Volume 158, Issue 5
Joel Rumson
My name is Joel Rumson, Editor-in-Chief of the Brunswickan for the 2024 – 2025 Publishing Term. The following is my personal experience with the Brunswickan Publishing Incorporation.
2020 – 2021: I chose my courses two days before classes began (Sept 1, 2020), broken home, online courses, finished with 2.8GPA. COVID-19. That summer I applied for BPI.
2021 – 2022: Accepted to BPI, took on a full-time reporter role, could not achieve quota, dropped to part-time; later in term was given a formal warning. Went back to FT, finished publishing approximately 10 – 12 pieces. GPA 3.0.
2022 – 2023: Over summer of 2022 I pitched an environmental column where I would use my studies in environmental management to write about relevant environmental issues around Fredericton and NB. Was denied, but proposed Features Editor. Accepted. GPA 3.3. 20 – 30 published pieces.
2023 – 2024: Reapplied as Features Editor. Accepted. At this point I had published approximately 35 articles. Finishing the year investigating Indigenous issues, municipal developments, civil discourses, and my favourite, topics on growth in UNBF and Fredericton. During this time, I wrote some of my favourite articles, “A Rising Tide, May not lift all Fredericton’s Boats – Growing Population and Planning for Adaptation,” “Students are managing… but how is UNB?, and Rhythms and History of Officer Square, Fredericton.” When I started I had struggled to write 300 words, but by this point, I was writing 1000 – 1400 words with ease. GPA 3.5. Articles published: too many to count.
2024 – 2025: And here we are now. What a walk in time it was to reflect on the moments I interviewed, reported, was given a warning, and was even nearly fired! I think it is important to share these moments, not because I am extremely proud of them, but because it shows how The Brunswickan has been there for me when I needed them most; I am now a leader. 3.9 GPA.
For example, in 2022 when I upped and moved out of my childhood home — leaving my three brothers behind and forced to move in with a friend — my writing gave me a reason to feel proud, when I had no other. Or, in February of 2023, when I was evicted from that friend’s house with two days notice, and had to move in with my mother — I had The Brunswickan office to work and study in. Then, there I was in 2024, missing my family; I had The Brunswickan’s Sunday meetings to cheer me up… even though I didn’t really ever want it to end.
Then there is 2025. We hangout, we work, we collaborate, and maybe, just maybe, we have and will continue to do the same for a few others.
Thank you.
