Our mission is to serve

They said that in the year 2001, everything would change. But at this time every January since 1885, the incoming executive editor of this newspaper has introduced himself or herself on this page. And now, as The Daily Pennsylvanian enters its 117th year under a new team of leaders and a new vision for our future, I would like to do the same. Everyday, tens of thousands of members of our community read the DP and visit dailypennsylvanian.com. Thursdays bring 34th Street, our award-winning arts and entertainment magazine. And on Tuesdays The Weekly Pennsylvanian, a news digest, is mailed to parents and alumni around the country. This year, as in all those before, we will continue to pursue excellence. In all four of our publications, we strive for depth of coverage, accuracy of content and visual strength. In each of these areas, we pledge continued effort throughout the year. In order to grow as a news organization and to adapt to the needs of our readers, we are willing to change. Yet through that change, we will not forget the single most important factor in our century-long history -- you, our stakeholders. You are our readers, who browse our pages on a daily basis. You are our advertisers, who see the value in the services we provide. You are our online visitors, who come to us in cyberspace, seeking the latest news from the Penn and Philadelphia communities. From 9 a.m. -- when the doors of our office first open -- to 3 a.m. that night -- when we send the paper to our printer -- members of the DP's dedicated team pledge their energy and their time to deliver our publications. Our mission at the DP is to serve. Accordingly, we are ready to continue taking on the responsibilities that come with your readership. We understand that our media has significant power and that the printed word can be mighty. We will strive to use this force appropriately and we continue to invite your confidence. We pledge our dedication to the highest journalistic standards. Over the course of the coming year, there will be times that your confidence may waver. If we inadvertently err, we ask that you don't stop reading our pages. Instead, challenge us at our word and let us know where we have let you down. Our organization will only be strengthened by this interaction. And you will grow stronger as well by actively exercising your own voice. Today, the DP is entering another year of new leadership, and it does so as one of the best collegiate news organizations in the country. This success is due to the fact that many of you have crossed the line from reader to DP staff member. You have demanded the same quality and excellence as reporters, advertising reps, photographers and finance staff members that you have as readers. Many came because they felt journalism calling. Others wanted to run a $1.5 million corporation. But no matter the reasons, DPers now labor out of a desire to contribute to our community and to continue a tradition now 117 years in the making. I commend these people because they choose to participate -- they make a conscious choice to pick up their pens and act. In order to address the wide variety of issues in our community, we need a diverse group to help us serve you. To those of you who read our publications, we thank you for your trust and we promise to continue our daily tradition of bringing a broad spectrum of news to you quickly and comprehensively. And to those who are interested in becoming part of the history, we encourage you to join us. Become a writer, a designer, a credit representative, anything that suits you. Our organization is shaped by the people who come through its doors. And it is only with you that we can grow even further. The DPwill hold its informational meetings on January 23 at our offices at 4015 Walnut Street. Without you, we cannot continue our decades of success nor push forward to create new traditions. Tomorrow, come and visit our Pink Palace. I know that you will enjoy your stay.

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