Skip to Top NavigationSkip to ContentSkip to Footer
Ferris State University BulldogFerris State University Logo

Watt Named Torch Editor-In-Chief for 2014-15 Academic Year

Harrison WattFerris State University’s Harrison Watt is ready for the opportunity to serve as editor-in-chief of the Torch, the student newspaper.

Watt, a sophomore in Journalism from Bloomfield Hills, has worked for the Torch as a sports writer for hockey, and as a sports editor during the 2013-14 school year.

“It took me a while to get really involved in the Torch,” he said. “But, a couple of weeks in, I realized this was something that I was good at, and I should try and take it further.”

Watt’s goals include setting a high expectation of excellence, providing diversity in stories and meeting the Torch’s standard of “Truth, Fairness and Accuracy.”

“My main goal is to carry on the idea is that our environment at the Torch is about ‘we’ not ‘I’,” said Watt, a graduate of Seaholm High School, in Birmingham. “I want to make sure that the Torch is a professional, yet inviting environment.”

By carrying out these goals, Watt plans to recruit a diverse staff that is more involved on campus so that knowledge of what is going on at Ferris is strong.

“I loved being contacted to write stories about students’ events,” said Watt.

With a significant staff turnover this upcoming year, Watt is excited to set the professional expectation and build a community with an almost completely new staff. For the 2014-15 academic year, Watt will be backed by a team of section editors, including:

  • News: Ben Rettinhouse, Journalism, Spring Lake
  • Lifestyles: Sarah Force, Music Industry Management, Comins
  • Sports: Richard Mead, Journalism, Reed City
  • Opinions: Tyler Hanan, Music Industry Management, Adrian
  • Web: Kaila Parent, Graphic Design, Lapeer

After college, Watt hopes to move to New York and eventually write a book.

During his time at the Torch, Watt received the Joseph B. Tierney Award for outstanding freshman journalist during the 2012-13 school year.