Alexander, Menz take over Western Carolinian as Co-Editors-in-Chief

Veteran Western Carolinian staff members Ryan Alexander and Lex Menz were named Co-Editors-in-Chief of the newspaper on March 1.

The two Western Carolina University juniors replace Justin Caudell, who stepped down as Editor-in-Chief after three years at the end of February to take a job in Georgia.

Alexander and Menz have each been with the Western Carolinian for 19 months and worked their way up the newspaper leadership ladder after starting as contributing writers. They later transitioned to staff writers and were promoted to section editors. Menz was named news editor in January 2011, and Alexander was named sports editor last summer.

Both have been a part of Western Carolinian staffs that received a general excellence award from the North Carolina College Media Association and Associated Collegiate Press.

"Ryan and Lex impressed me early on when they started at the newspaper. I saw potential in each of them and am glad I was able to see them learn and grow as journalists during my time as their Editor-in-Chief," Caudell said. "I have no doubt they will continue to serve the Western Carolina University and Cullowhee communities well by using the Western Carolinian newspaper as a medium to deliver timely, factual, important news."

As Co-Editors-in-Chief, Alexander and Menz will be responsible for overseeing a currently 21-person strong newspaper staff that reports news and events of the Western Carolina University and Cullowhee area through a newsstand and subscription delivered newspaper and an online website.

Alexander and Menz can be reached at 828-227-2694, by visiting the newspaper office or by emailing them at their email addresses listed on our Contact Us webpage.