How a newsroom shaped a journalist: A farewell letter

BY COLTON BRADBERRY

Managing Editor

When I walked into the Texan News Service (TNS) newsroom for the first time, I never imagined how much the place would change me. I was a junior with a notepad and a vague idea that journalism might be something I enjoyed.

I had no real sense of what it meant to chase stories, earn trust, write with purpose or work in a newsroom where every person matters. All I knew was that I wanted to learn. What I did not realize then was that the TNS would become one of the most defining parts of my college experience.

Looking back now, as I prepare to graduate, I can trace the steps that brought me from a multimedia journalist who barely knew how to write a broadcast script to the managing editor tasked with editing content and mentoring reporters. Every role I stepped into shaped me in ways I never expected.

I started out as a multimedia journalist, eager and probably a little too nervous for my own good. I remember fumbling through my first assignments, rewriting the same sentences over and over, trying to get every detail right.

My early stories were far from perfect, but the newsroom gave me a place to practice, fail, learn and try again. That freedom to grow was a privilege I will never take for granted. It taught me that journalism is not about being flawless. It is about committing to improvement and showing up the next day to do better than the day before.

From there, I moved into the role of opinion editor, though in a newsroom as small as ours, the job went far beyond managing one section. Even with that title, I found myself editing stories across every category – news, features, sports, opinions and anything else that landed in my inbox.

It taught me a different kind of responsibility and showed me the importance of giving every writer the attention their work deserved. Editing so many different voices forced me to recognize the weight of perspective, tone and accuracy.

This year, stepping into the position of managing editor, everything changed again. It was the biggest leap, the most pressure and the most rewarding challenge I have ever taken on. Being managing editor is not just writing headlines or cleaning up grammar.

I also want to thank our editor-in-chief, Mackenzie Johnson. Working alongside her taught me so much about patience, decision-making and what it means to lead by example. Her leadership shaped our newsroom, and I am grateful for every moment we worked together.

None of this would have been possible without the mentorship of our director, Austin Lewter. I want to thank him for believing in me long before I believed in myself. Austin has a way of pushing you forward while making you feel like you figured it out on your own. He gives honest feedback, celebrates your successes and reminds you that journalism matters even on the days it feels like no one is listening.

Under his leadership, TNS is more than a student newsroom. It is a training ground, a place where students learn what real reporting feels like and how to carry themselves with integrity. I am grateful for every lesson he has taught me and for every opportunity he encouraged me to take. His guidance has shaped the journalist I am becoming.

Some of my favorite memories came from the trips we took as a staff. From the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association convention to the MediaFest convention in Washington D.C., each opportunity gave me a deeper look into the world of journalism beyond Tarleton. TIPA introduced me to student journalists across the state who shared the same nerves, passions and late-night deadline stories we did. We learned, competed, laughed and brought home lessons that stayed with us long after the trip ended.

But MediaFest in Washington D.C. was something else entirely. Walking into rooms filled with working professionals, Pulitzer winners and journalists was surreal. Hearing their stories reminded me that journalism is bigger than our campus and bigger than any byline. It is a profession built on dedication, grit and a commitment to telling the truth. That trip did not just motivate me – it grounded me. It reminded me why I picked up a notebook in the first place.

In between trips, deadlines and long nights in the newsroom, what made this journey truly meaningful were the people standing beside me. I am proud of what we accomplished, and I am grateful for the countless memories this newsroom gave me.

As I look toward graduation, I realize how much of myself I am taking with me rather than leaving behind. My time existed in Google Docs, late-night edits and hours spent in the office during paper night. What I carry with me now are the lessons, the confidence and the sense of purpose this publication helped me build. TNS gave me direction. It gave me a voice. It gave me a community.

Walking away is bittersweet, but it is also a reminder that good things shape you, prepare you and then send you forward. I am ready for what comes next because of what TNS gave me. As I hand this newsroom over to the next group of editors and reporters, I hope they know how lucky they are. The work is challenging, but it is powerful. The deadlines are stressful, but they matter. And the memories you make here stay with you long after you file your last story.

To everyone who trusted me, supported me and challenged me, thank you. To Austin, thank you for showing me the kind of journalist and leader I want to be. To the newsroom, thank you for being a place where I could grow. And to TNS as a whole, thank you for giving me a home for the last few years.

It has been an honor. And as I graduate, I leave knowing this newsroom will always be part of who I am.