Winter in Bluffton has become an event this Delawarean looks forward to with great excitement. As I look out over the campus covered in inches of snow with a coffee in my hands, I want to reflect on The Witmarsum and how it can serve our campus this semester.
As Charles Dickens wrote, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” At this point in our new year it feels like it could be the worst of times during what is supposed to be one of the best times of our lives. We have all shared some amount of loneliness, grief for what we have lost, anxiety or simply a lack of motivation in the day-to-day life found under the influence of COVID-19. Not only is there a pandemic impacting and taking life but it was also an election year, an event making even more visible a great divide within our country.
During this time of uncertainty, pain and fear, I believe The Wit has a unique opportunity to support our beautiful community. As student-driven media, we hope to facilitate conversations in the pursuit of truth and expression. During a time where individual growth is sought, Bluffton University has equipped this campus for individual growth within the context of community.
The Wit aspires to tell the stories of our campus members and document the events filling the semester with activity. While our eyes and ears are always on the alert—we don’t see everything. We want our community to be able to share in the responsibility of being a voice on this campus, by sending in story ideas, having conversations with our team, sharing articles or speaking on 96.1 The Wit FM.
As I navigate being the new managing editor for The Witmarsum, I ask that you talk to us, interact with each other and listen to us.
Talk to us.
It is not often we, The Wit staff, find ourselves hiding in a dark cave somewhere to stay away from people. We love conversations, and while it may be a little cold to stop on the sidewalk and chat, maybe walk with us a few steps, because we want to hear what you have to say.
No story is too small. If a friend wins an award or has an interesting hobby, let us know. If a professor shares a story others may find important or interesting, let us know. If someone wants to share about a difficult experience or take part in hard discussions, let us know.
Interact with each other.
While there are protocols that restrict gatherings to small groups and social distancing, there are still ways to have conversations with each other. Getting to know people behind a mask can be exhausting, but it is still possible.
Sharing stories and subscribing to receive our articles will significantly shape the conversations that emerge. Every week may not hold ground-breaking discussions, but we hope to encourage a community of respect the more we talk with and listen to one another.
Listen to us.
Another opportunity to interact or become involved with The Wit is through our radio station 96.1. Download the Radio FX app and take advantage of direct streaming. If you want to host a show on the radio station, contact us (and especially our program director, Kai Smith) and we would love to begin processing with you.
I look forward to all of the new experiences as well as the familiar ones we will have this semester. I hope we can remember to have kindness in our hearts and practice patience with one-another as we try to navigate this difficult season and that we can emerge with personal growth.
Even in the midst of it all, The Wit is committed to bearing witness to each other’s journeys with honesty and grace. We are seeking to dig deeper with each other so that we may connect as a community.
I am looking forward to our conversations yet to come.
Sincerely,
Olivia Tennefoss
The Witmarsum 2021 managing editor
