During his four years as an undergraduate, John Scott has played a large role in the beating heart that is UNM student publications. He served as editor-in-chief of the Daily Lobo, while he simultaneously worked as the digital editor of Scribendi, an editor of Limina: UNM Nonfiction Review and an artist and creator outside of his studies.
“I started (working at the Daily Lobo) back in fall 2020, and I just applied on a whim,” Scott said. “I had received my camera as a gift from my sister the year before, and I was looking for a way to get experience taking photos.”
Scott initially started as a photographer for the Daily Lobo, and worked his way up from photo editor to managing editor, and then took on editor-in-chief.
“When I was managing editor, it was assumed I’d be the one to apply (to be editor-in-chief) and get it, so I applied … but this was around the same time I had been considering applying to be an editor of Scribendi,” Scott said.
The pull of each position made him indecisive for a moment, due to his commitment to the Daily Lobo and his passion for Scribendi.
“I consider myself an artist first,” Scott said. “That first year (on Scribendi) was more important for me as a creator, interacting so heavily with other people’s creations and artwork, not only to help me improve what I was doing, but also to help me become more passionate about art in general.”
Being surrounded by people who shared his passions made applying to be a Scribendi editor an easy decision, Scott said.
This past April, Scribendi published their new issue. It features 41 contributors’ creative pieces, varied lines and textures, and a pink and beige duotone cover designed by Scott, according to Amaris Ketcham, faculty advisor for Scribendi and associate professor at the UNM Honors College.
“John has always been such a pleasure to work with,” Ketcham said. “I really appreciate the high standards that he has when it comes to looking at art and literature … (He looks at) how student art can become elevated to the level of these writers and directors that he loves … It’s really refreshing.”
As of May 1, Scott has officially passed the editor-in-chief position at the Daily Lobo onto his previous managing editor, Maddie Pukite. The two have worked alongside one another this past year, growing close both professionally and personally. As the baton is passed, Pukite reflected on the past year.
“Prior to this year as managing editor, I had never really worked with John in any face-to-face capacity,” Pukite said. “His willingness to communicate and be patient and let people go at their own pace, but also push themselves to be the editor/reporter they know they can be is something John has done really well this year.”
Pukite also spoke to John’s multifaceted talents, within and outside of the student newspaper.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
“He always seems to have everything in order, and he does so much. It has been so inspiring to see him … doing all of these things… All (his) experience brought a lot to the Daily Lobo this year,” Pukite said.
Scott plans to pursue film in the future, as he heads to New York, with a large publication sphere, theater community and film scene waiting for him. He hopes to get experience on film sets and have more time to be creative with his camera, writing and reading before going back to school to pursue his master’s degree.
Jordyn Bachmann is a freelance reporter at the Daily Lobo. She can be reached at culture@dailylobo.com or on Twitter @DailyLobo
