 "Photo: Daniel Nguyen/Poly Post")
He may be dressed in black, but next year’s editorial king is riding into the 2010-11 academic year on a white horse.
Greg Toumassian, a fourth-year journalism student, is next in line for the pivotal role as the Poly Post’s next Editor in Chief.
“I think it’s apparent that things aren’t going to be getting better any time soon, and as an editor for a school’s paper, it’s good in the sense that I’ll never be short on content,” he said. “But it’s also going to be very stressful to deal with student emotions, administrative issues and being able to focus on all that needs to be addressed.”
Toumassian started his relationship with the Poly Post as a staff writer, then moved up to opinions editor and now holds the copy editor position.
“When I walked on Cal Poly’s campus in 2007, it was my first year of college and it was my first chance to get involved with a campus newspaper,” he said. “So I entered the Poly Post within the first few months of being enrolled and I’ve been here ever since.”
Toumassian believes the time he has spent editing and writing stories for the Poly Post has prepared him for the top position.
“I’ve been involved with the Poly Post for almost three years and it seems like the logical progression at this point,” he said. “Beyond that, I’m really passionate about my career in journalism.”
Often dressed in all black and possessing several nose piercings, Toumassian does not have the look of a typical newspaper editor, even for a student publication. However, he said he will not let his appearance hold him back from his goal of continuing to publish an excellent newspaper.
“I’ve always been one to say you can’t judge a book by its cover,” Toumassian said.
“Regardless of what my image may portray, at the root of everything I believe that I am a very serious and passionate journalist who wants to make this paper as professional and coherent as its ever been. Before I had the piercing, I always had the intent to do the best job I can for this paper and for this career I want to follow in journalism.”
The one thing Toumassian plans to change for next year is the look and feel of the printed publication.
“I think the Poly Post has made a lot of progress this year with gathering students’ attention,” he said. “The only thing I’d like to work on is increasing the conservative newspaper feel. But I want to continue with the same pursuit of excellence.”
Reach Amanda Newfield at: news@thepolypost.com
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