From the Editor's Desk: May 2024

I discovered the Kumquat the summer before I came to Chapman. I told everyone it was my goal to become part of the satire newspaper. When I made it on first semester of my freshman year, I was ecstatic. And terrified. I felt like an imposter. To my surprise, everyone welcomed me with open arms. The strangers I met during that first meeting have become some of my best friends. Flash forward four years later, I have become one of the editor in chiefs of the paper and found the confidence to call myself a comedy writer. The Kumquat welcomed me to a community of the most wonderful people who allowed me to discover my own voice. I am forever grateful for everything this little paper has brought me. To everyone who we made laugh, to everyone who we made think, to everyone in between, thank you.

Sincerely, Kummy

"Holy shit, this dope ass professor let's you use his first name" was the very first Kumquat article I read, having stumbled upon it taped to the bench in the far right corner of Memorial Lawn. Little freshman me was crying, overwhelmed by my first week at college and horrified at the thought of being late to class with a red, dribbly face. I remember genuinely laughing out loud between my poor little sniffles and sobs and feeling for the first time at school that maybe I was in the right place. My best friends and memories have come from this staff. Thank you Kumquat readers for telling us that we fell off on Fizz, for reading our issues in your dorms, for laughing with—or at—us with your friends. I hope we brought a smile to your face during your time here. My heart is forever kumquat-shaped.

Sincerely, Madame President