The Editorial Board of The Free Press has undergone some major changes this year. With almost every department having a new editor and new writers, it’s no wonder if you have noticed something different about the paper in your hands. As this year starts it is important to know who is bringing you your campus news briefs, Athlete of the Week, and the latest indy music reviews.
The Free Press is located at 92 Bedford St., across the street from Luther Bonney Hall. The college radio station, WMPG, resides in the bottom half of the building, where visitors can stop in and congratulate them on their 10-0 win against The Free Press at the annual cookout and softball tournament that WMPG hosts.
Leaving the music and going up the steep and narrow stairs of 92 Bedford will bring you to the inner sanctum of The Free Press. On the left is the office of our fearless leader John Bronson, executive editor of The Free Press.
Originally Bronson was a computer science major. “I realized how much I loved writing when I got into the thick of studying computers instead of playing with them,” he said when asked how he made the switch from hackers to hack jobs.
Directly in front of the door into The Free Press is an office shared by three very important members of the staff: John Marshall, ad manager, Lucille Siegler, the new office manager, and the photocopier. If any one of these three were to go away without leave, chaos would ensue.
Not to mention that if the photocopier were to go AWOL, the staff and writers couldn’t make signs to adorn the walls and visitors to the office would realize that a paint job is long over due.
To the right of the entryway, lies the office of Jess Kilby, adviser. Kilby is a freelance writer for the Portland Phoenix and has written for several other papers from Maine to Hawaii. Aside from giving the Editorial Board the benefit of her years of experience, she also assists with the personal career development of those working at The Free Press.
At the very end of the hall, and to the left, resides Iris Burke, photography editor. When not taking pictures, assigning photographers to stories, or writing stories herself, Burke manages to take a full course load at the Maine College of Art.
Burke shares her office with the two other women of The Free Press Editorial Board: Sarah Hines and Melissa St. Germain. Hines, the copy editor, makes The Free Press look good. Not only does she love her position, she has never even sworn at her computer.
Melissa St. Germain, production manager works with all of the editors and managers to lay out the paper. She takes the graphics, the stories, the pictures, every aspect of print in the newspaper and makes them fit together into a set number of pages. She is also keeper of the genie. Zanzibar sits on St. Germain and Burke’s desk. “He’s the production genie,” said St. Germain on Wednesday.
Dividing the offices between the sexes was completely unplanned. But it has opened the door for some interesting gender studies. For example the girls’ office will someday be painted a professional olive/khaki color while the boys’ office will someday be painted a holistically centering cream corn yellow. It is important to note that neither gender has actually done a damn thing to get the offices repainted.
Bunkering in the boys’ is office of Tim Hofmannn, Joe Bilancieri, and yours truly. Hofmann, our arts and entertainment editor, is a Portland West-ender. “I’m a working artist.” And work he does. Aside from the A&E section of the paper Hofmann draws cartoons, creates mixed media collages, makes music and practices power yoga. Hofmann also keeps the aural palate sated with the wide variety of music he brings in: a feast for the ears every day.
Sports Editor Joe Bilancieri has, along with the title, taken over the job of bringing readers the Athlete of the Week and carrying in depth coverage of University’s sports teams. GO HUSKIES!
And finally there is myself, Joseph Thompson, news editor. When temporarily freed from my desk I am usually found running from one class to the next, or trying find a good cup of coffee on campus. I can always be found with Goddot, my palm pilot, or Boswell, the most agile of my dogs.
The Free Press is found not only in print but also online. There you can check though our archives and read past stories. Current stories online will usually have links for further information. Check it out.
While online take the time to let The Free Press know what you think. The Free Press likes to hear back from its readers. See something you liked? Hated? Did something get left out? Misquoted? Perhaps possible perfectly presented? Send an email to The Free Press. Or write to us: The Free Press still accepts snail mail. Your voice will be heard.
As another year begins and summer fades into memory, The Free Press looks forward to serving the students, faculty and staff, for both news and entertainment. It’s going to be an exciting year with a new and excited Editorial Board. Enjoy.
Joseph R. Thompson can be contacted at [email protected]