Rain,

The first rule of the Fiat Lux News is to take names, and take no shit. We’ve weathered some weird storms together, but I’m sure you’ll navigate rougher seas with ease! You will do incredible things with the time you have left at Alfred University. Take a breath, kick ass, and you’ll already be doing what I did! 

I’ve come to think of you as my younger sibling, so don’t expect to be left in the lurch when it comes to the FLN, Alfred, or anything else. I won’t cryptically send letters to the editor once I graduate (…maybe), but I’ll still be around to help out or be an ear to your grievances.

I bow down to your English major, and I can only hope that you’ll bring the FLN to newer heights that I hadn’t even thought about! Or burn it to the ground, honestly either works.

All of the best, and until we meet again,

Samantha Sage, former Editor-in-Chief (2022-2024)

At my first Fiat Lux meeting, my first thought upon seeing Sam Sage was, “wow, that person seems really cool.” My second thought was, “wow, they really have it together!” Despite what Sam may say, I think both of my first impressions were 100% correct– they are really, really cool, and, though they claim otherwise, they’ve run the paper with complete success and impressive organization for the last two years. I know I could never make a Google Drive that neat! 

All jokes aside, Sam has contributed an incredible amount of time, effort, dedication, and talent to the Fiat Lux News. Their articles are always on point, they never forget to send a pre-meeting reminder email, and they’ve handled the occasional angry administrator with poise and professionalism. They make the daunting job of Editor-in-Chief look easy, and though I know now that it isn’t, their example still assures me that it can be done.

As Sam has taken me under their wing, they’ve taught me so much about leadership, teamwork, journalism, and Microsoft Outlook. While I’m never going to feel ready to fill their shoes as Editor-in-Chief, their guidance has been invaluable in making me as ready as I’ll ever be. I’m so grateful to them not only for their newspaper skills, but their kindness, caring, and mentorship as well. Sam, I couldn’t do this without having learned from you. The entire Fiat Lux News team loves you, and we congratulate you on both your impending graduation and your successful tenure as Editor-in-Chief.

Sam isn’t the only graduating senior we at the Fiat Lux will miss. To Jo, our wonderful layout designer and occasional writer, and Ash, staff editor and puzzle maker extraordinaire, we also extend congratulations and well wishes. You’ve both contributed so much to the paper, and it’s been a pleasure to be your friends. We wish all of our seniors truly dazzling amounts of post-graduation success in every conceivable endeavor. 

– Alyra Rain, incoming Editor-in-Chief