PSU staff and students work together to rebuild community newspaper
PITTSBURG, Kan. — Pittsburg State University staff are coming together to get a community newspaper back on its feet.
“This is a community newspaper and that’s what we want the community to feel. It is,” said Amy Sawyer, PSU Small Business Development Center business advisor.
Pittsburg State University staff, students, and alumni are in the works of a new project, to revamp the city of Pittsburg’s community newspaper, The Morning Sun.
“We have looked at all the different resources that we have across campus and we’re, you know, bringing all of that together,” said Sawyer.
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They first surveyed residents on what they feel makes The Morning Sun a community paper.
“To see the feedback from the community that they want this newspaper, they want their local news. And all of these people have come together to try and make that happen,” said Sawyer.
The next step was to find a new general manager.
That’s where PSU Student Publications Director Josh Letner comes in.
“That’s a lot of listening to people and trying to determine what our strengths and our weaknesses are as we move forward,” said Josh Letner, Pittsburg State Student Publications Director.
As the now-GM, he says there’s still a major hurdle to overcome.
For years, The Morning Sun and Pitt State’s student paper have printed newspapers using the Joplin Globe press.
But after the Joplin Globe shut its press down, it’s had to use Tulsa World’s ever since.
“Automatically makes it more expensive because it’s so far away and it just adds another layer of expense and cost to producing a newspaper,” said Letner.
Until a solution comes, the addition of Pitt State resources, especially its students, are helping even The Morning Sun news editor, who has 45 years of experience, continue to learn.
“Different ways young people have of getting the news and how to digest it. So it helps, I think, make us a good team,” said Ron Womble, The Morning Sun, news editor.
“It’s an honor to be working on this project and I can’t see where I can’t wait to see where it goes next,” said Sawyer.
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