Senior Sendoffs: The Pitt News says farewell to its graduating editors

With graduation approaching, The Pitt News is saying goodbye to six members of our editorial board. Here are our final messages to each graduating senior before their time as editors ends.

Abby Lipold, Editor-in-Chief // Emily Harris, Co-Copy Chief

The first time I spoke Abby Lipold wasn’t one at The Pitt News. Actually, it was at Saxbys — I was baristaing and Abby came up to order a drink. I’d only just learned who she was from a Slack message announcing her as the next editor-in-chief. At the time, we’d never shared a shift together. In the next few months, we’d both be on the editorial board.

I introduced myself and congratulated her. Then, she ordered her coffee in a size “grande.”

“Oh, you’re not at Starbucks, Saxbys uses real measurements here,” I’d joked. Abby blinked, corrected herself and moved on. I made her the drink, and as she walked away, I was left wondering — Did I just offend my future boss? 

What I didn’t know at the time is that Abby Lipold is one of the kindest, most full-of-life people I’d ever met. She once described herself as someone who “laughs at everything,” and while that may be true, making her laugh still feels like an accomplishment. 

Our managing editor, Grace, frames their dynamic as “good cop, bad cop,” with Abby as “good cop.”

Abby has the rare ability to balance warmth with accountability. It is one of the things that makes her an exceptional boss and, despite the cliche, the “good cop.” Leading a newsroom with humor and precision is not easy, but Abby does it in a way that makes everyone around her better. 

Abby is a tour de force in journalism, but she always makes time to laugh with me. Just not at that Starbucks joke 😉 As Abby pursues journalism, I hope she never stops writing and talking about books. No one can communicate a BookTok hot take quite like her. 

Abby Lipold, Editor-in-Chief // Briana Bindus, News Editor

I met Abby for the first time in the beginning of my sophomore year, completely unrelated to The Pitt News in an honors fraternity. Even though we are no longer involved with that other organization, it just so happened that over the last three years, our paths have converged and we’ve spent every single weekend together in the office. Abby is the definition of a go-getter. From Phi Sigma Pi to The Pitt News, she has made her mark on everything she has ever been involved in. 

Through my time working alongside Abby, I’ve seen what it means to truly be a dedicated journalist. She sets a mark that one can only aspire to live up to. Yet, she is more than just a journalist to me — she is a friend. Abby is someone who will always find a way to comfort me, to understand me and to make my words feel seen. She is someone who I can text at any time of the day with any issue and she’ll find a way to relate to what I said. In her, I’ve seen how much it takes to be not just a good leader, but a good person.

Since I’ve known Abby for so long this far, I know that I’m not truly saying goodbye to her just yet. In the years to come, Abby and I will keep reading each others’ work, gossiping about every other aspect of our life and cheering each other on. To Abby, I know that your future holds nothing but success and I cannot wait to support you every step of the way. 

Abby Lipold, Editor-in-Chief // Grace Longworth, Managing Editor

I hadn’t known Abby for long when she asked me to be her managing editor. Honestly, it came as a complete shock. One night during production, she said from across the table that she thought I should apply, and I said, “Are you talking to me?” In my eyes at the time, she was the most intimidating editor on staff — she seemed to know everything about everything journalism, and she led her writers to become one of, if not the, best news desks this organization has ever seen. Deep down, I think I still feel that way even after a year of working by her side. No matter the situation — and believe me, we’ve dealt with some truly insane situations this year — she’s never stumbled or wavered or backed down from the challenge. There are so many things I could say about Abby, but I think that’s the one that will stick with me most after she heads off into the world to kick ass doing what she’s been craving during her stint as girlboss-in-chief: boots on the ground journalism. Abby, thank you for passing your wisdom down to me this year, and I’ll do my absolute best to fill the astronomically large shoes you’re leaving. 

Briana Bindus, News Editor // Tessa Powers, Opinions Editor

I was trying to remember when it was Briana and I first became friends on the ed board. When did we share our first laugh or share the same thought and know that we shared that same thought? Anyway, I think the reason I don’t really remember is because it was never a sudden start – it was kind of always just there. Briana is everything you hope to find in a friendship. She’s fiercely loyal, as smart as a whip, and my god, this girl is a HOOT. I mean, some of my hardest laughs to date have been in her company. I think Briana is also an incredible force to be reckoned with – she keeps our ed board in shape. There isn’t an excuse you can feed her, and truly nothing gets past her. She is going to a small college overseas called Oxford, after all. But I think what makes Briana so special is that even if she wasn’t going to Oxford, even if she didn’t defend her thesis or win a first-place award at a literature conference or go to awards dinner after awards dinner, she would still know exactly who she is – someone who makes others feel welcomed and empowered, a coworker who pushes everyone to a higher standard. She is going to show up and put 110% into her work, and she will make a comment if you’re not doing the same. Briana doesn’t do subpar, and as a coworker and a friend, I truly believe that she doesn’t do subpar in any area of her life. I can’t wait to see what she accomplishes in her future, and I’ll be sure to secure my spot on her talk show and be first in line at her book signing when the rest of the world has the chance to recognize her talent and personality. 

