The Daily Nebraskan provides voice for UNL campus, confidence for writers

By Noah Johnson

Josie Golka walked into The Daily Nebraskan’s newsroom broke and looking for friends.  

At the time, Golka was a sophomore advertising and public relations major who had just changed her degree from international business. The Omaha native was transitioning to a new college and was looking for a place to connect.

“Being in the College of Business as a freshman, I didn’t really have any friends in the [College of Journalism and Mass Communications],” she said. “I needed more connections within the college because I just felt really lost and all over the place.”

She found exactly what she was looking for in The Daily Nebraskan.

What started with assignments as a political reporter on the news desk covering the local impact of Nebraska legislature led to opportunities to cover the recent primary and presidential election.

Now a senior, Golka is the editor-in-chief of the student newspaper as it approaches its 125th anniversary. The independent student-led publication is home to more than 75 employees ranging from writers and editors to photographers and videographers.

Through support to The Daily Nebraskan Editorial Support Fund, the newspaper is able to provide salaries to students like Golka. That means they can continue to gain meaningful, hands-on experience in the newsroom.

 “This job has always provided me with stability and financial support,” she said. “That has allowed me to stay here and keep doing quality work.”

For students like Fisher Madsen, the stability found at The Daily Nebraskan offered a foundation to experiment and discover new ways to develop his storytelling skills.

Madsen began working at The Daily Nebraskan as a photographer as a sophomore, but writing had always been at the back of his mind.

Halfway through the year, he approached the newspaper’s sports editor about potentially picking up some stories. Before he knew it, Madsen was on the beat covering the Nebraska women’s soccer team.

To those who have supported the student newspaper through The Daily Nebraskan Editorial Support Fund, Madsen said a simple thank you isn’t enough.

“The experiences you have helped provide for myself and my co-workers have been unlike anything we would have received anywhere else,” he said. “Thanks to your support, we have been able to cover things that I feel like we never would have dreamed of otherwise.”

As a senior, Golka will soon be looking to take the next step in her career. She has dreams of studying media law and said The Daily Nebraskan has helped her become a stronger writer, leader and, most importantly, created friendships that will last long after her final byline is published.

“The Daily Nebraskan has made a huge difference in my life,” she said. “I can’t even imagine where I would be now without it.”

You can help support The Daily Nebraskan as it approaches its 125th anniversary today by making a gift to the Daily Nebraskan Editorial Support Fund.