One of the more enjoyable tasks of putting out this publication -- from an editor's perspective -- is working with our ever-changing batch of columnists each semester. But this September, we in the Curtis Hall basement were beginning to feel slightly apprehensive because up until our column submissions deadline neared, we had a mere smattering of applicants.
The volume of submissions grew on deadline day, much to our relief, but you may notice that the number of columns this fall is of a lesser amount than in previous semesters.
But we could not be more enthusiastic with the columnists who, bit by bit, will be unveiled and will debut throughout this week and for the rest of the semester, Monday through Thursday. Our first pairing of columnists is a duo of seniors with wit and attitude: Alex Sherman ("Retrospective," Viewpoints), this fall's obligatory Rantin' Columnist, who likes to have a side of humor with his realistic approach to daily thoughts and observations; and Sydne Summer ("How To," Features), a native of Hollywood Hills, Calif., whose spry tone steers her advice columns through splashes of cosmopolitan sass.
In addition to our Monday columnists, we have eight others who all bring their own plates of humor, expertise, and observations to the table.
Our youngest columnists are a group of four from the sophomore Class of 2008. To sympathize with all our anxieties and frustrations with college life is Meredith Pickett ("The Eyes of Texas," Viewpoints) -- not to be confused with Chuck Norris' "Walker, Texas Ranger." Our Sports section will also feature two young'uns, both renaissance sportsmen: Benjamin Swasey ("From Way Downtown," Sports) and veteran columnist Alex Bloom ("Philly Phodder," Sports). And for a happy ending to this group is Sara Franklin ("Oh My!: Sex Straight-Up," Arts), our first sex columnist to emerge after a one-year hiatus. Franklin brings plenty of hilarity and clever analogies to her writing, leaving us little doubt that we'll ever go unsatisfied.
As a significant chunk of our junior class -- the Class of 2007 -- is studying abroad right now, it's only fitting that our two columnists from this year are both residing overseas and will be sending us weekly reports. Following a gradually-building Daily tradition of study abroad columnists from Paris, Tokyo, and Hong Kong, we head back to Europe this fall: Julie Schindall ("Making the Connections," Arts) will educate us on the arts Switzerland has to offer, and the Prague-based David Pomerantz ("Pom in Prague," Features) will trace his footsteps -- and massive neck muscles -- through his Europe-side travels for four months.
And last, but never least, is our group of four senior columnists from the Class of 2006, who just happen to compose one of the most knowledgeable line-ups of columnists in Daily history. Aside from Sherman and Summer, we have Keith Barry ("Blight on the Hill," Viewpoints) whose sharp, witty, and informed writing leaves little about Tufts at its mercy; and Cole Liberator ("Hot Peas and Butter," Sports) whose columns successfully attract both sports aficionados and sports neophytes alike.
So welcome to the real beginning of the Daily's fall semester, where we hope that there will be something to whet everyone's appetite.
