Zoë Strickland | Editor-in-Chief

If you would’ve told me a year ago that I would be writing the 2017-18 editor’s note, I would’ve thought you were joking. But, after nearly six months of being editor of The Western Journal, here we are.

This school year, for many, has been a year of change. We kicked off the academic year with fires that devastated parts of Oregon and California, changing both the landscape of the states and the places some call home. Throughout the last nine months, numerous Western organizations have begun locational changes — the food pantry is moving across campus, the Student Activities Board is moving to the upstairs of the Werner University Center and the Stonewall Center is moving to where SAB was. At the end of this academic year, we’ll also be losing numerous retiring faculty and staff. People who, whether we’re aware of it or not, have impacted our time at Western.

For some students, myself included, a bigger change is on the horizon — going into the world and trying to become an adult. Also, student loans.

Through all of these changes, The Western Journal has strived to be in the pit with you, reporting on things that matter to students — whether that be the $4 million surplus in the university budget, the Wolves baseball team winning the GNAC title for the second year in a row, the latest theatre productions or local eateries in the area.

The paper is facing some changes of its own. In an effort to stay ahead of some copyright issues, as well as integrate a more ‘digital first’ mindset, the paper will be rebranding itself going into the 2018-19 school year. Starting next academic year, you will be able to find The Western Journal on campus under a different name — The Western Howl. This is our first major name change since the ‘90s’s Western Star, and we’re excited to show you what we’ve got. This newspaper has been on campus since 1923, and we don’t plan to stop anytime soon.

Changes can be daunting, but as we all know, Wolves are resilient. As the world throws you curveballs that seem like a lot to handle, I implore you to embrace your inner wolf.

Thank you for sticking with us this year, dear reader.

Contact the author at zstrickland14@wou.edu