Effective yesterday, our general manager, Jack Smith, has resigned and left his position.
While we find ourselves saddened and slightly dismayed by his decision, we know it is the best one for him, and we do not begrudge him that.
We think had he known we were planning to write a farewell editorial to him, he may have tried to stop us, so we apologize, Jack, for what's to come. Whether you like it or not, you get a laudatory editorial.
When he heard this publication needed help, he saddled up.
While he was only with us for almost 4 months, the job he's done to right this ship has been nothing short of admirable and slightly miraculous.
His accomplishments need no embellishment.
Our budget deficits are shrinking, not growing.
Our page count has climbed from the low numbers it saw in previous years, allowing us to cover news on this campus the way it should be covered.
We have a motivated, hard-working business staff he helped choose and train.
He gave us a loan of credibility from his personal credibility bank, as the previous tenant of his office left us in want of a great deal of credibility and honesty.
He offered counsel when asked and was always happy to lend a hand.
He encouraged, he prodded and he spurred us along.
His energy and spunk were contagious, prompting us to get excited again, too.
However, it's that same energy and spark that somehow let us know he would not be with us for a long amount of time.
Jack Smith, in his soul, is a newsman, as his father was before him (and his father before him).
He needs to be out with the people, telling their stories and shining a light into the darker places of our world.
It was admirable and kind of him to help us in our time of need, but his is the world of spiral notebooks and pounding pavements, not campus bureaucracy and red tape.
We don't fully know what the future may hold for Jack.
Neither does he.
However, we aren't worried at all.
The Jack Smith we've come to know and love will no doubt go on to bigger and better things, making us proud to say that we once served under him.
He will continue to be a beacon for good, honest journalism, and certainly more than fill the large shoes left by his forbearers.
While we hate to see him leave, we stand with him and wish him well, offering our full support and prayers.
God's speed, sir.
Journey on
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