During my first semester at Cornell, I sat across from Kavita Bala, the University’s provost, to interview her for my first-ever Sun news story.
A couple weeks before, I sat at my first-ever Sun News section meeting and made my ambitious pitch to interview an administrator as my first piece. My editor marked me down for the story right away — I got to jump right in.
Bala’s office was spotless, and we sat facing one another. She showed off her mandala table in the center of her space and beamed eagerly while explaining its significance — I later made this my article’s lede. I asked my questions, and she answered.
When Bala took office in the spring, my article felt powerful — Cornellians connected with Bala’s story and learned more about our new top administrator who would oversee much of campus. The story added a human touch to the administrative bubble that few students get to see in action.
The News section of The Sun gave me the opportunity, means and support that led me to Bala’s office that day, and kickstarted my continued love for human stories. In News, we’re encouraged to pursue passion projects that will make an impact.
So, what’s going on right now in your corner of campus?
Is there a skinned bear in your dorm’s fridge? Does a TCAT driver always remember your name on your way to CTB? Did you get caught in the crossfire of a protest on your walk to Oken? Will your favorite comedian be cracking some jokes at Barton tonight? Is hubbub on Sidechat spilling into your everyday conversation?
Our News team wants to help you write your story. If you walk in with a pitch, we want to set you up with a source, a mentor and an angle.
Facts fuel conversation and transparency on campus, and in News, you can be the one to educate, share otherwise inaccessible information and platform unheard voices. If hard news isn’t your niche, you can write to just brighten people’s days — spotlight clubs, attend events, talk to people and share their stories.
You can be the vessel for truth, information and clarity on campus in the News section. Join News to tinker with words, play with punchy phrasing, dabble in investigation, find the heart of a story and share it.
Varsha Bhargava is a member of the Class of 2027 in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She is a news editor for the 143rd Editorial Board and can be reached at vbhargava@cornellsun.com.
