Michael Curran:
Over the past four years on campus, I have joined many new activities and left some behind, but the one constant has been my work with the 1851 Chronicle.
I heard about the 1851 Chronicle during campus visits, and I immediately knew that being a member of the newspaper was something I wanted to be a part of.
Once I committed to Lasell, I had an instant connection with the Chronicle because of my teammates on the cross-country team, former Editor-In-Chief Hanna Babek, and former Arts Director Pat Carbone, who implored me to join, so I adhered and joined the first meeting on the first day of classes my freshman year.
That first meeting was nerve-racking; it was my first day on campus, and meeting upperclassmen who had more experience and seniority within the newspaper already. I was nervous to take stories from them because of how involved they were already with the newspaper, but over time, having the chance to write stories with them was beneficial for my growth.
My involvement grew year-to-year from taking just one story at a time to multiple stories per issue. Gaining more involvement as a writer, I received the opportunity to learn more about the people, places, and organizations that make the campus special.
I first started as an editor on our digital team during my sophomore year. I built an understanding of how to put the newspaper together by watching and editing on the fly, which expanded my knowledge of newspaper production. This continued during my junior year as our News Editor.
This year, I took on the role of Editor-in-Chief, which is a crucial position; you have to stay organized, plan for stories that are getting told and reported on, and decide where they fit in your plan each month. It can become time-consuming, especially when balancing it with schoolwork, but in the end, I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Ryan Ruff:
When I came to Lasell, I needed to find a sense of belonging. It wasn’t until I joined the 1851 Chronicle that I found it. At first, I was afraid and unsure of my abilities. Over time, I understood that I was more than worthy to be part of a news publication. After a while, I proved that I could help lead it.
Looking back on my earlier pieces, creating a story took much longer. The process was more strenuous, and it didn’t help that no one on campus knew who I was. I was nervous to ask people questions. For some stories, I got discouraged entirely. Now in my senior year, I’ve conducted interviews with a myriad of figures on campus, met and spoken with Brad Stevens, and now routinely get opportunities to see films before they come out to the general public.
There are so many moments from these past four years that have helped shape who I am, and I wouldn’t change any of them. Late layout nights have been something to get used to, and surprisingly, something I will miss. They are draining, challenging, and downright annoying, but being able to push out a newspaper after all our hard work is more than rewarding.
The challenges that I and the rest of the newsroom have faced this year have been a push, not an inhibitor. From chasing down complex stories, meeting impactful figures, and getting awards, the experiences I’ve had as a member of the newspaper have been second to none. This year has posed plenty of tests, and many of them have left me reeling. Being able to show up weekly and get things done regardless is what kept me going. My lone year as Editor-in-Chief has been tiresome, but the entire newsroom has done nothing but welcome challenge after challenge.
I’d like to think that I’ve helped shape the campus culture through my writing, and the people who come up to me and tell me they’ve enjoyed what I put out only motivate me to keep doing just that. The 1851 Chronicle has helped change me as an individual, so it is only right that I make every effort I can to change the university positively. My journey in journalism is far from over, but turning this page will surely sting. I’m not just moving on; I’m leaving a version of myself.
My legacy as a member of the 1851 Chronicle is something that I will cherish and look back on with pride.
Jacob Lustig:
At the start of my journey here at Lasell, I was unsure of what I wanted my path to look like.
With so many different interests and adventures to test out, I found my first few weeks in this environment extremely overwhelming. I had already switched my major from secondary education in English to public relations, and that still did not answer the question: What did I want to do with the rest of my life?
My entire first year was spent trying to answer this question. I joined clubs and organizations, enjoyed making memories with my closest peers, and started to find a sense of comfort and community at Lasell. Slowly, this school became home, and it was not as scary or overwhelming as it once had been.
By the end of my first year, I had managed to change my major yet again. Settling into applied mathematics, I was on a path that felt right.
When looking for different things to take part in during the spring of my sophomore year, I joined, encouraged by former Editor-in-Chief Hanna Babek and former Arts and Entertainment Editor Caitlin Orsino. It was because of those two individuals that I fell back in love with writing and reporting for our campus; I was able to make a hobby out of the skills that I developed early on campus.
I am proud of my willingness to explore a different sort of opportunity. My time on the Chronicle allowed me to make connections with individuals from different majors. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity to be a writer and even more so an editor for such an amazing publication.
If I ever write again for a paper, the 1851 Chronicle will hold a special place in my heart.
–May 15, 2026–
