Farewell: 101 stories later

Out of my 101 Talon stories, this one is the hardest to write. 

Maybe because the memory of my 17 year old self entering the newsroom for the first time doesn’t feel too far in the past. She knew exactly what she wanted, and I have the pleasure of telling her she got every little thing. While my heart swells with gratitude, it also aches coming to terms with goodbye.

I will miss staying up all night to publish Spring Sing photos. 

I will miss getting to know people on this campus through intentional interview questions rather than shallow small talk. 

I will miss leading my staff as editor in chief, the piece of the dream I always looked forward to the very most. 

I will no longer scramble to publish Talon stories by 10 a.m. Nor will 11 a.m. be a time designated for worship with my dearest friends. The menu in the Branch will no longer be information I need to seek out. Even though these academic rhythms have run their course, I will carry each one with me. These moments shaped me. 

Throughout my time at Oklahoma Christian, I have read the book of Ecclesiastes in classes more times than expected. Through the Talon, I have experienced this verse semester after semester: 

“I perceived that there is nothing better for them than to be joyful and to do good as long as they live; also that everyone should eat and drink and take pleasure in all his toil—this is God’s gift to man.” Ecclesiastes 3:12-13

While I do take pride in the work, the pleasure comes from the people I work with. I cherish deeply the privilege I held to see my favorite people every day. As I look at the newsroom from my raised desk, I can see my memories of laughter and learning. I can also see the legacies of those who came before me and those who will come after. 

There is no better way to spend time at a university than by telling its stories. Though I will no longer facilitate news on this campus, my byline is set to reappear. As the people of this university do amazing things, I hope I continue to steward those stories. 

As for this bittersweet moment in time, I will clear my desk of its “journalist in progress mug,” AP Style Guide and my name plate. I will turn off the TVs and the light switch. I will stop and listen as the newsroom door creaks its goodbye. 

I leave this hallway (and that overly ambitious 17 year old girl) with a heart more full of love for this campus and its people than I ever imagined possible. 

Sentimentally, 

-Faithanna Olsson