Opinion | Graduating columnists bid farewell to DI
May 2, 2022
As this long and unpredictable year comes to an end, the Opinions section says goodbye to a few of its graduating writers.
Noah Nelson, writing for The DI since August 2018
I’m not sure if genies or fairy godmothers are real. I have never asked any of them for a magical wish. However, I do believe dreams come true.
Four years ago, all I wanted to do was attend the University and make my mark at this wonderful institution. I like to think I did so with flying colors — those colors being orange and blue.
My time at the University was the best roller coaster ride of all. Filled with a great education, incredible memories and even better friends, I cemented my name into University history.
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None of it would have been possible without Block I, Star Course Concert Committee, The Daily Illini, Newman Hall, friends, family and my inner drive to accomplish what I always wanted to do.
I wear my orange and blue with pride each day. And I will forever be an Illini, the best title of all.
Andrew Prozorovsky, writing for The DI since January 2019
In my freshman year, I joined The Daily Illini specifically to write for Opinions. Along the way, I found a respect for the craft of journalism that I never expected.
There, I found a community within a community.
Opinions allowed me to explore my thoughts and values and put them down in writing which evolved into stronger argumentation over time. I served as the Opinions Editor from 2020 to 2021. I couldn’t have asked for a better team of committed, witty writers who joined the table every week and enjoyed the company of one another despite clashing ideologies.
In my experience, The Daily Illini embodies community, pluralism of ideas and the famous Illini spirit — oh, and hating the Oxford comma.
Jude Race, writing for The DI since August 2021
Although I joined only eight months ago, writing for Opinions has helped me grow exponentially as a writer and individual. And while growth naturally comes with growing pains, writing for The DI was a respite amid stressful times.
Our weekly section meetings were always something I looked forward to. Sharing, agreeing and disagreeing with each other’s hot takes never failed to make me think and laugh harder than I would have without such kind, brilliant colleagues.
Wholeheartedly I can say it is a privilege to have worked alongside writers of such a high caliber. I look forward to the fast-approaching day when I can enjoy their columns as an alumnus of the University and The DI.
I wish the Opinions Editor, assistant editors and columnists the best of luck in their future pursuits and thank all of The DI’s devotees for their continued readership.
