BY TOM SEIPP, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
My entire life, I always thought I was headed to a school in New York City. I thought about it from as early as I could remember. When I went on a visit to this school, I considered applying with an early decision application. My friends were shocked weeks later when I told them I was going to go to St. Bonaventure.
I came here for the academics, Bonaventure provides a much better journalism program than where I would’ve gone. But, I also came here because of the opportunities I had to get involved so quickly with student media, which included joining The BonaVenture.
Joining the BV was my first priority on campus. At the time, I was assigned John Pullano – who I can now call a good friend – to be my peer coach. He, who was the sports editor at the time, was the first person that helped me get involved in the newspaper.
Since 7th grade, I have always wanted to write for a newspaper when I grew older. It’s always been a dream of mine. Just to see my byline in a printed newspaper was all I wanted. In Sept. 2019, when the first BV edition of the year came out with my golf article titled “Golf on par to start the season,” (yes, I thought it was so creative) I was so excited.
I put the paper on my Snapchat story, sent it to friends and family, and kept multiple editions in my room for safekeeping. I now have that stack saved in my room at home.
As time went on, I was quickly honored to be named the sports assignment editor, the sports editor, the managing editor and now, the editor-in-chief. I couldn’t be more gracious for all of the opportunities I’ve had.
While I’m gracious for all of the learning experiences that have come with the newspaper, including being able to cover up each and every sports team on campus, as I’ve learned so much just from experience.
I’ll forever be grateful for never being able to schedule anything during my time on campus on Wednesday nights. I’ll admit, I definitely am one of the reasons we had to stay so late at night, as, quite frankly, I never stopped talking. But, my time spent in the downstairs of the Reilly Center is time I will never be ungrateful for.
I do have a few thank you’s:
To Professor McNall, thank you for always working with me. You’ve easily been one of the professors who I have such a good relationship with, always being able to talk about quite literally everything. I couldn’t say thank you enough for all you’ve done for me on campus. Whether it’s helping me with The BV or The Buzz, you’ve always been someone I could rely on no matter the time. Don’t get too excited, we’re not done working together – we still have one more year working together upstairs! You’re the best.
To John Pullano, thank you for getting me involved in The BV so quickly. If it wasn’t for you giving me a chance as the sports assignment editor my freshman year, I wouldn’t have had the growth I’ve had so quickly. I’m so happy I can call you a friend and someone who I respect as a journalist.
To Nathan Solomon, you’ve been someone I can count on time and time again. I see so much of myself in the way you work, as I’ve had the pleasure of working with you in both the newsroom and the radio station. You have a drive that can’t be taught, while your “old-school” journalistic work is one I admire. You’ve done a tremendous job with the sports section, and I’m so excited to see that continue next semester.
To Tucker, Erica, Emilie, Cassidey, Kelsey, Will and Kurt, thank you all for everything you’ve done this last semester. I am so gracious of all your work, as each of you provided so much to our paper over the last year. Thanks for always listening to me into the late Wednesday nights. From getting excited about Knicks games to having arguments about Western and Central New York, I cherished our time together so much and will truly miss our time together (I’m definitely visiting often next semester, don’t get too excited).
To the many who have critiqued The BV over my tenure, THANK YOU! Your work never goes without notice. I couldn’t be more gracious of all of you. Thank you for your dedication to us and our paper.
I know this is my last article that reads “Tom Seipp, Editor-In-Chief,” but I know this is far from my last piece in The BV.
You can’t get rid of me, BV, I love this paper – and this school – way too much.
