As this week's issue, Volume 93 draws to a close, and while the contributions of all our writers and editors are evident in each issue, the work of one staff member may go unseen, but never unnoticed.

Dr. Jonathan Sanders, visiting assistant professor of communication and media studies, officially served as an advisor to The Ram during the first half of Volume 93, but his guidance and insight can be seen with the turn of each page. At the end of this semester, Sanders will leave Fordham University, leaving behind a legacy as a dynamic proctor in the classroom and a committed mentor outside of it.

Sanders did not serve merely as an advisor, but also as a mentor. Rarely a week would pass when Sanders did not stop an editor while walking across campus to give him or her the next big scoop. Sanders always knew what article each writer had penned and was happy to discuss them, to critique them and to teach.

Sanders' style of advising does not involve sitting in an ivory tower, bestowing knowledge from afar. He was personal and always involved, marking up rough drafts of articles and finished copies of the newspaper during meetings with members of the editorial staff. Even when he presumed his job to be done, Sanders willingly answered late-night emails on production nights and offered his critiques and criticism when they were needed most.

This volume clearly bears the style of our advisor. Sanders was always the first to come to us with a lead on a story and rumors that needed investigating. He taught us to dip our pens in acid and paint our pages with scathing critiques of our university, not to politely ask for reform. Sanders encouraged us never to become complacent with our paper but to push out boundaries and speak our minds. He was always the first to defend the paper from criticism and the first to offer critiques when we made mistakes.  

Although you were only our official advisor for a semester, your impact will still be seen for volumes to come.

So, Professor Sanders, thank you. Thank you for all the hours you spent teaching, for the stories you shared and the advice you gave. Thank you. We wish you the best of luck, and just know that the halls of The Ram office will forever be a little less bright without you and your snazzy suspenders.

Editorial Policy

The Ram's editorials are selected on a weekly basis, and are meant to reflect the editorial board's view on a particular issue.