Laura Blasey
The Diamondback’s parent company, Maryland Media Inc., named Laura Blasey the newspaper’s editor in chief for the 2014-15 academic year Thursday.
Blasey, a junior journalism major, jump-started her work in the field when she interned at a local magazine for two weeks during her senior year of high school. The magazine’s editor in chief encouraged her to join The Diamondback as soon as she arrived at this university. Blasey took his advice, writing general assignment stories for the newspaper as a freshman.
“It was probably the best piece of advice I’ve ever gotten,” Blasey said.
She was hired as a staff writer her freshman year and became a senior staff writer and assistant news editor as a sophomore. By her junior year, Blasey had become co-news editor.
“I really feel like [writing for The Diamondback] gave me a direction in my journalism career,” she said. “When they hired me to write for the news section, I just fell in love with it.”
Blasey said as editor in chief, she hopes to expand the scope of readership and coverage beyond the university into the College Park community.
She also wants to make a large push for online content, which she said is an expanding component of The Diamondback. Blasey has worked with current editor in chief Mike King and other editors to create a Friday digital edition every week because the newspaper canceled printing Friday issues this year. The Diamondback recently hired an online managing editor whose job will be to ensure the publication’s online content and social media presence flourishes, Blasey said.
King, a senior journalism major, said he is confident in Blasey’s ability to take over the newspaper because of the critical role she has played in this year’s Friday editions. He believes she’ll be able to overcome challenges because of the creativity and flexibility she has shown in building digital news packages for online readers.
“Her determination and strong-willed personality mean that she is going to be able to make the tough decisions that I’ve had to make this year,” King said.
Similarly, MMI President Stephen Lamphier said Blasey has a clear vision for both the online and print editions. The MMI board is pleased to have her not only as a board member but also as a leader for The Diamondback, he added.
MMI also named Jacob Schaperow editor in chief of The Mitzpeh. While there were other qualified applicants, Lamphier said Schaperow was passionate about The Mitzpeh and the student community.
“New leadership brings new life to all the publications,” Lamphier said. “All our editors have been selected to bring their own touch to the publications, whether print or online.”
