. I started in news over three years ago as a correspondent and worked my way up to assistant news editor and then news editor. The news department at Technician is an incredible group of people, dedicated to the notion that the NC State University community deserves the best breaking news, investigative news, and safety information we can possibly provide. The news editors I’ve hired over the past two years are second to none, and I wouldn’t trade my time working with them for anything in the world.

I was dragged to a Technician interest meeting my freshman year by my roommate, Isaac Tolbert. I had no intention of joining the school newspaper, but after coming into that interest meeting, I was hooked. Thank you, Isaac, for making me come in that night.

I’m leaving Technician my senior year literally only because I have to. I have worked so hard at this news organization the past few years, and it is certainly a painful goodbye. I have been a member of Technician’s editorial staff every day for the last three full years. It will be a big change for me and a big change for Technician, but they’re ready.

I have full faith and confidence in our new editor, Dan. I think he loves Technician and the NC State community (almost) as much as I do. Trust him just like you trusted me.

Technician is almost 100 years old. As editor-in-chief, I was merely steering the ship. My time as a caretaker of your student news organization is over, and this is goodbye, but only to me.

To our readership: thank you. To Dan: Good luck and cherish every day you have the privilege to lead Technician. God knows I’ll miss it.

Your former editor,

Jonathan Carter