Letter to the Editor: In Response to “Who Do We Want to Be?” – Dan Lugo

Dear Editor,

Since beginning my tenure as President here at Trinity on July 1, I’ve had the privilege of experiencing so many “firsts”. My first hello to dozens of staff, faculty, and students who attended my coffee pop-ups on day one. My first convocation where I welcomed a new class of students and their families to the Bantam community. Today I’m writing a first letter to the editor in response to the straightforward but essential question: What do you want the Tripod to be? 

It’s a question that invites reflection not only on the role of student journalism, but on the broader values we hold as a college community. At its best, I believe the Tripod should be a mirror, a compass and a bridge.

A mirror—because it should reflect the diverse voices, experiences, achievements and concerns of our students, faculty, staff, and perhaps more often, our alumni. The Tripod has the unique ability to capture the pulse of campus life, from the everyday to the extraordinary. The Tripod is our community’s newspaper of record, serving that function since 1904, and I hope it continues to shine a light on stories that might otherwise go untold, and to do so with integrity, curiosity and care.

A compass—because journalism has the power to guide us. We live in a world of fractured news reporting and storytelling. The Tripod should challenge us to think critically, to ask hard questions and to hold ourselves and each other accountable. Whether reporting on institutional decisions, student activism or cultural events, the Tripod can help orient our community toward truth, understanding and progress.

And a bridge—because the Tripod can connect us. In a time when polarization and misunderstanding are all too common, I hope the Tripod fosters dialogue across difference. Let it be a space where ideas are exchanged freely, where disagreement is met with respect, and where the bonds of community are strengthened through storytelling.

I also want the Tripod to be a place of learning. Student journalism is a powerful educational tool, and I encourage the editorial team to continue mentoring new writers, experimenting with new formats and embracing the evolving landscape of media.

Ultimately, I want the Tripod to be bold. Be fearless in your pursuit of truth, fairness and journalistic integrity. Our democracy, our college community, is stronger when its citizens are informed by objective information. Be creative in your approach. Be inclusive in your coverage. And above all, be committed to the values that make Trinity College a place of thoughtfulness, rigor and care.

Thank you for the work you do. I look forward to reading—and learning from—each issue. 

– Dan Lugo, President of Trinity College