Arthur Simoni, managing editor of the Daily Lobo, has been named to lead the newspaper into its 109th year as the 2003-04 editor in chief.
Simoni, 27, is a junior majoring in University Studies. He was selected for the position by the Student Publications Board on April 11 and will take over editorship of the paper May 4.
Born and raised in Albuquerque, Simoni said he took every creative writing class offered while attending TVI, where he began his college career. It was journalism instructor Patrick Houlihan who encouraged Simoni to submit articles to the TVI Times.
"I realized then that journalism chose me," Simoni said.
Three months later, he became managing editor at the Times, where he later became its editor in chief for more than a year.
During his term as editor, Simoni also spent six months as an intern at the Albuquerque Tribune writing about two stories a week. Simultaneously running the Times, a weekly paper, and writing for the Tribune, "was a tremendous experience that really educated me in the reality of newspapers," Simoni said.
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Current Lobo Editor-in-Chief Angela Williams said Simoni's dedication to the paper and his ability to work with the rest of the staff are his greatest strengths as a leader.
"That's an excellent combination," Williams said. "He will make a great editor."
Bob Gassaway, UNM journalism professor, echoed Williams' praise of Simoni's commitment.
"He works hard to make every day's Lobo the very best he can and I think that's a real plus," Gassaway said.
Simoni credits Henry Trewhitt, who was the Lobo's writing coach from 1998 until his death in January, as his biggest influence in journalism.
"The way he broke down my writing and built it back up gave me the confidence to feel like I can go into almost any situation, survey the scene and write a fair, accurate story," Simoni said.
The father of three daughters, Olivia, Aleksandra and Luna, Simoni said he wants to stay in Albuquerque after graduation. His ideal job, he added, would be for one of the city's two major daily newspapers.
The Daily Lobo, Simoni said, should be the first thing to attract a student's attention after arriving on campus. The paper should be an informative tool for students to learn about campus, national and international events affecting their lives, he said.
As editor, Simoni said he wants to build on the paper's existing foundation "to develop daily consistency in accurate, clean writing and reporting - taking that to the next level and making us one of the best college newspapers in the nation."
Simoni's staff, which he named Monday, will be made up of many familiar Lobo faces from the 2002-03 school year. Gassaway, Williams and Simoni all agreed that the high staff retention will strengthen the paper.
Clay Holtzman, news editor, will be managing editor; Assistant News Editor Ryan Floersheim will take the top post at the news desk; Jeff Proctor, staff reporter, will be assistant news editor; Marisa Demarco will stay on as culture editor; Eric Howerton will remain as Web editor, joining Simoni and Holtzman as the Lobo's editorial board; Colin Ley will return as photo editor; Lee Cornell, who graduates in May, will remain sports editor through the summer until a replacement can be found. Libby Kelly will take over as design director and Aynsley Dickinson and Sierra Netz will remain as production assistants.
