By Jordan Green, Editor-in-Chief
Kenny Rogers said it best: “It’s not easy to say goodbye.”
It’s Wednesday afternoon, and I’m penning my final column as editor-in-chief of the Northwestern News.
I intended to crank out a column that summarizes how Northwestern has changed my life for the better, how the best people in the world have become my friends and how much I have loved every minute of publishing this newspaper.
The more I think about it, however, I know that one column and a few hours could never be enough to fully explain any of those things.
I was a freshman when the Northwestern News staff and adviser Dr. Kaylene Armstrong took a chance on me and hired me as an editor. I can still remember how thrilled I was to design and edit my first two pages.
Since then, my friends and I have designed hundreds of pages for this newspaper, all with the goal of keeping our campus community informed and connected. We’ve sought to tell stories of students, faculty and staff with outstanding character and life experiences. We’ve aimed to address issues that face our student body, such as the university’s scholarship cap. We’ve tried to talk about events and groups that help students make friends and enjoy their collegiate experiences. And through all of that, we’ve grown to be a family.
The News staff has changed through the years; editors and reporters have reached the pinnacle, graduating and getting out into the real world. We’ve spent long hours together in the newsroom, talking about stories, stressing out over deadlines, planning upcoming editions and laughing about life.
The long, late nights and fast-paced, hectic days we’ve spent together have been among the most precious moments in my life. We’ve had deep, meaningful conversations about our pasts and values, and we’ve eaten a lot of good meals together thanks to Dr. Armstrong, whom I love more than she’ll ever know.
Being the editor of this newspaper has never really felt like work. Even when I’ve been close to pulling my hair out and losing sleep over this job, I’ve looked forward to each day with my fellow student journalists – some of my best friends. I’d better not try to name everyone on this staff, past and present, who’ve made this experience so incredible. But let it suffice to say they’ve all made my life immensely better.
Of course, that holds true for everyone at Northwestern. I had no idea when I became a Ranger that I was truly joining a family. People welcomed me from the first moment I set foot on campus, and I had a loyal group of friends in my first semester. We’ve stayed together, and I have a peace in knowing that we will, even though time and distance will come between us.
The professors, faculty and staff here – especially in the mass communication program – have given me knowledge and wisdom that I couldn’t put a price on. They’ve supported me in my endeavors as a newsman, and they’ve tolerated my outbursts of singing and telling corny jokes. That right there should earn them some kind of award.
Looking back, I know that coming to Northwestern was one of the best decisions I ever made, ranking not far below following Jesus. The people I’ve met have given me joy unspeakable. I may not ever fully realize in this life how grateful and blessed I am to have been able to come here and make the relationships I have.
Every family has a history, and that’s what the News has chronicled. It’s a picture of the lives of the people who make this university what it is. I love this paper – its mission, purpose, staffers and readers – with all my heart.
On several occasions, I’ve gotten to hit the “start” button on the press that prints this newspaper. I’m not an OBGYN, but I’ve always equated printing this paper to delivering a baby.
As I write this, I’m a few hours away from hitting that button for the last time of my career at the News.
And as the press winds down after printing a few hundred copies, I’ll think back on just how meaningful these last four years of my life have been.
I always wanted to look back on my time in college and say that I made time for what mattered most. And by the grace of God alone, I did. Working on this paper took a lot of time, and it was worth it. All of my friends and I made the most of every minute we had together – and that’s especially true for those of us on the News team. Our work and personal lives meshed in a special way because we did what we loved together.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Ranger family. You professors, faculty, staff, readers, classmates and friends have poured love and purpose into my life these last few years. I can’t fully express what you’ve done for me, but I won’t forget it.
As I go out into the world, I’ll always remember that part of my heart was made new and filled with love at Northwestern Oklahoma State University.
Saying goodbye is not easy, but it’s much easier when you know that you’re riding away with a heart filled with love for, and from, the best folks in the world. Ride, Rangers, Ride!
Jordan Green has worked at the Northwestern News since August 2019, serving as editor-in-chief since January 2021. He is graduating in May.