Hello Keystone readers!

My name is Emily Leayman and I am returning for my second semester as Editor-in-chief of The Keystone. I am a junior professional writing major with minors in Spanish and public relations. I am also involved in the KU Honors Program and Honors Hall.

I became involved with the Keystone my first semester in Fall 2012. My first assignment was covering the Schaeffer Auditorium renovations. After I got this article published, the staff asked me to become the Assistant News Editor. So the adventure began.

From then, I have become the News Editor and held that position for a year until I was elected as Editor-in-chief in Spring 2014. During the time when I took this position, many exciting things were happening at The Keystone. We were dusting the cobwebs from our website and starting to publish student-written articles and announcements every weekday. Then even more exciting events began to unfold.

The former Web Manager, Ben Swearingen, worked for weeks on end creating a Keystone app. Near the end of the semester, the app officially launched on the Apple and Google Play Stores. It features links to The Keystone’s main website, announcements and social media pages. In the age of smartphones, it is exciting for us to share this app with the KU community.

We are constantly looking for ways to improve. That was one reason six staff members hopped on a plane to San Diego to attend the Associated Collegiate Press’s Midwinter National College Journalism Convention in February. The convention featured hundreds of sessions with professional journalists aimed at improving college media organizations. I could not have had a better experience.

Not only did I learn better ways to manage the newspaper and create more meaningful content for readers, but it was also my first time on the West Coast and I met a lot of awesome people. I am hoping we will continue to expand our newspaper’s name and staff’s knowledge at future conferences.

As we start a new semester, I eagerly prepare for every newspaper layout night and every Thursday when thousands of Keystones arrive all over campus. I love to hear thoughts on what we write about. If you prefer web to paper, you can also download our app, The Keystone News, on Apple or Google Play or visit our website at thekeystonenews.com. If you have any feedback on the new issue or would like to get involved as a writer, photographer, cartoonist, or any position, feel free to email me at Eleay401@live.kutztown.edu. As for paid positions, we are looking for a managing editor and graphic designer. Stop by our meetings on Mondays at 6 p.m. or email me to apply.

The Keystone team hopes you continue reading all we have to offer about the campus and community. One day, we may just write about you.