Junior Sarah Frier will be the 144th editor-in-chief of The Daily Tar Heel after gaining a majority approval from the editor selection committee Saturday.
“It’s an incredible feeling to know that I’ll have the chance to shape the next year of The Daily Tar Heel,” she said, adding that her selection was a relief but also carried much responsibility.
She will serve as editor for the 2010-11 school year.
“As much as it’s a weight off my shoulders, it’s an even bigger weight on them,” she said.
Committee members said they believe she has the qualities to make a good editor.
“I thought she did a great job responding to the questions,” said Chapel Hill resident Fred Black. “I think The Daily Tar Heel is in good hands with her as editor.”
Black, a leadership development consultant chosen to be a voice of the Chapel Hill community on the committee, said he was impressed with Frier’s preparedness and ability to answer tough questions about how she plans to handle the upcoming trials of the men charged with killing former Student Body President Eve Carson.
“I like the idea that she’s thinking ahead,” said Black in reference to Frier’s plan to bring in outside help to properly instruct writers how to cover long, complicated and high-profile trials.
Frier said two of the main things she is looking forward to tackling as editor-in-chief are an increased scrutiny of University finances and making the paper more involved in the community at large as it moves off campus to a new office on Rosemary Street.
She also said that while she was the only candidate for the position, that doesn’t mean she will be less accountable and open to suggestions.
“I know sometimes I may not have the right answer,” she said. “But anyone who has feedback on how to move forward — I would love to hear it … The more ideas on the table, the best ones come out.”
And she doesn’t have to look past the newsroom for help.
“I’ll be around for the next few weeks to lend a hand,” said outgoing editor-in-chief Andrew Dunn.
“I’m excited to see what she does with the paper next year.”
Frier said that as the paper moves off campus, she could see its future evolving into more of a conversation and debate with the University and town, and that she believes that will lead to a better paper and news process.
The committee’s final vote tally will not be released, but Frier received at least six votes from the 11-member panel made of students, faculty, community representatives and The Daily Tar Heel staff.
Frier’s main goals for The Daily Tar Heel
As a news source:
- To ensure that The Daily Tar Heel grows in its ability to spark and foster community discussion.
- To increase our accountability to readers.
- To rededicate ourselves to proactive coverage no other news source can provide.
As a leader:
- To train the staff and prepare them for jobs in the journalism industry, using their skills to full potential.
- To instill in all staff members that they are working toward a common goal and inspire them to be curious, risky, excited. We should all strive to be better, all the time, and love the challenge.
- To be a transparent, collaborative leader when coming up with a solution to problems.
Contact the University Editor at udesk@unc.edu.
