Editor in Chief- Grace LaTourelle
As the 2025-26 school year comes to a close, the Gustavian Weekly would like to thank our readers and fellow Gusties for their support, as well as reflect on the year as covered by our student newspaper.
I accepted the position of Editor in Chief last spring, following the graduation of previous Editor in Chief, Mel Pardock ‘25. While I was studying abroad this past fall, Variety Editor and Junior Colleen Coleman served as interim Editor in Chief. I am beyond grateful for her commitment to the paper and am proud of what the Weekly was able to accomplish through her leadership.
This year, the Weekly went through several changes. We began a newsletter, sent directly to emails on Fridays, with summaries of our top articles for the week and links to the online publication. If you would like to be added to this email alias, scan the QR code on page 2 or email myself at gracelatourelle@gustavus.edu. We were also able to bring back our horoscope section on page 2, as well as beloved comics created by our Opinion writer and staff artist, Mary Athorp.
This semester, we have been able to cover a variety of topics and important stories, such as campus’ response to ICE, student-led protests such as ICE-out and No Kings, campus’ response to SNAP benefits being cut, Campus’ relationship with our Dakota neighbors, President Volin’s strategic plan, campus AI guidelines, changes to the website, pro-life tabling, and now, in this issue, the Minnesota State Grant. These are things that affect Gusties and are important to so many. We appreciate the support for our publication of these articles and the continued conversations surrounding these topics. Next year, the Weekly aims to continue the pursuit of unbiased journalism and report on the things that matter to Gusties, this campus, as well as our broader communities.
I would also like to thank my staff at the Weekly. Our writers, photographers, distribution managers, and editors are the most dedicated and passionate group of people. I am proud of the work that they have done and am grateful for their commitment to quality work.
Furthermore, we have five Seniors on staff who are graduating this spring that I would like to recognize: Opinion Writer and Staff Artist Mary Athorp; Head Copy Editor Ellie Heyerdahl; Photography Editor and Photographer Soren Sackreiter; Sports Writer Nathan Swanson; and Distribution Manager Hayden Tourtelotte. Special thank you to these seniors, who will be missed beyond measure. Read more on pages 7-8 in Features.
On behalf of the Weekly, we appreciate the support we have received this year. Issue 18, I published an article celebrating National Student Press Freedom Day and highlighting the importance of continued freedom of the press, not only on campus, but in this country. As the Gustavus student newspaper, we renew our commitment to independent, unbiased journalism on campus, being a source of news that you can trust. This, now more than ever, is important.
In the spirit of this heavily editorialized article, I would like to personally encourage you, the reader, to continue to stand up for free speech and engage critically in the world. At Gustavus, we understand that, beyond this institution, we will be lifelong learners. Staying informed helps us to better connect to our communities and make intentional decisions. Our hope, at the Weekly, is that you read these articles and are able to develop a deeper understanding, as well as engage more thoughtfully in discussion and dialogue.
On behalf of the Weekly, happy end of the school year, have a good summer, and thank you for a wonderful year of publication. Thank you for your support and readership, and be on the lookout for hiring ads on our Instagram @gustavianweekly and emails through the Student-L for open positions next Fall.