Kate Frediani, Editor-in-Chief
In July 2019, sitting in the kitchen of my parents’ house, I stumbled across the Instagram page of, formerly, The University News. There was a post about job openings for copy editors. I told my mom that I was going to apply for the job, adding, “Wouldn’t it be cool if I was Editor-in-Chief my senior year?” Little did pre-freshman me know that that dream would be a reality.
After I was offered this position in May, the first thing I did after accepting the job was open a note on my phone and write down my goals. The first thing that I wrote down was the word loftily. And right below that, change the name of the paper.
This was something I thought about before and when I accepted this position, I didn’t think really that it would happen. And then, much to my surprise, it did. The rebranding to The Cor Chronicle has been such an accomplishment for me. The majority of the response was positive and I am very proud of that.
It has been such an immense pleasure to be the Editor-in-Chief this year. This position taught me how to lead a team, how to give people a voice and, most importantly, how to tell a compelling story.
Thank you to Mr. Zeske for letting me take us on this ride and to my staff, thank you for joining me on this ride. I would not have been able to do this without you.
I am going to miss working on The Cor Chronicle, it has been a wonderful four years, but I am also very excited to pass the torch to Gio and next year’s staff. I have full confidence that they will continue to bring truth to light in all that they publish.
Finally, thank you to everyone who reads our paper. We wouldn’t be here with you. Whether you pick up the paper because of an intriguing headline or just to do the sudoku, I thank you.
Giovanni Del Piero, Junior Editor-in-Chief
I have been tremendously honored to write once again this year for the newly branded Cor Chronicle, and even more so having now served as the Junior Editor-in-Chief this past semester.
Out of the many enjoyable parts of working for the paper, the one I appreciate the most is that the paper has given me the opportunity to meet and talk with all kinds of people from the university. It has helped me to not only further appreciate everything that the University of Dallas community has to offer, but also helps drive home the main mission of The Cor Chronicle: that being a newspaper run and written by students for students.
I want to say a tremendous thank you to our entire staff. I have been consistently blown away and inspired by how dedicated these students are to the art of journalism. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of work they put in, and I hope to ensure such dedication remains with the Cor next year. I also want to thank our Director of Journalism Mr. Mark Zeske. His advice and effort to help ensure the Cor continues to succeed has been invaluable, and has helped all of us to become both better journalists and better people.
And most of all, I want to thank the Cor’s Editor-in-Chief, Kate Frediani. She has put her heart and soul into this paper. She never tires in ensuring that everyone is on the same page — no pun intended — with deadlines and edits, always helps newer writers improve and has been exceptional in helping me prepare for the role of Editor-in-Chief which I will be assuming next year. The Cor would not be what it is without her, and I cannot thank her enough for what she has done.
I’m excited to work with both returning and new staff as we take on the challenges that journalism has to offer. As I prepare to take on the responsibility of Editor-in-Chief, I look forward to applying what I have learned this year to maintain what the Cor is all about.
Emanuel Rame, News Editor
If there is one thing that can hardly be denied about the University of Dallas, it is that the community here is unique. Chalk it up to the Core, the small size of the student body, or our catholic identity, but whatever the cause may be, it’s a rare thing for a week to pass by without something interesting or odd happening.
In the year since I became the news editor at The Cor Chronicle — then The University News — I have had the opportunity to immerse myself in the culture here and work with many students and faculty members. An excellent relationship with the administration, the professors, and the students and the privilege of having their cooperation has been essential to the success of our school newspaper.
I need to thank everyone who wrote for my section. Without them, none of what we do would be possible. From the staff writers who wrote for my section nearly every week to those who only wrote once or twice, these writers have demonstrated a willingness to take time away from their social lives and their studies to find a way to help build up the University’s community.
As any of them can probably attest, I have not always been perfectly attentive — or punctual — but thankfully, each of my writers rose to the challenge, worked independently and managed to pick up the slack wherever necessary.
I want to thank everyone on the editorial staff — present and past — who gave me the opportunity to be part of the school newspaper. Over the three years I’ve spent as part of our little community, I’ve had the privilege of meeting, working with and becoming friends with some of the best people I have ever met.
On top of that, I get to walk away with memories of late-night shenanigans during print layout and the sheer nonsense that is the April fools edition. Particularly during sophomore and junior year — a time of lockdowns and distancing — it was immensely valuable to be working with great people toward a common goal as part of a community.
