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Printer-Friendly ModeVanguard appoints interim Editor-in-Chief
February 26, 2007 —
Valley Vanguard Editor-in-Chief Jason Wolverton has announced his resignation after two-and-a-half years with the publication.
Wolverton made the announcement during Friday's regularly scheduled Professional Journalistic Practices Committee (PJPC) meeting and cited time conflicts as his reason for stepping down. Wolverton has accepted a full-time position as the editor of the Internet news site MidlandOnline.com where he has worked part-time since December.
"My new responsibilities make it difficult to devote the time and effort the Vanguard needs and deserves," Wolverton said. "Stepping down was a difficult decision, but it was a decision I felt I needed to make."
Assistant Editor Aaron Crossen will assume the role of interim editor-in-chief for the remainder of the semester.
"Jason's decision was a necessary one, and it's something we all respect," Crossen said. "Everyone at the paper wishes him the best."
Wolverton, 24, was hired as Vanguard editor last April after spending the previous three semesters as the news editor. In that position, the Burt native won multiple Michigan Collegiate Press Association awards and was part of an editorial staff that helped the Vanguard earn the General Excellence Award this past fall as the best Division II collegiate newspaper in the state.
"Having a hand in helping the paper win that award was certainly the highlight of my time at the Vanguard," Wolverton said. "I'm very proud of how far the paper has come the last few years."
The PJPC also officially announced Kathie Marchlewski-Bechlada as the new advisor of the Vanguard.
Marchlewski-Bechlada has spent the last five years at The Midland Daily News where she covered the Dow Chemical Company and the dioxin contamination in the Tittabawassee River.
"I look foward to working with the Vanguard staff and improving what's already a great paper," she said. "Wolverton has done a great job leading the Vanguard, but I'm confident that the new staff is going to step up to the plate and continue that momentum."
The PJPC also announced that applications for the Fall 2007 editor-in-chief, advertising manager, and business manager positions are now available.
Those interested can pick up an application in Dick Thompson's office in Wickes 125.