Confer was chosen from a pool of three candidates, including Don Stewart (junior-journalism) and Aimée Harris (junior-journalism, French and philosophy). Confer will succeed current Editor in Chief Bridgette Blair (senior-journalism), who will remain in the position until the day after the last publication of the semester.

"They all interviewed incredibly well and were obviously three incredibly confident, competent people," said Board Vice President Sally Maud Robertson. "Stacey was able to articulate both in her proposal and in her interview some real specifics that were achievable for the next year."

Trovato, who joined the Collegian in Spring Semester 1998, has worked for the past two semesters as an account executive in the Business Division. As the only candidate for business manager position, Trovato will succeed current Business Manager Scott Fallgren (senior-marketing).

Blair said in the relatively short time Trovato has worked for the Collegian, she has demonstrated both skill and enthusiasm.

"Even though she has been on staff for about a year, she has shown that she is very enthusiastic," Blair said. "She wants to work with other people and teach other people. That is really imperative to being a leader."

Blair said Confer's similar ability to teach staffers as well as work with them makes her an asset to the Collegian and a strong choice for editor in chief.

"She's one of the most calm, yet one of the most productive, editors I've seen here in a long time," Blair said. "She lets staffers know how important they are and I think that's why she's going to be a really excellent editor in chief."

Confer said in the upcoming year, she plans to work toward the redesign of the newspaper's visual appearance, in addition to its content. She said she is looking forward to taking on the project and hopes staffers will join her in the process. Working at the Collegian has been a positive experience, Confer said, and she looks forward to the challenges of the future.

"I'd say it has been one of the most rewarding things I have done," Confer said. "I have learned more here than I have in class. It has really added to what I have learned from professors."

Trovato said she hopes she can work with the Business Division and continue the momentum of previous semesters during the next year.

"The Collegian is a year-to-year business. I just want to make sure the staff is just as good next year as it is now," she said.