From the Editor-in-Chief, 1977

It has been 30 years since I served as Editor-in-Chief of The Daily Cardinal and it is still rare if a day goes by when I do not apply at least one of the lessons I learned at that unique newspaper to my job, or my life, today. It isn't just that my Cardinal portfolio secured me my first professional job in this business; it's that the entire experience there formed the underpinning to the journalist I am today.

If your time at The Cardinal was anything like mine, I know you understand. The paper is a connection we all share, no matter what generation we come from. It's a connection that lives today, and a connection from which we can still gain much if we nurture it.

As a director of the Daily Cardinal Alumni Association, let me share some of our recent successes in preserving The Cardinal's great legacy:

+ This year, though support from alumni like you, the DCAA was able to support students with scholarship assistance to encourage experienced editors to stay on staff. This year's recipient is incoming Editor-in-Chief Jill Klosterman, who will receive $1,000 towards her 2007/08 tuition.

+ Also, with alumni support, the DCAA helped provide the Cardinal office with new furniture, computers, photographic equipment and office supplies for only $1,200.

+ For the second time in three years, the Society of Professional Journalists named The Cardinal the Midwest's best all-around student newspaper. Alumni donations helped defray costs for the paper to enter this contest, providing students who are working for free with the opportunity for regional and national recognition.

+ In April, the DCAA held its annual staff appreciation event in Madison. More than 30 current Cardinal staffers talked with and celebrated another year of achievement with alumni. Of the weekend, one student wrote: "I wanted to send a special thank-you for coming to Madison this weekend. I know that for me personally, I was 're-energized' and ... ready to work."

This success deserves your support and celebration. Take a moment to remember your time at The Daily Cardinal and the significant impact that even a small contribution could make. A contribution today goes directly to supporting students currently working at the newspaper. If you have questions on what The Cardinal needs, or how the DCAA has helped in the past, please email me at skerch@dailycardinal.net

Any amount will make a difference: As I'm sure you'll recall, The Cardinal staff is nothing if not resourceful, no matter what the prevailing financial or journalistic climate. That's just another of the many legacies the DCAA is working to preserve.

You can make a gift in moments by clicking the Make a donation on the upper right.

Thanks for all your help!