Dear Whit Readers,

It has been with great pleasure, and incredible gratitude that I write one last article for the publication that is permanently stamped on my career, my heart, and my soul. 

My journey here at The Whit began when I was running late for the first class of my fall semester of my sophomore year— Media Ethics with Professor Diulio. Quite serendipitously, 10 minutes into the lecture there was one available seat left, next to Gianna Malgieri, The Whit’s News Editor at the time. 

I was never one to join academic clubs, in fact I was quite intimidated by them, but something about the way Gianna and Professor Diulio encouraged me to come out and contribute The Whit stuck with me, and nervously I showed up at the old bank at 6 East High Street at 5:00 p.m. that Wednesday in September.

Waiting anxiously in my car at 4:45 p.m., I almost turned around, and I thank the universe every day that I didn’t. Full disclosure, I was completely and entirely terrified. No amount of positive affirmations shook that away, but I knew that I could either go home to what I knew, or step into the meeting and see who I could become if I tried, and I mean really tried to follow my dreams of being a professional writer. I chose the latter, and the rest is history. 

Three years, over 50 articles, six semesters, hundreds of interviews, a sorority resignation (and accompanying life-changing opinion piece), countless freelance assignments, three professional conferences, and lots of late night production meetings later– that same girl who “did it scared” is facing one of her fears again. 

Writing my last article for The Whit, and graduating from Rowan University.

Now, you might be wondering why this is relevant. If there’s anything to be said about our society, especially today, it’s that we’re all afraid, like…all the time. But what I want to emphasize as I leave this office, is that you don’t have to run away from the things that scare you, especially the dreams that keep you up at night. You should actually run towards them at full speed.

My experience at The Whit has been the greatest story of my college career. It has what every good plot should have: excitement, disappointment, happiness, fear, indecision, loneliness, community, and love.

I’ve written about business leaders, scientists, politicians, students who act like they know it all, and students who are just waiting for the weekend. I’ve been able to attend fashion shows, and travel to rural communities’ town council meetings within the same week. This paper has led me to award ceremonies and more importantly— some of the best people I’ve ever known.

My colleagues here at The Whit, and within the journalism department have inspired me to be the best writer, journalist, and person I can be. Laughter, which for me usually turns into silent tears of joy, is constantly fueling our late night meetings alongside passion and ambition that is rare to see anywhere else. 

The editors I’ve worked with during my time here are some of the best journalists I know, constantly pushing past what is expected of them, and going the extra mile to not only do their best on their articles and pages, but to help others do their best as well. They are some of my closest friends in the world– and support one another through the good, and the bad with the same diligence and energy they pour into their work. I don’t know where I would be without all of the inside jokes, boosts of encouragement, gossip sessions, slumber parties, shoulders to cry on, and sushi dates throughout the years. They are the first people I text when I wake up most mornings, and usually the last people I talk to before I go to bed. 

I am certain that all of our staff will find success in greater amounts than we can even imagine. And I will always be cheering every one of you on every step of the way. If we are the future of this industry, journalism is shining brighter than it ever has before.

The Whit also brought me to the entrepreneurship college, which quickly became another home for me at Rowan. During my news internship as a sophomore, I stumbled across a sign in the Business Hall, while grabbing coffee before our Wednesday night meeting. It announced that Rowan’s entrepreneurship program was ranked in the Top 50 in the Princeton Review and with 30 minutes until our content meeting, no pitches for my editors, and a hint of curiosity I snapped a photo of the door, and headed on my way. 

That week I would speak with students, faculty, and leaders in the department who were all working towards creating a better world across an array of industries. Something here clicked, in a way that didn’t with other interviews or conversations for my weekly stories. Immediately inspired, I dropped my double major in Radio/TV/Film and decided to follow this newfound passion with an entrepreneurship minor. 

What I discovered was a community of people who encouraged me to not only follow my love for journalism, but to be a catalyst for change within the industry. I learned things about myself that I never knew I was capable of, like pitching a magazine idea at a business expo. 

The girl who never felt like she fit into a box her entire life, was finally free to think and act outside of it– and embrace the one quality she always tried to hide away. For the first time in my life, I saw my independence as a superpower instead of a weakness. And I found friends and mentors who were changing the world and disrupting the status quo every single day.

In August, I’ll even be heading to Florida State University to pursue a masters in product development entrepreneurship. I am determined to bring my solutions journalism ideas to life, and start a positive ripple of change in an industry that can be plagued with negativity, sensationalism, and misinformation.

Leaving this publication, and the incredible community that makes it all possible is the most bittersweet goodbye of my life. I feel incredibly lucky to have written, led, and participated in such a special project, one that will continue to impact the community long, long after my colleagues and I are gone. 

I also want to thank all of my friends and family who have supported me throughout this entire journey. Whether you let me crash on your couch when my sorority article caused an uproar, read our papers on your way to class, or understood when the deadline was more important than the party– you are a part of my story, and I hope I am making you proud. 

Finally, I thank my alarm for not sounding on that first day of class. What I thought was the start of a bad day, was actually the catalyst for my journey to find myself as a journalist, and as a person. Sometimes the burnt toast, missed alarms, and heart aching endings are the beginning of the next beautiful chapter, and what an exceptional one this has been.

So, here’s to doing it scared.

With all my love,

Madison Parker Miller

For comments/questions about this story DM us on Instagram @thewhitatrowan or email opinion@gmail.com