Members of The University News editorial board unanimously elected junior Eric Winters as editor in chief for 2002-2003 on Thursday, April 4.

Winters has served as news editor and staff writer and is currently the newspaper’s opinion/editorial editor.

“Eric puts 100 percent effort and loyalty into the newspaper on a daily basis,” said incumbent editor in chief Diana Umali. “His enthusiasm is practically unmatched on the staff, and he’ll serve as a solid leader for the newspaper.”

“Eric brings experience, maturity and a sense of humor to his new role,” said longtime adviser Avis Meyer. “And even though he has big shoes to fill,” Meyer added, “I’m confident that he’s up to the challenge.”

Winters said that his plans for next year include reorganizing several staff sections by, for example, adding a layout staff and reinstating the features-editor position. He also emphasized a need for editors to concentrate more on being an editor; namely, working with individual staff writers more frequently on a one-and-one basis, to increase the quality of the newspaper content.

Winters’ plans also include ideas to boost advertising revenue and increase readership of The University News print and online editions.

“With the quality staff we have returning next year, I am confident that the U. News will continue to serve the students of SLU,” Winters said.

“Our goal next year is to keep improving the newspaper by continually thinking creatively,” he continued.

Winters is double majoring in political science and communication and minoring in theology and Spanish.