Recently, The Rocket hired new staff members for the 2014-2015 academic year.
New Editor-in-Chief, Kevin Squires, is a junior biology major from West Mifflin, Pa. Squires plans to bring a breath of fresh air to The Rocket from outside the confines of the communication department. Squires previously served on staff as Assistant News Editor.
“As a biology major, it offers a unique perspective to a broader range of majors on campus, and I think that there is a lot of overlap between science and journalism that people usually don’t consider,” Squires said. “With science, everything is about finding sources, doing research and understanding how people come to conclusions, and you obviously see a lot of that in journalism as well.”
Squires also has many new ideas in store for The Rocket.
“I’m considering starting a science column,” Squires said. “I’d like to do that to be able to communicate the things that are happening in that world to the rest of the university. In addition to that, it is really important to me that The Rocket have more of a presence both online and in the campus community.”
Returning members to The Rocket include junior Alex Mowrey, a communication – emerging technology major from San Diego, Ca. as Photo Editor, freshman Rebecca Dietrich, a communication – digital media production major from Plum, Pa. as Assistant Photo Editor, and Karleigh Santry, a junior communication – emerging technology and journalism major from Girard, Pa. as Advertising Manager.
New staff in the News section include Haley Barnes, a sophomore communication – journalism major from South Fayette, Pa., as News Editor and Amber Cannon, a sophomore communication major from Sharon, Pa. as Assistant News Editor.
The new staffers that make up with Sports section include Brian Hepfinger, a junior communication – journalism major from Allison Park, Pa. and freshman Ryan Barlow, a communication – public relations major from Girard, Pa. as Assistant Sports Editor.
Campus Life staffers consist of Katie Ellis, junior communication-journalism from Pittsburgh, Pa. as Campus Life Editor, and Janelle Wilson, sophomore communication-journalism major from Enon Valley, Pa., as Assistant Campus Life Editor.
Other sections are comprised of Andrew Conner, a junior communication – emerging technology major from Mercer, Pa. as Web/Social Media Editor, Shelby Stearns, a middle level English education major from Bay Village, Ohio as copy editor, and Emily Brown, sophomore communication – emerging technology major from Annapolis, Md. as Multimedia Reporter.
According to Squires, he is looking forward to the many new faces on staff next year.
“It’s definitely exciting,” Squires said. “It opens the door for a lot of new creativity.”
Rocket Faculty Advisor, Dr. Mark Zeltner, has high hopes for next year’s staff as well.
“We have a lot of new people coming in next year, which means there will be a lot of change, but that’s a good thing,” Zeltner said. “We will get some new energy and new ideas and will hopefully be able to maintain the same level of quality we have over the years.”
