Tigers,
First, let me introduce myself: my name is Saavon Smalls and I am The Tiger’s incumbent Editor-in-Chief.
Sitting now at my desk writing this, it’s almost ludicrous to imagine the changes that I’ve witnessed from my start with The Tiger in 2014 to today — both at this paper and this institution. One thing I can say is that this academic year has truly been a historic one as Tigers, as South Carolinians and as Americans.
Clemson has both witnessed and been a part of a heated election cycle, protests, debates, controversies and successes. Through it all, The Tiger has been there to cover it.
However, this organization knows that it is not perfect. Football star Vince Lombardi once said, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.”
That means that we will try our hardest to make sure that this publication does right by you and does its utmost to be the best it can be. Over the next semester, The Tiger will strive to make changes that exemplify Lombardi’s statement. This includes covering a diverse array of students, stylistic changes and the addition of more interactive content. Regardless of the changes, we here at The Tiger want to make sure it’s the paper which “roars for Clemson.”
And while we want to make changes, to represent a full Clemson family and to help create dialogue on campus, we cannot do this alone. This is where we’ll need your help, Tigers. Every student, faculty member, staffer and administrator has the skills essential to assist in documenting Clemson’s history. From joining our senior and junior staffs as writers, to informing us of your stories to report and even critiquing us, every action helps. In fact, it not only helps The Tiger, but our entire community, as we make strides to truly embody what it means to know ourselves and others.
United States President John F. Kennedy once said, “Those who dare to fail miserably can achieve greatly.” This year marks our 110th anniversary, and through those years, we have made bold decisions. Let’s continue that tradition, this time with you helping us make sure those decisions are the right ones. By doing so, we can achieve greatness, catch excellence and truly reflect the Clemson experience.
Expect more, roar on and go Tigers,
Saavon Smalls