I never was supposed to be president of The Daily Pennsylvanian.
When I first arrived at Penn, the faux competency and never-fading self confidence of my classmates appalled me. A little fish in a pond bigger than I could imagine, I told myself I would never make it at Penn, never find the group of friends or community promised to me, never leave an impact, and never find what I needed.
Then, several turns of fate led me to the helm of the DP, Inc., Penn’s 140-year-old, student-run, independent, award-winning newspaper of record.
The DP taught me to believe in myself and to stand by what I believe in unconditionally. Over Zesto Pizza and Grill and Daily Grind smoothies (R.I.P. Saxbys), the DP became my home, my community, my lifeline. The DP gave me my thing at Penn.
As I awoke every morning to check Slack during my term as news editor in 2023, I realized how much I needed the DP to fill my time, give me a sense of purpose, and cultivate my vision of a fulfilled Penn student. The DP filled the margins in my Penn experience and edited the narrative I had decided for myself.
My friends and family still do not know what I did cooped up in 4015 Walnut St. for over 40 hours a week. Most people reading this don’t. They will never understand my $1 million company (read: corner of the world) that I got to run (read: wipe down every table of) for a year.
None of that matters though. I am one student, and if turns of fate led me to a different organization, I could be writing a rather similar column about that club’s impact on my life.
But the DP is different. It is not a club; it is a company, and the work of my 400 staffers mattered to thousands of readers. Day in and day out, I saw how the DP affected Penn. Shaped Penn. Tore Penn apart and put it back together. The DP’s effects on Penn are not turns of fate like my rise to the presidency; rather, this relationship is a necessity.
The DP provides an invaluable source of fair, honest, and dogged journalism about the Penn community, holding our beloved institution accountable for all of its flaws and highlighting its miraculous successes.
Student journalists know the communities they report on better than anyone. In 2023 and 2024, when national media flocked to Penn, the DP held its ground — reporting the facts with an eye for detail and relaying the information that the student body needed. The DP documented the events taking place on campus while paying attention to what really mattered to the stakeholders — not what headline would garner the most retweets.
Faculty and staff have cited the DP as their go-to source of information, filling in gaps from administration and the ensuing rumor mill. When left in the dark about behind the scenes operations of the donors, staff, and officials that pull the strings of College Hall, the DP pursued detailed investigations and scooped decisions before the University was ready to tell you.
The government’s attacks on the freedom of the press represent a chilling possibility of a future without journalistic autonomy. At the DP, we have grappled with administrators denying reporters access to University-wide events, withholding police warrants, and telling DP reporters to stop recording audio at events in public spaces. The Penn community deserves strong reporting, regardless of who attempts to shape these narratives, and I am confident the DP will continue to do that far beyond my graduation.
My favoritism for the News department aside, the DP also provides space for nuanced perspectives to debate contentious topics, visually captures the moments that matter, gives us a reason to cheer for the Red and Blue, serves a breakdown of the best takes on campus, and makes us laugh when we need it most.
The immeasurable impact of the DP on my life dwarves the numerous ways my silly little newspaper impacts the lives of the Penn community everyday. You can disagree with the journalism we produce, but you cannot argue that the DP, 34th Street Magazine, and Under the Button do not hold weight on this campus — even more weight than the DP held in my own Penn career.
The news editors of the 139th Board — Saya and Jared — showed me the power of teamwork, and the rest of my Big Three — Anna and Zain — illustrated the strength of support. My mentors before me — Jonah, Imran, Jesse — and the leaders of today — my successor Abhiram — exemplify the pride of continuing and fostering an undying legacy. But, more important than my individual experience, the DP reliably sent timely news stories, engaging sport recaps, thought-provoking opinion columns, creative puzzles, and more straight to your inbox every day without fail.
To the professors who gave us extensions, touring students who gasped at the cover on Quaker Days, and avid subscribers to our newsletters, thank you for your readership. Our work would not be possible without supporters like you. Please consider donating today to uphold the DP’s mission.
To everyone who questioned the ethics of our journalism, got offended by a UTB post, wrote an angry Sidechat message, and ignored the paper distributors on Locust Walk, thank you also. I hope you continue to engage diligently with your news and critically consume media for years to come.
Despite fulfilling a great need, the DP did not make my life at Penn perfect. Perhaps it was too much to ask a student organization to remedy my imposter syndrome and hand me a golden ticket to a senior society. But alas, the DP does not make Penn perfect. As journalists with full course loads and no “real” experience, we will still make mistakes in our reporting. I ask that you continue to work with us as we strive to uphold our mission as a learning institution.
When I was in need, the DP was there for me. And as Penn is in need, the DP will be there for the Red and Blue — as it has been for the past 140 years.
MOLLY COHEN is a College senior from Elkins Park, Pa. studying communication and political science. She was the president of the 140th Board of The Daily Pennsylvanian, Inc. Previously, she served as news editor on the 139th Board. Her email is mollyco@sas.upenn.edu.
