A message from the Editor-in-Chief

Welcome back to another semester at GSU!  It seems like only yesterday the Fall semester was ending, yet here we are, already three weeks into the Spring semester.  Time is flying by! On behalf of the Phoenix staff, I'd like to say that we are all excited for another semester of bringing GSU students the latest news about their school.

We have some exciting plans in store for the Phoenix this semester.  Last semester, the Phoenix website, gsuphoenix.com, went live on the web.  As part of our continuing mission to keep students informed, we have plans to make the Phoenix website a more integral part of the GSU community.  This semester, gsuphoenix.com will feature breaking news, web-exclusive stories, and some fun surprises along the way.  Be sure to check us out online often!  As for the fun surprises... well, I don't want to give anything away just yet...

I am also pleased to announce the addition of the newest member of the Phoenix staff. Samantha Kaspar will be joining the Phoenix as staff writer this semester.  Samantha is in her third semester here at GSU.  She is majoring in Communications, with a Journalism concentration.  Her goal is to someday become a book editor.  Prior to GSU, Samantha attended Illinois State University, where she received her Associates degree in Elementary Education.  Samantha began writing for the Phoenix as a contributing writer in the Fall of 2012. Samantha is a fantastic writer, and I am personally very excited that she will be a part of our staff this semester!

This semester, we will continue to examine various issues surrounding GSU's transition to a four-year university beginning in the Fall of 2014.  In addition, we will continue to cover campus events.  However, we have a small staff here at the Phoenix, so unfortunately our staff cannot cover as many events as we would like to.  While this could be viewed as an obstacle, I prefer to see it as an opportunity.  Because our staff is small, we have many opportunities available for students who would like to write for the Phoenix as contributing writers.  In fact, in this issue alone you will see many examples of terrific stories that were submitted to us by contributing writers.  I invite and encourage any GSU student who is interested in writing for the Phoenix to reach out to me at phoenix@govst.edu.  The Phoenix is here to give all GSU students a voice!

Best of luck to everyone this semester!