Meet Sam Ogozalek, The D.O.’s 2018-19 editor-in-chief

I skipped most of my freshman orientation ceremony at the Newhouse School — I was running to the Syracuse bus station and catching a ride to the New York State Fair. Even before starting my first semester, I knew how important The Daily Orange would be to my time on campus.

I wanted to take photos of the first LGBTQ march in the fair’s history and submit them to The D.O. I eventually had one image published.

At the time, I didn’t know much about The D.O. But I knew I needed to gain experience outside of classes I’d take as a newspaper and online journalism major. The D.O. provided ways to report and write, and I wanted to do as much of that as possible.  

For three semesters, I had that chance as a News staff member. Now, as I begin my role as The D.O.’s 2018-19 editor-in-chief, I want to ensure future D.O. generations get the same opportunities that I did.

That means financially preparing to leave our office at 744 Ostrom Ave., which the university plans to demolish under its Campus Framework plan, and concentrating on growing digital advertising sales and identifying other sources of revenue to support a larger staff.

I plan to build on the work of others who helped craft The D.O.’s legacy, such as former editors-in-chief Alexa Díaz (2017-18) and Justin Mattingly (2016-17), whose leadership led to The D.O.’s selection as the best daily student newspaper in the country by the Society of Professional Journalists and the country’s No. 1 student newspaper by The Princeton Review.

To ensure accountability, I will also work with general manager Mike Dooling and the Board of Directors to undertake a professional review of our current donor management operations while refining our advertising staff’s approach to selling print and digital ads, exploring new ways to capitalize on our website’s expanded reach.

We plan to keep alumni updated on these ongoing and upcoming initiatives, including advertising projects and plans related to The D.O.’s search for a new office space.

In addition to producing high-quality journalism, the editorial staff will concentrate on bolstering The D.O.’s digital presence under the direction of managing editor Ali Harford. Ali, a junior magazine and geography dual major and former presentation director, will also oversee The D.O.’s intense focus on campus and student life issues, particularly as the News staff continues to report on concerns raised by SU community members in the wake of The D.O.’s publication of controversial videos filmed inside the house of SU’s now-defunct Theta Tau chapter.

A day after the fraternity’s initial suspension this spring, a handful of D.O. reporters sat in Schine Student Center, ready to speak privately with students about anything related to Theta Tau, Greek life or bias and hatred on campus. The goal was to make ourselves visible and physically accessible to the community we serve.

This hyperlocal, engagement-based approach to coverage is succeeding in media markets across the U.S., and it’s what The D.O. will prioritize as we continue to serve as a reliable source of news for readers and a training ground for young journalists.

Sam Ogozalek is the 2018-19 editor-in-chief of The Daily Orange, where he previously served as news editor. He grew up about two hours south of Syracuse in a rural town called Hancock. He can be reached at editor@dailyorange.com.