I hope you have enjoyed getting to know the people who work so hard each day to bring you the Morning Sun, both those who report and edit the news and those behind the scenes without whom the Morning Sun would not exist.
This series of brief introductions has been a joy to write, and I have learned something new in the process about each of those I have the privilege to work with every day. They are a diverse group of individuals who share one thing in common: They call this place home; they love it and they believe it deserves a thriving newspaper. That’s why they, an engaged group of local investors, and other previous employees such as Justin Crain and Betsy Freeman are so committed to seeing the rejuvenated Morning Sun succeed.
I do not share the SEK pedigree that many of those at the Morning Sun proudly recount. I was born and grew up in northeast Kansas and am a product of the William Allen White School of Journalism at KU. I came to the Morning Sun as news editor in the spring of 1979 after stints in Ottawa and Clay Center. For my wife, Connie, and I and our newborn son, Pittsburg was a stop on the journey. We expected it to be a place to build a resume and gain experience before moving on, although to where, we weren’t quite sure.
Something happened along the way, however. We became involved in the community, made dear friends and found this to be a wonderful place to raise a family. When other opportunities in other places eventually did come, we both knew that we were already home.
After eight years at the Morning Sun, I moved south a few blocks to PSU, where for 30 years I was privileged to help tell the Pitt State story, finally retiring in 2017.
A little more than a year ago, I came out of retirement to see whether there was anything I could still offer as the Morning Sun embarked on an exciting journey of reinvention. Since that time, I have been fortunate to work with a talented group of journalists, designers and others who strive each day to make the Morning Sun the best it can be.
At the end of every story, old-time reporters, clacking away on manual typewriters, would type –30-- in the center of the page to signify to their editors that the story had ended. There was no more to say.
The Morning Sun has refused to put a --30-- on its story. We know there is still much more to tell and we are grateful and beyond happy that you, our readers, are helping us continue to tell that story, tomorrow and for many, many days ahead.
