Jonathan Ernst to to lead The University News for 2011-2012 academic year
The University News Editorial Board re-elected Jonathan Ernst as the 2011-2012 Editor-in-Chief on March 7, and according to the newspaper’s production coordinator Jason Young, they chose the perfect person for the job.
“Jonathan has one of the highest journalism IQs of any student I’ve ever worked with. He understands the value of a community newspaper and sees the larger audience of alumni, students, staff and faculty to reach out to,” Young said.
Ernst has had several years to improve these skills. Working at his newspaper in high school, he rose through the ranks from staff writer to editor-in-chief in his senior year. After arriving at Saint Louis University, he worked as assistant copy editor and news editor before being elected Editor-in-Chief last year. Returning in the same position, Ernst becomes one of only five people in the last 32 years to repeat as EIC.
“Journalism allows me to tell people’s stories, express myself in a creative manner and talk to people to learn the side that’s not always represented,” Ernst said.
Elected last year on a platform of engaging the community and restyling the paper and website, Ernst followed through on these goals with the complete redesigning of unewsonline.com and the physical layout of the paper. This year, he has a new goal.
“I want to start a conversation and show people that we’re a major part of the SLU community. We want to engage the University in our new style,” Ernst said.
Assistant Vice President, Dean of Students and member of The UNews Advisory Board Scott Smith is encouraged by these goals. “Jonathan has built on the success of his predecessor to further improve the professional, both journalism and business, standards of the editors and staff as Editor-in-Chief. He has also demonstrated a commitment to balanced reporting during his tenure.”
To become an Editor-in-Chief, a candidate must go through a three-part process. Initially, the Editorial Board must elect the candidate by a 2/3 majority.
After this, the student’s name is sent to the University to insure that he or she is in good standing. Finally, the Advisory Board, composed of journalism professionals, students, the Dean of Students and faculty members, approves the election if protocol has been followed.
Upon the election, Smith said, “Jonathan’s love for SLU, dedication to quality journalism and commitment to report informative stories to the SLU community make him a great fit for The UNews.”
Ernst, a Communication and Environmental Studies major, is a member of the service-oriented Micah Program. Ernst said he sees journalism as his service to the community.
“It’s more than being involved. Journalism allows you to show another side of the story that might not always get told.”
Young has high standards set for the year.
“I expect greatness from Jonathan. The University News was voted as the best college newspaper in the state of Missouri last year,” Young said. “While the paper will only go as far as he and the other students allow it to go, I would not be surprised if [The] UNews was considered one of the best in the nation after this year.”
