Tyson Evans, current managing editor for the Daily Bruin, was
named next year’s editor in chief by a vote of the Associated
Students of UCLA Communications Board on Monday night.
The board selected Evans, a third-year Design | Media Arts
student, as next year’s editor after he was endorsed by the
newspaper’s staff on Friday.
“It’s very exciting,” Evans said.
“I’m confident that the staff I’m going to be
leading will do great things.”
He will succeed this year’s editor, Kelly Rayburn, who
called Evans “one of the most respected people on
staff.”
“Tyson’s understanding of journalism is really
solid. He’s on the cutting edge, and he’s the right guy
for the job,” Rayburn said.
The communications board vote is the culmination of an extensive
three-week application process, which included a three-hour exam
and a presentation to the paper’s staff.
Evans said one of his main focuses for next year will be on
“recruitment and internal development, making The Bruin more
accessible and stronger.”
“I’m excited about the possibility of The Bruin
solidifying its position as UCLA’s unofficial journalism
department,” Evans said.
Derek Lazzaro, the Bruin’s current Viewpoint editor, also
applied for the position but withdrew his application after the
staff endorsed Evans.
“I think Tyson is a very strong candidate, and I think he
has particularly strong organizational skills,” Lazzaro
said.
Lazzaro said he plans on staying with the paper and hopes to
maintain a leadership role.
Evans started as a photographer for the paper in his first year
at UCLA. He quickly moved up the ladder to become photo editor his
second year and was design director this year before becoming
managing editor after Christina Jenkins stepped down.
Helen Seliverstov, vice chairwoman of the communications board,
said because Evans’ journalism background is not
predominantly in writing, he will bring “diversity and a new
outlook to the paper.” In recent years, editors in chief have
come from writing departments.
Rayburn said Evans’ presence during changes to The Bruin
in recent years ““ including the switch to a colored
broadsheet format and the addition of an arts and entertainment
magazine ““ gives him an excellent understanding of the
paper’s evolution as a visual medium through such elements as
design and photography.
Though Evans said The Bruin is “solid,” he
emphasizes its room for improvement.
“Sustaining the momentum we’ve had is crucial. The
Bruin still has a lot of potential we can fulfill,” Evans
said.