Briana Bindus, News Editor // Kyra McCague and Naomi Weiss, Assistant News Editors

It’s hard to imagine what the news desk will be like without our fearless leader next year. Briana has been at The Pitt News for three years, all on the news desk. As head news editor, she took us – the assistant news editors — under her soaring wings and taught us how to rip apart news articles. #Spence However, editing news articles is not nearly as easy as Briana makes it seem — what takes her 20 minutes to do easily takes us double the amount of time.

Whenever she walks into the newsroom, Briana always brings an infectious energy no matter the occasion. #Most likely to get a little treat She often shares the most random thoughts, some of which cannot be said in this publication. #Most likely to tell us how they really feel Briana is genuinely one of the funniest people we know, and wherever she goes, laughter and joy always follow — even when she’s threatening our writers to take stories with the randomized wheel.

She’s also one of the smartest people we know. While dedicating countless hours to The Pitt News this year, she also wrote and successfully defended a B.Phil and led the English Honors Society, Sigma Tau Delta. Next year, she will be taking her talents to Oxford University to get her master’s degree. 

Briana has taught us to have pride in ourselves and in our work, and this will stick with us next year. #Most Lez. We speak for the entire news desk when we say Briana, as well as her cat and official TPN mascot Luna Bindus, will be greatly missed next year. #Best boss

And if you’re wondering what these hashtags mean, these are just five of the eight superlatives Briana won at our annual paper hat awards. 

Briana Bindus, News Editor // Abby Lipold, Editor-in-Chief

It’s crazy to think that Briana and I have been a part of The Pitt News together for two years and we’ve known each for even longer. We joined a fraternity together (RIP), which brought many misadventures to our sophomore year. From Deep Creek, Maryland to Austin’s back porch to hungover Sundays in the office post-Pi parties, she was such a big piece of my most formative, memorable year of college. 

And then we added Spencer, and our trio quickly became my favorite part of junior year. When Spencer and I were spiraling about work, Briana was always the one to give us a reality check by saying we should go to Divvy’s for coffee and sandwiches and gossip. And, of course, this made Thursdays better, and before we would know it, we had been chatting for hours, not just about the Pitt News but about our favorite — and least favorite — books and movies, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” “Slaughterhouse Five,” how much I hate “Dune”— Briana is probably the only person I’ve met who loves books more than I do. 

If I’m honest, I never believed we’d actually graduate until we were staring down the barrel of our last few weeks of college. But I knew since sophomore year, since we both planned on graduating in the spring, that we would be in Acrisure stadium together. Good luck at Oxford next year, Queen! I can’t believe this journey is over.

Briana Bindus, News Editor // Liam Sullivan, Assistant Visuals Editor

To think that I brushed her off last Sunday, saying “you’re never getting a sendoff from me!” Well, here we are.

Briana is one of those people who makes you feel at home as soon as you walk in the door. She’s so unbelievably authentic. One of the first times we spoke, I remember her telling me she accidentally recorded herself passing out from jet lag. It was hilarious and relatable and set the tone for how I saw her. She’s human, like the rest of us, and isn’t afraid to admit it.

She wears her heart on her sleeve. And she’s cool enough to get away with it. Briana commands a room in a way you have to see to believe. She doesn’t pretend to be perfect, but her self confidence radiates. She has the credentials to back it up too. She defended her B.Phil this year, and is moving to Oxford for grad school. She has every reason to be proud.

She doesn’t just make it about her, though. Her passion is infectious. I’ve seen it firsthand. The News Desk is more active than ever, and there are always writers chomping at the bit to cover stories. She’s created an environment where writers love being involved. Today, at our senior superlatives, I saw her giving out note cards to her writers to thank them for their work. She goes above and beyond to make the people she cares about feel seen.

You are a special, magnetic human, Briana. We’re going to miss you.

