From the Editor: Personal and publication changes incoming

Hey Folks!

For the past five years, Oxford has been my home.

OK, it didn’t really feel like it the first year, when I was stuck in my dorm room at Miami University with all virtual classes and very limited awareness that a town beyond campus existed.

When I started reporting on Oxford City Council for The Miami Student in spring 2021, though, I was hooked. From housing affordability to the Oxford Area Trails, I’ve been obsessed with local stories since then.

That’s part of what inspired me to join the Oxford Free Press team as the founding editor, and a large part of why I’m sad to share that June will be my last month with the publication.

Over the past year, the Free Press has gone from a concept to a core organization within Oxford. I’ve been overwhelmed by the community support and response (if you’d told me a year ago that more than 100 people would come out to a random event celebrating local news in January, I would’ve been skeptical at best). I can’t imagine trying to launch a publication anywhere but here, where so many people care about staying informed about what’s going on in their own community.

We’ve published more than 40 print editions since our first last July, reaching thousands of people both in print and online. Thanks to the work of our dozens of volunteers — board members, delivery helpers and columnists — we were recognized as the Kiwanis Club of Oxford’s Organization of the Year for 2024.

My next stop is Maine, where I’m looking forward to focusing on reporting and enjoying more snow than we get here. After I’m gone, though, the important work of the Free Press will continue.

We have a pair of amazing interns lined up this summer and are in the middle of the hiring process for a new editor. Our new business manager, Ginny Reynolds, and our designer, Macey Chamberlin, will each continue to do great work, as well. We wouldn’t have been able to grow our publication without the financial support of our donors, whom I’m especially grateful to.

So, what next? First off, you’re stuck with me for another five issues after this one, bringing us through June 27. The Free Press will not publish on July 4 due to the holiday. We’ll share more details on the next editor and our transition process in the coming weeks.

You may also see an opportunity to provide feedback on the past year in one of the upcoming issues. Please make sure to respond to that so we can gauge what has and hasn’t worked, and what the Free Press should focus on moving forward.

And, as always, your support is what makes this work possible. If you’ve enjoyed reading our Monday newsletter in the past year, forward it to your friends and family! If you haven’t yet donated but have been a loyal reader, consider making a financial contribution or sign up to make recurring donations on our website. Keep suggesting story ideas to us and pitching your events and advertising to Ginny (ginny.reynolds@oxfreepress.com).

And most of all, keep reading, and keep informed. Local journalism matters, but only if it reaches the people impacted by what we cover.

Until next time,

Sean