As the opinion editor of The Lantern for the past three quarters, I feel I am privy to one last privilege, which is to say, a spot on the last edition of my tenure. However, while I have usually used column space to praise eccentric judges and promote the death penalty, I wanted to move away from the political arena this time, and instead spout a few final thank-yous, reflections and farewells.

I’ll keep the mushiness to a minimum.

First, I hope you realize the year you have all experienced, which was laden with many historical firsts and accomplishments. The Ohio State football team won its first national championship since 1968, and did so under a coach who has the potential to match Woody Hayes not only in his ability to achieve, but his ability to be loved. We have rung in the era of OSU’s first female president, Karen A. Holbrook. We silenced the national media when, in expectations of spring riots, we behaved like the young adults we’re purported to be (while still managing to have a ridiculous amount of non news-worthy drinking fun). The OSU baseball team, participating in a college sport constantly overshadowed by the moneymakers, is headed to the super regionals of the NCAA Tournament.

While every year has its share of moments and memories, I have a feeling there are few to come which will match this academic year’s excitement level.

In the midst of all this and more, there was news: news at OSU, and news from abroad. As this news filtered in – as bills were passed, war was waged and human rights were compromised – people started caring. And whereas the reporters wrote the stories, everyone – from The Lantern staff to the readers – formed and wrote opinions, giving my life some purpose for a few months. For this, I have a great deal of gratitude and feel credit and thanks should be given where it’s due.

First and foremost, I want to thank the readers for another successful year. Whether you picked up a copy of The Lantern from a newsbox, your residence hall, off the Internet or even off the ground at the bus stop, you made yourself a part of the wide readership we pride ourselves upon. Specifically, thanks to the readers who were moved – negatively or positively – enough to take time to let their voice be heard and wrote a letter or e-mail to the editor, or even those who wrote the columnists themselves to perpetuate an argument. Most of these letters proved OSU has an informed and opinionated population.

The rest of the letters were hilarious and often shared around the newsroom.

In the same respect, I want to thank The Lantern columnists for their contribution to the integrity of the paper, reader interest and reader outrage. While the responses collected throughout the year prove (if nothing else) that a vast number of readers disagree with the columnists, each columnist was often able to provide insightful, controversial and often humorous points of view on a broad range of topics.

While not evoking many responses, our cartoonist, John Bonza, decorated The Lantern with hyperbolic football players and celebrity characatures, as well as satires of both politics and life which were consistently concise and comical. He has delivered in one drawing and 10 words what would take most hundreds of words to say.

Many thanks are due the members of the editorial board, who had to endure hours of arguing and debate to produce each week’s collective Lantern opinions. They too are responsible for both the volume and veracity of reader response.

All in all, thanks are owed to anyone who decided to speak up and not practice political apathy, anyone who felt a story was written from the wrong angle or even anyone who saw that “Patterspn” should actually be “Patterson.” It is both your collective and individual voices which enable the Opinion section of this and any paper to be the idealistic forum of thought that it should be.

While I say good-bye to the Opinion section, I hope and know most readers will not be. If you’ve been displeased with the way the page has been run – say something. If you believe the Opinion page has satisfied your thirst for ideas and debate – say something. We many not always respond, but trust me – we’re listening.

Kyle Woodley is The Lantern opinion editor and wants to know what you thought of the Opinion page this year. He can be reached for comment at [email protected].