Many people who walk past 708 Commonwealth Ave. each day may question why the office of The Daily Free Press appears deserted. But as the sun sets, passersby can peer through the glass door and catch a glimpse of the hustle and bustle of student journalism — and they are reminded of how stories continue to populate the FreeP website.

If you’ve walked by the office in the hours after midnight, unless we’re all there for print night, you might have spotted me poring over my laptop or with my head down, passed out on my desk. 

Sleep is for the weak — or, at least, the weekend.

For over two years, I’ve put the “insomnia” in Insomnia Cookies, our upstairs neighbor — a source of delicious journalism fuel to our staff, often gifted by kind employees and a beloved professor of mine. And for over two years, I’ve had my life forever changed, friends forever made and memories forever shared in that little basement office. That’s no understatement.

Taking the helm as editor-in-chief of the FreeP is a dream I’ve had — though again, I never sleep — since I came to Boston University, but by the time I stepped into the role this fall, it truly felt deserved. 

First and foremost, I want to thank every writer, photographer and editor I’ve worked with during my time at the FreeP. You have all shaped me in ways you may not have realized, and you are what makes the FreeP everything that it is.

I was ecstatic to find out that I would be working with Managing Co-Editors Samantha Genzer and Crystal Yormick — whom I previously worked with as news editors — as this semester’s “Top 3.” Words fail to encompass how grateful I am to have had them by my side. From Sam’s speedy-but-meticulous editing to Crystal’s crucial editorial eye and planning, they supported me through even the most stressful of occasions. 

Sam, Crystal and I couldn’t have accomplished all that we have this semester without the talent and determination of the Fall 2025 Editorial Board. Not only did we publish over 650 pieces of compelling journalism for our BU and Greater Boston readership — breaking a record — but we laughed and kept Warren CityCo in business along the way. 

This semester, the FreeP gained over 3,000 followers on Instagram — welcome everyone! Multimedia Editor Mia Kitaeff spearheaded the expansion and diversification of our social media content to increase engagement, while simultaneously directing us in office TikToks every print night.

Our coverage of the BU College Republicans’ president’s reactionary comments blew up, gaining traction on both Instagram and our website. Campus Co-Editors Sam Mandala and Elizabeth Mehler followed the breaking news and published several briefs as we gained new information, and their quick-hit coverage has been imperative to the Campus section’s success.

The BUCR coverage also made its way into our Nov. 14 print issue. Graphics Editor & Layout Co-Editor Emma Clement was a beast, drawing a beautiful front-page graphic at our, extremely last minute, request. She and Layout Co-Editor Jenny Chen were the backbone of each print night, producing clean and innovative layouts while appearing with bylines in print multiple times themselves.

The Investigative section also got involved with breaking news for print, with Investigative Editor Karyna Cheung turning around a story about BU requesting the removal of public-facing pride flags. I’ve enjoyed working with Karyna all semester, soaking in her acute approach to concrete, data-centered investigative journalism and learning so much from her along the way.

Most readers’ favorite element of our print issue is the crossword — and who can blame them? I love playing the print crosswords — and weekly minis — that Master of Games Emma Jee creates, especially when silly, Gen Z-relevant references pop up in the clues.

Photo Co-Editors Josephine Kalbfleisch’s and Isabella Oland’s stunning photos and galleries were another key factor in why students picked up each and every issue. The two put together numerous striking galleries covering everything from protests and concerts to sports games and scenes of the city. 

One of my favorite print nights was Oct. 2, when the Boston Hockey Blog collaborated with us on the annual Hockey Issue. Thank you to BHB Co-Directors Eli Cloutier and Sam Robb O’Hagan, as well as the rest of the Blog, for your captivating stories and visuals, including the sick center-spread graphic, and for playing games with us at 1 a.m.  

While BHB covers hockey, Sports Editor Kailyn Smith dominated the rest of BU’s sports coverage, producing a stream of new columns and developing engaging features and game recaps. I’ve loved talking through ideas and editing Kailyn’s flawless work week after week — not only did she expect the best, she created it.

Speaking of talking, I’m glad Podcast Editor Andrew Lay returned to his role this semester after I spent the spring as his “secretary,” booking studio space for the team and even participating in the recording process. I can’t wait to see what the Podcast section does next.

I also did a ton of talking with Business & Science Editor Jack Schwed, more commonly known to us as “Jackshots,” who was an absolute light in the office. Jack and Arts & Community Editor Sophie Shatzky illuminated the Features section with stories that always harped on human connection — regardless of the subject. Sophie’s profile on a BU student who created his own “Survivor” series was impeccably written and honored a community impacted by wildfires — I teared up reading it.

I was also impressed with the creative pitches developed by City Co-Editors Liam Dunne and Leia Green. They localized national news, keeping stories student-relevant and often choosing unique angles — my favorite of which was a story on Allston’s immigrant-owned businesses.

The Lifestyle and Opinion sections also published relevant and insightful pieces, uplifting talented writers’ voices along the way. Lifestyle Editor Erica Schwartz had the most consistent volume of stories — but quantity never outshone quality, and I know she’s the reason so many writers keep on writing.

Meanwhile, Opinion Co-Editors Anjola Odukoya and Ada Sussman produced innumerable columns while expanding the section’s representation with op-eds and writing some of the most polished, hard-hitting editorials I’ve ever read. 

Reflecting on all the record-smashing accomplishments of the Fall 2025 Editorial Board, I’m so privileged to have led this talented group of editors through thick and thin. I can’t wait to see what they all do next.

Again, I must thank Sam and Crystal. Their leadership was unmatched, and I don’t think this semester would have been half as successful without them by my side. I’ll miss our brunch outings and “Alvin and the Chipmunks” costumes — I was Alvin, duh.

Thank you to the Fall 2025 Board of Directors, led by President Siena Griffin and Vice President Sana Muneer, and especially to my “board buddy,” Mara Mellits, for their endless support and for helping me keep a good head on my shoulders.

Next semester, Spring 2025 City Co-Editor Truman Dickerson will return to e-board as editor-in-chief. With Anjola and Liam as incoming managing co-editors, they will make up the new “Top 3.” I’m beyond excited to see them continue the strong editing and leadership they bring to the FreeP, and I know the publication I love so much is going to be in good hands.  

I plan to continue to stay involved as a member of the Board of Directors, supporting the future editorial boards and helping continue to make the FreeP even better. 

As I sit writing this letter during our final print night of the semester — and my last night ever as a FreeP editor — I’m looking around at this quaint office that suddenly feels so vast. 

I see the collages of photos from past e-boards, my smile accompanying those of many of the friends I’ve made here. I see print editions I’ve contributed to taped up on the wall or stacks of them piled in the corners. I see the baby angel statue me and my friends, Kayla and Kate, signed during my faraway opinion editor days that I carried with me from desk to desk each semester of this crazy journey. 

I’ve written nearly 100 articles and edited thousands more. It’s heartbreaking and scary to think that my time here is over, and the future is about to unfold in front of me. It’s cliché to say my future is unknown, but it’s a reality that’s comforting to acknowledge when I have so many people beside me stepping into theirs as well.

That hole-in-the-wall office under Insomnia Cookies means the world to our FreeP community, and it produces work that has lasting impacts on the BU and broader Boston community. Keep supporting student journalism — it’s more important now than ever.

Best wishes,

Lauren Albano, Fall 2025 Editor-in-Chief