Conor Hutchison, Sports Editor // Sage Rosenfeld, Culture Editor

Conor Hutchison is one of the sweetest, kindest people I have ever met. When I first met Conor, I was intimidated by his sporty-frat-aura. It only took a matter of minutes for me to see the teddy bear of a person that is Conor. Conor wears his heart on his sleeve. Though it can be a fault at times, like when I convinced him that “Heated Rivalry” really is just a show about hockey, it is an admirable quality that makes being his friend impossibly easy. 

Though I can’t really speak to the work of the sports desk as I know nothing about sports, I can confidently say that Conor has molded the desk into a tight-knit family. I hear the sports desk meetings full of laughter and camaraderie —- a direct result of Conor’s energy and effort. 

Conor is an incredibly passionate editor and writer. He loves writing for the sake of doing so, not for praise or award. Though his infamous handball article took enormous amounts of his free time, he never complained. In fact, his excitement and passion for the craft only grew. Conor is a great journalist and an even greater friend. 

Conor Hutchison, Sports Editor // Alex Kiger, Assistant Sports Editor

To say I am thankful to have worked alongside Conor might just be the understatement of the year. Conor is one of the most hardworking, kind, genuine people I have ever met. From the time when both of us were staff writers, to when he was my sports editor, to when he and I both had the job together, it has been nothing short of a privilege to call him my coworker and my friend. 

Conor was the one who helped me with my first ever live coverage for The Pitt News. It was a Pitt basketball game in mid-November, 2024. I remember how nervous I was and how many questions I had. It felt like way too many, but Conor was there to answer each and every one of them. 

When I first landed the job as assistant sports editor, I didn’t know at all what to expect. But Conor helped welcome me to the editorial board, and his willingness to take me under his wing and connect me with everyone else is something I can’t thank him enough for. It’s hard to imagine working production or handling our sports desk meetings without him, but I know that he’s off to bigger and better things. 

If you — or any potential employer — needs a reference as to the dedication he had to the stories he wrote, look no further than his club handball story. I watched as he meticulously worked day in and day out to make that story work. Seemingly endless rounds of interviews, self-editing, and long nights all culminated in one of the best stories I have ever read. 

Tessa Powers, Opinions Editor // Sage Rosenfeld, Culture Editor

Tessa Powers is the most capable editor I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. Tessa leads the opinions desk with grace. She is kind and gentle, yet confident and powerful at the same time. No matter the inconvenience or effort a task demands, Tessa will get it done, and she’ll do it well. She encourages her writers to be confident and eloquent. The amazing work the desk has produced in the past year is a testament to her dedication.

Though I have only worked with and known Tessa this past year, I know that I have made a friend for life. Tessa is absolutely hilarious. She has a joke for every situation and each one is genuinely funny. Most importantly, Tessa is a real and kind person. I can always count on her to listen to me ramble about random things going on in my life, bring me clementines, or walk home with me to our lovely Meyran Avenue. To call Tessa a friend is an honor. 

Crucially, Tessa is a dual-sport athlete. Tearing  up the field in her soccer games, and cutting it up on the waters when she rows, Tessa is a champion. In the wise words of Tessa herself, “Can your editor do that?”

Tessa Powers, Opinions Editor // Briana Bindus, News Editor

I’ve only known Tessa for the duration of the last year, but it feels like I’ve known her my entire life. Tessa is one of those friends you hope for your entire life and when you finally meet them, every part of your dynamic just clicks. When I hang out with Tessa, we riff off each other effortlessly, we share the deepest parts of ourselves and cackle until we can’t breathe. Yet, Tessa brings these welcoming qualities to every part of her life — her work, her relationships and, of course, to the opinions desk. 

Though I was not allowed to write for the opinions desk because I worked for news — objectivity is something we’re committed to here at The Pitt News — I watched Tessa work harder than any other editor when it came to the opinions desk. She brought her all to her desk meetings, when working with her assistant editors and while editing stories. Truthfully, I’ve always been jealous of her writers because they get to spend slightly more time with her than I do. But, Tessa and I always made up for it on Wednesday and Thursday nights — Tiki, here we come! 

Though leaving The Pitt News means leaving behind Tessa and I’s weekly hangouts, I am certain that Tessa will accomplish truly wonderful things beyond Pitt. I am so excited to see where you go, Tessa. And just know that you are 100% expected to visit me when we leave Pittsburgh. 