Zachary Schierl, Commentary Editor
Every section and every editor of The Cor Chronicle is compelled by our motto — “Bringing truth to light”. We all hold the idea that not only is universal truth, but also there is a proper way of finding it. Our motto reflects not just our ambitions as a newspaper in general, but also as a newspaper proper to the University of Dallas — diligently pursuing truth and justice.
When it comes to opinions published in the Commentary section, which I have had the privilege of overseeing and, in part, contributing to, the “truth”, more often than not, is strongly colored by whoever is holding the pen. What, then, is the proper way to the Truth?
James Madison writes, “As long as the reason of man continues fallible, and he is at liberty to exercise it, different opinions will be formed.” I believe that allowing all opinions to be heard, no matter how seemingly stupid or uneducated or miswritten, is the surest way of allowing Truth to grow free from the weeds of misinformation. There is a Teacher in all of us who guides us to know the right from the wrong, and if you trust in Him, the maelstrom of horrible opinions filling this world won’t scare you — in fact, it will excite you, as it has me, to dive in, get dirty and to find the one Truth.
Thank you, as always, to my incredible colleagues on the editorial staff, and to all my writers. Each and every one of you has left an imprint on my soul which will remain forever, and I am beyond proud to have worked alongside you all. I have no doubt that whatever it is each of you end up pursuing, you will not only succeed, but thrive.
To you all,
“May the sun shine warm upon your face;
the rains fall soft upon your fields,
and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of His hand.”
Elsa Feltl, Arts & Culture Editor
Culture is a funny thing. Every part of life at the University of Dallas — Core texts, niche majors, chatting on the Mall, dancing at TGIT — is conducive to culture. We must ask ourselves, however: what culture do we want here?
This incarnation of the student newspaper, The Cor Chronicle, attempts to capture a culture that “brings truth to light.” The “Cor,” or heart, of UD is more than the aforementioned parts of life – it is our students.
Students are not only what makes UD worth attending, but the students are what make The Cor Chronicle worth reading. In a recent New York Times opinion piece, our student newspaper (ours!) was mentioned. Jonathan Malesic, who might only be familiar with our under-the-radar university since he teaches at UTD, mentions how our great books curriculum is evident in our articles. The infamous barefoot articles garnered a mention, if only for the initial opinion piece’s allusion to “The Divine Comedy.”
The main point of Malesic’s article was focused on claims regarding free speech among college students. College students, Malesic notes, are often “too reluctant to express strong opinions about the world at large.” But here at UD, we have all sorts of strong opinions. So express your strong opinion! If feedback is taken with humility and we are willing to be corrected, it is for our own improvement, and others’ too.
After my second year as editor of Arts and Culture, and third year as a newspaper staff member, I’ve been pleased to be part of a culture that facilitates discussion and growth. So many times I’ve witnessed frustrated readers write a response or initiate conversations regarding a hotly contested article. That is the culture we must strive for at the University of Dallas.
Edith Stein said, “Do not accept anything as truth that lacks love and do not accept anything as love that lacks truth.” May UD’s culture foster meaningful discourse and may we treat each other with truth and love.
Thank you to those who have shared your story with us and thank you to the members of the editorial team for their diligence and friendship.
Mary Traylor, Community Editor
I never expected that I would end up working for the school newspaper, but somehow it ended up happening anyway. I hadn’t even written for the paper before then but there I was, now in charge of the Community section. I’m glad things turned out the way they did. It has been a privilege working at The Cor Chronicle with a bunch of talented and creative editors and writers. Their hard work and professionalism really shines through all that they do. I’m grateful that I had the chance to take on this role as Community Editor and contribute to its success. I learned some things along the way and now I have something neat to throw onto my resume.
I think it’s really great that people’s artwork, spiritual reflections, trips, random tips etc., have a platform and can be shared with everyone, helping the community stay connected. I hope that continues. The Community section really did just turn into a Catholic blog though. This is a Catholic school so it makes sense that we would have a space dedicated to that key part of our identity. It’s one of the things that binds UD students togethers as a community after all, so I hope my successors hold onto that.
Nevertheless, I wonder if there are some corners of the UD world that have been cast in shadows or simply forgotten. If so, feel free to take the opportunity next year to change that. The paper is always open to new ideas.
You guys kind of slacked on those groundhog questions which isn’t good because they helped me fill space. But I forgive you.
Finally, the best part of working for The Cor Chronicle — besides the money, obviously — has been the wonderful people. It’s been a real pleasure.
