You don't need to be a journalist.

Traditionally, the Collegian's editor in chief writes a column on the first day of publication, encouraging students to join the paper's staff.

I'm supposed to tell you how, by working for the student newspaper, you can become involved in your university and town. I'm supposed to tell how you can learn hands-on what you will never learn from sitting in a lecture hall or reading a textbook. And I'm supposed to tell you how you will meet people, make friends and challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone.

Yes, all of these things are true.

I would like to think that I know more about the workings of Penn State and the State College area than the average student does. I know where I can review a copy of the university's budget, how the Undergraduate Student Government is structured and how to find my way around the county courthouse in Bellefonte.

I also have learned a lot about journalism. I have taken some valuable courses at Penn State, but much of what I have learned at the Collegian could not be taught in a classroom. Writing a story for next Thursday's class is different from having an hour to pull together an article so the paper doesn't miss its press deadline.

Getting quotes from audience members at a speech on campus is different from interviewing someone who just lost a loved one.

And I also have made good friends. Spending 40-plus hours a week in the same office tends to be a great bonding experience, as I am sure many of you also have discovered through your Penn State involvements.

So, yes, working for the Collegian will help you meet people, gain experience and will force you to learn about Penn State, State College and beyond.

But it isn't the only way.

Too many students don't know who the vice president for student affairs is. Or what the Undergraduate Student Government does.

Or what is being discussed at the next State College Borough Council meeting -- let alone what is going on nationally and internationally.

My message is simple:

You don't have to be a reporter to attend a USG Senate meeting.

You don't have to be a reporter to contact Penn State President Graham Spanier (president@psu.edu).

You don't have to be a reporter to look over plans for downtown development projects.

Plus, you don't have to be a reporter to follow what is going on in Iraq or in Afghanistan.

The Collegian is looking for students to join the news division, and I want people who care about what is going on -- locally and globally -- to be part of the paper's staff. For those students, I urge you to come to one of the tryout sessions listed on Page 32.

But for everyone else, I encourage you to look beyond the walls of your dorm room or apartment. This campus is full of intelligent students, but too small a percentage of them are informed and involved.

Apathy will not increase the amount of student parking. It will not improve town-gown relations. It will not change an unfair university rule or influence an elected official.

Nor will ignorance.

Inform yourselves. Read the newspaper. Watch the news. Pay attention in class.

You don't need to be a journalist to know who Donald Rumsfeld is. Or to know what the USA Patriot Act does. Or to know what is going on in Israel -- and to understand the history behind the violence there.

But if you want to be a journalist, we would love to have you.