I never really set out to be the Editor in Chief of The Maroon. It just kind of happened. I spent two years honing my skills and hanging out in the office in a myriad of roles, and eventually it felt like the only logical move to make next was to try my hand at running the place. And to my surprise, my peers felt like I could and elected me to the position. It was a long way from where I ever thought I’d be when I got here.

 I came into Loyola at the tail end of the COVID-19 pandemic, where campus was still somewhat siloed and masks adorned our faces. Just as my college career was getting started, Hurricane Ida came in and changed up everything. For 2 weeks, I found myself stuck in a Houston hotel room wondering what kind of school I would be coming back to as I and my fellow freshmen tried to find our footing as the newest members of the Wolf Pack. Fast forward to now, in the final semester of my senior year, and I am so grateful for all of the moments and milestones that I’ve gotten the chance to be a part of and cover during my time here at Loyola. 

From our first national championship in 77 years, the appointment of our first Black president in school history, the renaming of a dorm, the destruction of Mercy Hall, the construction of the new chapel and a new dorm, the numerous protests, and a Final Four for good measure, my time at Loyola has been something I’ll never forget.

As the Editor in Chief of our award winning publication, it was nerve-wracking to step into a role with more than 100 years of history and try to continue the legacy of all those who came before me (especially as all of their names are listed on a wall outside of the office).

Then I also had the distinction of being the first African-American male ever elected to the position, which added an additional level of status and responsibility to carry the torch for all those who came before me and to set an example for those who come after me. Loyola has given me so much and through my work and the platform they gave me, I wanted to be able to give a little back.

I think we can all agree this semester has been a crazy one, and for us here at The Maroon, that has certainly been the case as well. Starting with the devastating act of terrorism that occurred in the French Quarter on New Year’s Day, to the inauguration of President Donald Trump, which we had a chance to travel to Washington DC and cover as a newsroom for the first time in our paper’s illustrious history. Then it SNOWED. It snowed in New Orleans, y’all. Like, real snow. We had a record-breaking snowfall that hadn’t been seen in this city for over 130 years! January alone felt like a year by itself.

February meant the Super Bowl, Homecoming, Black History Month, and Mardi Gras. For everyone like myself who stays on campus, it also meant the eventual demise of all of our hot water as our central boilers succumbed to old age and wear (nothing quite kills the party like no hot water, right?). We had the chance to tell some wonderful stories about students who were involved in the Super Bowl festivities, shine a light on some Black Excellence at Loyola, and even got to dedicate our first issue of our magazine, The Wolf, to some of the wonderful things that make Mardi Gras such a special time of year and not just your normal Tuesday. 

Then March rolled around and (mercifully for some of us) so did a week off. But the hot water went on break too and we got word that the legendary Biever Hall was set to close for some (overdue) renovations. Oh the stories I could tell about my freshman year up there. Next up was the story of Jessie Hoffman, who was the first man executed in Louisiana by nitrogen hypoxia. His story allowed us to shine a light on some of the great work being done by the lawyers at the Stuart H. Smith Law Clinic at the law campus dealing with death penalty cases, and it was an honor to be able to share that story with the Loyola community. We closed the month with a spotlight on one of the more underappreciated parts of campus (We love you, Ms. Ruby!), hosting New Orleans Entrepreneurship Week, and paying homage to the first Black student organization on campus. 

For April, we partied with the music students at French Quarter Fest and Uptown Threauxdown, debated the pros and cons of on and off campus living, told of tuition increases and a lack of raises for faculty members, won some awards (because that’s what we do), and showed some love to the queer community on campus as well.

Now, as we publish our final issue for Spring 2025, I hope that we were able to live up to our motto as the mirror and the lamp for the Loyola community this semester. Our school is so unique and it has been an honor to be able to experience it for the past four years and to serve as your Editor in Chief for this most recent semester. Special shout out to all of my fellow members of the Class of 2025, who I know have worked so hard to make it to graduation and will be reveling in the Superdome on our magical day.

As we all find ourselves looking forward to the future, and our new EIC Eloise Pickering takes over for the fall to continue our legacy of great reporting, I hope The Maroon was able to inform, delight, and showcase all of what makes Loyola such a special place. 

Matthew Richards, Editor in Chief Spring 2025