Manic Frustration “If I do not write to empty my mind, I go mad.” ~Lord Byron

Unfortunately, after much deliberation, I decided to leave the news editor position at The Keystone. I didn't want to, but it needed to be done. This was the letter that appeared in my last issue:

A message from The Keystone’s news editor

To our readers,

When I came to KU as a freshman, I never thought that I would see some of the things that I have seen take place. I remember visiting the campus before Boehm was finished and the old science building still stood. I remember when the Academic Forum was still a field.

I also remember my first article that I handed to the opinions editor of The Keystone. It was a rant on the lack of vegetarian options on campus. I had no idea that following the article, I would be asked to meet with the head of Food Services.

That first article showed me that even one person on this campus could have a voice. I saw results after that article was printed. Not huge results, but results.

I felt the need to continue writing for The Keystone. I felt a need to try and keep my peers informed through my articles, or at least to stir the pot a bit to bring up discussions.

When I became the news editor for The Keystone, I felt that I had an obligation to the readers, be they students, residents, faculty or staff. News had to be covered and I wanted to ensure that the important matters came to the surface and that as much information as possible made it to the pages of The Keystone.

As a Professional Writing/English major, the paper offered me a chance to build my portfolio, sharpen my skills as a writer and an editor, and to interact with students and the faculty. I learned a lot. I learned that I could trust more people than I originally believed.

I also learned that not everyone could be trusted. I learned that some words are transparent.

It is because of the worthless words of certain individuals that I have painfully decided to step down from my position of news editor. I say painfully because I don’t want to leave.

I would like to continue to provide the best material for readers that I possibly can, but I would also like to eat and afford the bills that I must pay to live.

For the past semester and a half, I have been pouring hours of my time into The Keystone as a volunteer. I, and the rest of the staff, continue to bring you a paper out of our duty.

We’re not paid (we’re baffled, too) and we receive no credits. The Keystone staff was paid stipends prior to the 2007 fall semester, but after a decision by president Cevallos, those stipends were pulled.

Hours are spent speaking with students, speaking with faculty, talking with journalists, making phone calls, writing articles, editing and creating the paper. We receive nothing but the appreciation we are shown by a limited amount of people.

We do this for you.

Again, I do not want to leave, but I haven’t found any place in or around Kutztown where I can live and eat for free.

I enjoyed my time here and I’m sorry to leave. I hope that I have provided you, the readers, with quality material to read.

Sincerely,
Dale R. Wilsey Jr.
News Editor, The Keystone