Karla Espinoza, Sports Editor
In freshman year, I decided to work on taking home game statistics for the beloved University of Dallas. In each home game shift, I got to witness our student athletes be more than just athletes.
I got to see student athletes beam when they recognized a special spectator from across the field. I got to overhear their worries in class or on what they are planning on wearing for the next dance. I got to see a secret sweet side of them.
When I was recruited by Kate Frediani to become the sports editor, I made it my mission to revive the section by showing all the hidden gems that I treasured.
I wanted to create a sports section where student athletes wanted to take home a copy or share its online link out of pride; I wanted regular students to recognize them on campus without their jersey uniform on and be able to connect beyond their sport.
My goals were not easy to accomplish since the sports section was not conditioned for the big change that I was planning. Additionally, this was my first time being a sports editor. Thankfully, the editorial team was my biggest support in mentoring and encouraging me, especially Kate and Kelly Dougherty.
My goal for next year is to better cover all the sports teams on campus, especially the spring sports. Hopefully, with the foundation that I paved this year, interviewing and getting different student athletes to be involved, will make it easier.
I would like to thank all the senior editors and copy editors for their patience and enthusiasm throughout this new experience. Without them, I wouldn’t have been able to create a new sense of pride within student athletes, their teams, and the university.
I would also like to thank my readers who gave the reinvented sports section a chance. Because of you, our student athletes are given the opportunity to be seen for who they truly are. You are a part of the big change in connecting student athletes and students together.
Kelly Dougherty, Photography Editor
Senior year of college is approaching its finale. I cannot express my thanks more deeply to the faculty, staff, students and alumni of The University of Dallas for transforming my mind.
I have loved growing in a relationship with this community through reading and pondering each article and wandering around campus finding pieces of beauty that justly accompany the quality of my peers’ journalism and convey their meaning. It was my greatest creative challenge. It has been bittersweet because once you discover the beauty it doesn’t leave your mind’s eye. The opportunity to mindfully look at campus has allowed me to learn its hidden charm and has made it that much harder to say goodbye.
I had the privilege of growing in relationship with my fellow editors and our advisor Mr. Zeske. The entire staff of the newspaper is incredibly talented and hard-working. Us editors get our names in the paper each week but, behind the scenes the layout staff and the copy editors are heroes.
One of my favorite parts of this job was the plethora of new acquaintances I made and the 10 minutes I got to spend with each of them. It opened my eyes to the amazing individuals behind the scenes making this education available to us. Thank you to everyone who responded to one of my emails and every writer who helped me find photos, it wasn’t always easy.
I will cherish being a part of the team responsible for rebranding the newspaper. Spearheaded by our fearless Kate, we intentionally discussed our mission and values. We had the opportunity to define ourselves and the work that we do. For me, the paper is about dialogue. Inspiring members of our community to call attention to issues and successes and discuss the future. This dialogue and the subsequent effects, this participation in the active mind of the university is what makes our college experience unique and how we leave a lasting impact on our alma mater.
Now it is time for me to move on. Thank you to every person connected to UD, this community will always be one of my greatest treasures. I leave you with an invocation: read, contemplate, discuss, write, create, love, cry and pray while you’re doing it.
Melanie McGonigle, General Manager
As the general manager of The Cor Chronicle, I’ve had many different responsibilities that range from posting our weekly articles to the website and social media to handling advertisements. However, one of my favorite aspects of my job has been laying out the paper every Monday evening.
It’s always thrilling to walk into the newsroom each week. The very nature of a newspaper is that each publication is never the same. I always look forward to the challenge of providing a space for each unique article to shine in the paper.
At the core — see what I did there? — of The Cor Chronicle newspaper lie the words and ideas that reflect the passions of UD students and faculty. However, creating the physical layout of the paper is an art in itself. There are always important choices to be made to entice a person to pick up the paper. Which photos should be in color? Which article should be placed above the fold? One of the most important parts of a layout editor’s job is to get into the mind of the reader. What would draw me in? What characteristics of the paper are most memorable?
For me, the most memorable parts of the newspaper are the articles and photographs that represent the UD community. The smiling faces of UD students and faculty look up at me as I open the paper, and I am reminded of all of the wonderful memories from the past four years with the very same people.
It has been a pleasure working for The Cor Chronicle for the past two years. Being able to contribute to the growth of the UD community through the discussion of events, news, and opinions from students and faculty has been a privilege that I will never forget as I close the UD chapter of my life.
