Quite a bit has changed in our world since January 19, 2001.
Nearly a year ago Bill Clinton was president of the United States, our armed forces were at peace and the date Sept. 11 had yet to enter our collective consciousness. It was a time now removed from us by just a year on the calendar, but by immeasureably more in units of meaning.
It was also the last time our names did not appear on the masthead of this newspaper.
This is the final edition of The Daily Pennsylvanian that will be published by members of the 117th Board of Editors and Managers. On Tuesday, the names of 27 ambitious and devoted new leaders will grace this page, each of them ready to carry on the legacy of quality, integrity and principled journalism that has hallmarked this newspaper over its long and illustrious history.
What we hope for them -- and indeed, what we hope for the entire Penn community -- is an experience even half as fulfilling as the one we were fortunate to share. Over our 12 months in the newsroom, we have learned much about the forces that make this university run, about the personalities that shape its character, about the value of reliable information and constructive debate within its confines.
Certainly, we have been tested and we have likewise been rewarded. That tragic day in September pushed our limits in ways that we still find hard to comprehend. Our Pacemaker Award, which recognized the DP as one of America's finest college newspapers, was a sweet reward for months of devotion.
Other stories -- from dean searches to Dining Services, Campus Copy to Commencement speakers -- have broadened our understandings of the community around us. We hope they have helped you in much the same way.
Finally, our interaction with the community -- our readers, our staff members and even with our critics -- has helped focus our beliefs and sharpen our commitment to this newspaper and this university.
To all of you, we offer our thanks for such a wonderful gift. May you continue to engage each other as you have this year, and may you continue to look upon this newspaper -- your newspaper -- for the insights and information to help you do so.
