“I love journalism for the long nights, early mornings, dull pencils and coffee burps,” said Brian Freiberger, editor of the Echo.
Brian is only entering his sophomore year of college this fall, but the hefty load of editor responsibilities isn’t scaring him off. With a growing passion for journalism, this is exactly the opportunity Brian was looking for to feed his hunger for reporting.
It Takes Passion
Brian, of Onsted, discovered journalism just before graduating high school. Even though it was new to him, he could tell by the intensity of the way it captured his attention that journalism was his calling. “During my time in high school, we created Onsted’s very first newspaper, Paw Prints, and worked with a local television station commenting and prepping sporting events for a live broadcast,” said Brian. “I fell in love with it, I decided that’s what I wanted to study in college pretty quickly.”
Hidden Gem Among the Oaks
Brian describes his love for Olivet similarly to his love of journalism, after just one visit he knew it was the college for him. “The campus has an enchanted feel,” Brian explained. “I almost think I go to Hogwarts from Harry Potter. I visited The University of Olivet during a snowstorm in late January 2015, and immediately fell in love with the vibe.” Brian added that Olivet’s secluded campus allows students to focus on their education without harmful distractions, yet the network of people in the community is expansive enough to form beneficial connections.
Adopting a Newspaper
Passion, humor and structure are the top three points Brian will be focusing on as he takes over the editor duties, roles and responsibilities from Mitch Galloway ’16.
“The Echo was my baby. And I loved that baby,” said Mitch. “The only way I was going to give up that baby was if it was in the right person’s hands. Now, it is. Brian is passionate, poised and proud. If you give him a story and ask him to write it in an hour, he would do it. He wouldn’t complain. He wouldn’t make excuses. He is who he is because of his work ethic, which could be contributed to Olivet’s stellar journalism classes and faculty, and being part of the football team.”
Rise to the Occasion
“Mitch laid a great foundation for the Echo which I’m so excited to build off of,” Brian said. Mitch prepared Brian with the knowledge about the software used to design the newspaper, time management skills and training on effective leadership skills above and beyond the talent it takes to balance the different aspects of producing a read-worthy newspaper. “Mitch is a wonderful writer and I hope by the end of my four years at Olivet I can accomplish all the things he has done, as well as more,” Brian added. “I have big plans for The Echo.”
Pick up a free edition of the Echo on Sept. 16 near any common area on campus or follow news and events updates any time at www.ocecho.com.