Not many people have been in The Paladin office. It’s pretty small, tucked behind Burgiss Theater in Trone and filled with random items, ranging from boxes of paper clips and three staplers (why) to old relics of Furman history. Ancient copies of the Bonhomie yearbook line the shelves, as well as Paladin copies of old.

Over the past year, I’ve spent hours in that office, every single day. Whatever it is, the quiet or ambiance, I just love. I’ve spun in the rotating chairs, frantically written on the white boards, napped under the desk, blasted music from the TV, had epiphanies, stared into space, had tough conversations, laughed with friends, cried (many times) and, through it all, felt like I was doing something valuable.

Below the packed cabinets in the back of the office is a wall covered in New Yorker covers. When I was stumped or felt stupid, I would wheel my worn-down office chair a few feet and stare at a certain cover from Nov. 21, 2022. In it, an elephant tries desperately to surf, cowering before a menacing wave. It’s comical, and I love it.

I’m leaving my position as Editor-in-Chief today, and I have felt like that elephant many, many times throughout this year. Beyond the obvious technical and management aspects of a newspaper, we are also tasked with reflecting the voice of the students. This is not something I took lightly, no matter how difficult it can be.

It has been an incredibly challenging year for Furman and the wider community. Just last week, we lost English professor Dr. Willard Pate, one of my teachers and advisors who had been pouring into Furman students since 1964. In November, we mourned the loss of Ella Whiteman and stood side-by-side in candlelight to remember her. I watched a beautiful lavender celebration in April dedicated to the loss of another beloved student, Stasi Hester. Outside of our campus, we’ve watched the devastation in Gaza, in Ukraine, and a political and social landscape that is always new and changing.

It would be easy for us to lose hope. Our world is so confusing, and we can quickly become overwhelmed with the constant loss and uncertainty around us. But I haven’t witnessed that as Editor-in-Chief. I’ve seen a resilient student body: one that commits to one another, uplifts one another and seeks empathy and connection before anything else. I’ve seen a student body come together by the hundreds to honor Ella Whiteman and stand together silently to remember her. I am incredibly proud of the way the Furman community, and especially the students, have acted this year, and I am proud to have witnessed it.

I am equally proud of The Paladin staff for the excellent work they have put in. They are among the most dedicated students I’ve met, and they do an incredible job representing their respective sections. I owe so much to them and to the amazing work of our advisor and past editorial teams. The Paladin is a team effort, from the editors to the staff to the writers.

And finally, I would like to thank the readers. We can’t be the voice of the students if no one hears us. Even if it’s just skimming through or filling out the crossword, we appreciate everyone picking up a paper and giving us some of their time. Please never stop reading, engaging and sharing your thoughts with us. Nothing is more valuable than feedback, and it is absolutely necessary for what we do.

Writing this, I’m thinking of my freshman year. It’s the activity fair, and I’m walking down an endless row of tables covered in banners, merch and unfamiliar people. Somehow, I end up at the Paladin table, and all that’s in front of me is a stack of newspapers and a sign-up sheet. The Editor-in-Chief at the time, Colin Brake, stares at me while I scribble my name down.

He asks, “Do you want my spiel or not?” I answered, “Sure.” We ended up getting lunch, becoming friends, working together and now text frequently. Without that tiny interaction, my Furman experience would have looked markedly different.

I think, more than anything, the most impactful part of this experience has been the people. The Paladin is very time-consuming, and you grow very close with those around you through shared experience. Through training and working together, I’ve grown so close with Sarah Albouchi, and I’ve tried to be for her what Colin or Audrey Enghauser was for me. Without the Paladin, I wouldn’t have these close friends like Sarah, and I’m so grateful for the relationships we’ve developed on the staff.

I’m honored to have been given the opportunity to serve the student body, and I hope that I was able to impact you in some way. But this is not goodbye. Sarah Albouchi and Gracie Moore are incredible leaders, and we’re adding some excellent new faces to our staff. The Paladin will always be here to serve students, and I can’t wait to see what the team will accomplish in the future. It’s like the elephant on the wall. No matter how big the waves get, I know that elephant will still be out there. Rain or shine, you’ll see him.

Signing off,

Carter