Hey everyone! I’m Lauren Douda, the editor of the Opinion section here at The Tiger. I’m currently a sophomore double majoring in English and secondary education, and I’m originally from Lexington, South Carolina. I’ve been involved with The Tiger since the fall of my freshman year, and it’s been one of the best parts of my college experience so far.

Joining The Tiger was the first extracurricular decision I made when I came to Clemson, and looking back, I couldn’t have made a better choice. From the very first meeting, I felt welcomed and excited to be part of something creative, collaborative and student-led. I was especially drawn to the Opinion section, where I found an outlet to express my thoughts on just about anything I cared about, big or small. The energy, passion and openness of the Opinion desk immediately drew me in, and I’ve been here ever since.

But the best part of being on staff hasn’t just been the writing, it’s the people. The Tiger is filled with talented, kind and driven students who care deeply about what they do, and some of my closest friends at Clemson are people I met here. If you’re just starting out and feeling a little overwhelmed (which is totally normal!), I really encourage you to stop by. Whether you’re into writing, photography, design, marketing or just want to meet some new people, there’s a place for you here.

Our Opinion section is featured on pages four and five of each issue, and we’re always looking for fresh voices and new perspectives. I hope you enjoy reading what we have to say, and I sincerely hope you’ll consider joining us this August at The Tiger! We’d love to have you.

Lauren Douda is the editor of the Opinion section. She is a sophomore secondary education and English double major from Lexington, South Carolina. Lauren can be reached at [email protected].