Lucille Stutesman, editor-in-chief of the student newspaper The Daily Evergreen, is the first Washington State University student selected for The New York Times Corps, a mentorship program that pairs aspiring journalists with world-class reporters and editors.
As one of 21 students selected this year, Stutesman will receive career guidance from Sharon Chan, deputy editor of Cultures and Careers at the New York Times.
“I was in disbelief. I thought they had the wrong person,” Stutesman recalled.
Upon confirming that paper had indeed selected her for the program, Stutesman excitedly shared the news with her mom. She otherwise had to keep the news under wraps for weeks until the Times made its formal announcement earlier this month.
Stutesman’s journey to journalism began in high school with a suggestion from her English teacher to get involved with the school newspaper. Having regularly watched the evening news with her dad, Stutesman always did her best to stay informed about current events.
While she and her family moved often growing up, Stutesman said Washington always felt like home. After graduating high school in New York, she enrolled in the journalism program at WSU. Within two weeks of arriving in Pullman, she’d joined the Daily Evergreen as a staff reporter.
Stutesman quickly rose up from reporter to news editor, taking a break this past spring for an internship in Olympia with The Spokesman Review. Her time with the Spokesman included breaking news about an influx in patients from Idaho seeking cheaper medical “charity” care across the border in Washington.
“Lucy’s talent is impressive, and her energy inspirational, both for other students and WSU staff,” said Richard Miller, director of the Office of Student Media. “I feel privileged to be assisting her and her Evergreen team.”
He continued. “The fact she chose WSU is a real tribute to our journalism program. She’ll definitely be keeping Murrow professors on their toes.”
While she’d known about the mentorship program offered by The New York Times for a couple years, it wasn’t until earlier this year that Stutesman remembered to apply. She’s eager to learn from Chan while serving in a leadership role with The Daily Evergreen and considering her post-graduation plans.
“I’ve really liked covering everything I’ve covered so far – particularly transportation and government – but I’m too indecisive to pick just one beat.”
