Friday, 4/25/97 Daily Bruin names editor in chief Current news
editor Edina Lekovic chosen for top position
By Kathryn Combs Daily Bruin Contributor Citing her long history
of journalistic experience and knack for managing a team, the
ASUCLA Communications Board chose Edina Lekovic as next year’s
Daily Bruin editor in chief, at a meeting Wednesday night.
Currently the Daily Bruin news editor, Lekovic was the only
applicant for the position. She will officially take office on June
15. "Edina has demonstrated all year that she knows how to manage
people and the news," said Patrick Kerkstra, currently the editor
in chief of the Bruin. "I’m confident she’ll demonstrate the same
effectiveness as editor in chief that she did as news editor this
year," he said. The editor in chief is responsible for the general
management and overall coverage that the Bruin offers its readers.
"I applied to the position because I’m excited about where the
Bruin is going to go," said Lekovic, a second-year English student.
"It’s time for the Bruin to take a hard look at the university,"
she added. "I wanted to be in a position where I could help give
people resources to be able to do that." Those interested in the
position must first seek endorsement by the Daily Bruin staff. They
are required speak for 20 minutes on their proposed goals, their
vision for the Bruin, and what they plan to change. Candidates
seeking endorsement by the Daily Bruin staff are then subject to a
20-minute question-and-answer session, followed by discussion and a
vote by Daily Bruin staff members. "I think my most important goal
is to diversify the staff of the Daily Bruin. I think we need a
broader range of voices," Lekovic said. "If we diversify the
newsroom we will have people that will be able recognize stories
that a mainstream staff might miss." Quan Doan, chairman of the
ASUCLA Communications Board, said that their endorsement of Lekovic
was largely based on her journalistic experience and her clear-cut
goals for next year. "What we look for is someone who has a good
foundation in journalism, and leadership skills, including
management and teamwork skills," Doan said. "She has a very long
history of good journalistic skills and experiences," Doan
continued. "It is very clear that she has a passion (and that) the
Daily Bruin is one of the most important things in her life," Doan
said. "That means that she has a commitment." Kerkstra, added that
although being the editor in chief of the Daily Bruin is a
challenge, he felt that Lekovic would rise to the occasion. "I’ve
learned more in this year than I thought possible," Kerkstra said.
"Edina will be incredibly challenged, but I’m confident that she’ll
more than meet that challenge, and make her year as editor in chief
positive for herself, the Daily Bruin and its readers." "Anyone
who’s willing to work over 40 hours per week probably has a
slightly unhealthy dedication to the paper. But Edina’s insane
commitment is good for the Bruin and its readers," Kerkstra
joked.