To the Sacramento State Community:

As you picked up this newspaper, or for those who decided to read this letter online, you might have thought to yourself that something has changed with The State Hornet.

Since 1949, The State Hornet has served Sac State’s students, faculty and staff by bringing you the news and the publication has been a stepping stone for those who have gone on to professional newspapers like the Sacramento Bee, the Orange County Register and USA Today.

Each editor-in-chief selected over the past 64 years has chosen his or her style for giving the news. During  the next two semesters I will do my best, just as my predecessors, to inform you about what is happening on campus and in the surrounding community.

I believe a product should speak for itself; if built correctly, it doesn’t need a bunch of bells and whistles to do the job it is meant to do.

During an interview with “Frontline” on PBS in 1996, Bob Woodward, one of the Washington Post reporters who broke the Watergate scandal in the 1970s, queried, “Journalism gets measured by the quality of information it presents, not the drama or the pyrotechnics associated with us; but, is it good, news-quality information that defines who somebody is?”

I say yes, and that good, news-quality information is going to define The State Hornet during my term as editor-in-chief.

As you read the articles over the next two semesters, know that all the content will be original, newsworthy and reported to the best of our ability. The newspaper will not try to reel you in with shock and awe techniques. Though we know you have many choices to get your news from, whether it is the Sac Bee, New York Times or unofficial news blogs, the State Hornet will always be there to inform you about the news that directly affects you.

Whether this is your first time picking up the State Hornet or you are a long time reader, we would like to receive your feedback, good or bad. Throughout the year, let us know what you think by contacting us on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/statehornet or on Twitter at @TheStateHornet and use the hashtag #hornetfeedback.

Professionalism and high standards will be the foundation of this newspaper and we look forward to serving you by doing what we will do best; giving Sacramento State real news, right now. 

Sincerely,

Ryan Kuhn

Editor-in-Chief