Tessa Powers, Opinions Editor // Brynn Murawski, Assistant Opinions Editor

Coming into the opinions desk halfway through the year, I was incredibly apprehensive. Not only did Tessa welcome me, she far exceeded my expectations of what a leader can be. Tessa is unflinchingly committed and responsible while bringing a genuine joy to every interaction with her desk that I admire. Despite waking up at 5 a.m. nearly every day for rowing practice and tackling a full courseload, Tessa remains energetic and friendly. Her work is thorough, and she is able to withstand challenges that other leaders would immediately let sour their experiences. It is easy to surrender to futility, but Tessa is so disciplined. When she struggled to enjoy her experience at Pitt, she made the choice to recommit herself to her passions. That’s what characterizes Tessa as a leader and a person. She makes the choice to show up, makes the choice to enjoy the situations life throws at her. I don’t know what pitch meetings will be without her laughter and uplifting comments, but I am certain we will all feel the lack. Beyond her capabilities as a leader, I will miss Tessa as a friend. Of course, it’s not difficult to get along with Tessa. I am so lucky to have worked with someone with whom I could build a rapport, who could understand my weird jokes. We were perfectly aligned in our feedback for writers, and it was never difficult to understand each other. I’ll miss debriefing pitch meetings together, but I’ll miss chatting about literally anything. Tessa could make a conversation about anything hilarious and engaging, but best of all, Tessa can make anyone feel that they belong.  

Liam Sullivan, Assistant Visuals Editor // Akshath Puli, Visuals Editor

Liam Sullivan is one of the smartest, kindest people I have ever had the privilege to meet. When I first joined the newspaper, I found Liam to be a compassionate and helpful individual who cared for all of his fellow photographers. Whether he was on the sidelines shooting a football game or capturing moments during an event, Liam always found a way to make you feel special.

Sometime at the start of the semester, after a desk meeting, I was heading out for a quick lift before production. On my way out, I saw Liam doing work on his computer, asked him if he wanted to come to the gym with me, and the rest is history. From late nights in the office to later nights at Capo’s, Liam’s been there every step of the way, and I can’t thank him enough for sticking it out with me.

As an editor, Liam stepped up and performed brilliantly. His attention to detail, paired with his innate ability to bring people together, helped push the visuals desk forward. Whether it was mentoring new staff members or staying up late working on cutlines, he always made time for others. His kindness, perseverance, and work ethic set a bar for all of us.

So to my friend, colleague and gym bro, we will miss you dearly. We are excited to see where life takes you next, and I can’t wait to hear all about your wild adventures.

Emily Harris, Co-Copy Chief // Tessa Powers, Opinions Editor

I was reading Emily’s senior column and saw that she considered copy-editing to be an “entry” into journalism, given that she wasn’t actually writing the pieces, just editing them. I could not disagree more even if I tried. I think copy editing is incredibly difficult, but maybe the reason why it’s considered entry-level is because of the people like Emily who are making it look oh so easy. We’ve been around the table in the late hours of the night when Emily raises a question about a column that’s gone completely over three different editors’ heads. Beyond the AP and Pitt News Styles, Emily ensures each and every article is completely sound, and has trained her staff to do the same. I feel like she has such a unique perspective when looking over our work, and so it didn’t surprise me at all when she shared that she wanted to go to law school. The way I see it, law school and subsequently being a lawyer is about throwing yourself headfirst into challenges before crafting and inventing creative ways to solve it. That is exactly what Emily Harris did each time she copy-edited our pieces. She raised entirely new perspectives on articles and for each error she found in a piece, she quickly helped formulate a solution. She worked the longest hours of us all and didn’t complain once about staying in the office until 2 or 3 in the morning, she just did it. Working alongside Emily has inspired me to look differently at a problem, to find the creative solution. I know for a fact Emily is going to be an amazing lawyer and accomplish many running races in her future, and I absolutely can’t wait to hear all about them.  

Emily Harris, Co-Copy Chief // Abby Lipold, Editor-in-Chief

Over the years at TPN, it’s been a habit of mine to seek out coworkers I can have deep conversations with. Most of these deep conversations took place in the office late at night while we were waiting for that last story to work its way into copy. For my first two years, it was talking about dream analysis with Betül, Hawaiian tourism with Nate, or Project Matt with Grace. But when I started working with Emily, I knew she would be added to that list, and I couldn’t believe I’d never met her before this year. 

Emily is one of the most humbly intelligent and kind people I’ve ever met. The other day, she told me she has no enemies, and I thought, “Well, yes, of course.” When everyone at work is crashing out over a set of sentences that contradict each other, Emily is the one to provide a level-headed solution to our grammatical problem. When I write my own work, I send it over to Emily for editing, as my second pair of eyes — and she’s never afraid to tell me when I can’t say something in a story. Since we’ve been taking our Senior Seminar together, we’ve lately been discussing the nuances of BookTok or debating over the TPN editor fight brackets. Good luck next year, Emily! Thanks for being my partner in nonfiction.