The Badger Herald Editorial Board is composed of eight Herald staff members and represents the voice of our editorial department. Our purpose is to speak out and take a stance on the most relevant issues concerning the University of Wisconsin campus, the city of Madison and the state of Wisconsin.
Each member of the board is engaged with the greater campus community outside of The Herald, and we strive to ensure we challenge ourselves with new perspectives.
If you have suggestions for topics we should cover or have a response to anything we write, feel free to send us an email at [email protected].
Following is this semester’s Editorial Board:
Will Romano – Editorial Board Chair and Opinion Editor
My name is Will, and I’ve worked with The Herald since my first semester freshman year. I started out as a news writer, joined opinion in my second semester and worked as an opinion editor last semester. I will also take on the role of Editorial Board chair this semester.
I’m a sophomore majoring in economics and journalism and working towards a certificate in environmental studies. I’m interested in social media, corporations, soccer and green infrastructure. I also have random fascinations with vocabulary and Anthony Bourdain. So yes, I’m all over the place.
In my free time, I read The Wall Street Journal and Paul Krugman’s column in The New York Times. You can usually find me staring blankly into Lake Mendota as I brainstorm ideas for articles. If you or anyone you know wants to write for us — or if you just have a random, passionate opinion about anything— reach out to me at [email protected]!
Erin Gretzinger – Editor-in-Chief
I’m Erin, and I’ve worked at The Herald since my freshman year. I started out as a timid news writer, then became a city news editor. Last year, I was the digital news editor, and this year, I am honored to be at The Herald’s editorial helm as the editor-in-chief.
I am a junior double majoring in journalism and French. After visiting the wonderful, chaotic Herald office for the first time, I knew it was the place where I wanted to become a reporter. As an avid advocate for local journalism, I accordingly get most of my news from publications on the Isthmus such as the Wisconsin State Journal and Cap Times.
We are always looking to broaden our coverage and hear as many perspectives as possible. Whether you want to raise awareness about an issue important to you or write about something completely goofy, the Herald’s got a place for you and your thoughts — reach out to me at [email protected] to get involved.
Fiona Hatch – Opinion Editor
I’m Fiona, and I started working with The Herald last semester as an opinion contributor. I’m a freshman studying political science and international studies hoping to eventually pursue a graduate degree in journalism or something similar. I once suspected a future career in reporting with my mildly concerning obsession with news podcasts and CNN reports. My fall term at Madison solidified that for me after I joined both The Badger Herald and the WSUM radio station.
CNN is my personal favorite news outlet, but I also spend a fair share of time on BBC and The New Yorker. My guilty pleasure is listening to The New York Times podcast and The Daily. When I’m not being a journalism nerd, I like to spend my free time creative writing and trying out a whole bunch of different forms of art like painting, sketching and photography. I’ve tried them all and have become slightly better than subpar at most of them!
I am so excited to be working with The Herald and all of its amazing staff and contributors! If you want to reach out to me about the Herald — or anything, really — feel free to email me at [email protected].
Ben Baker – Print Features Editor
I’m Ben. I’ve been working with The Herald since I was a freshman. I started out in the news division as an associate and editor but gravitated towards feature writing at the end of my junior year.
I’m a senior, enrolled in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication with an emphasis on the reporting track. I’ve always loved writing and had a reverence for the reporter’s craft. After starting out as a reporter for the Herald, I knew I wanted to work in a newsroom and pursued my interests through student journalism and freelance writing.
I have loved my time at The Herald and am always happy to chat with readers or potential new writers. If you’ve got any tips for us or you’re looking to get involved please feel free to contact me at [email protected].
Janani Sundar – Digital Features Editor
I’m Janani, and I started working at The Herald my freshman year and have been here ever since. I started as a news reporter and was a news associate for two semesters. This will be my third semester as a section head for Features.
I’m a junior majoring in neurobiology with a certificate in French. I’m on the pre-med track and would eventually like to become an ophthalmologist.
Like my fellow editors, I can’t say I actively sift through the WSJ or NYT, but I do spend copious amounts of time scrolling randomly in search of inspiration for stories. In my free time, I love to sing, play the flute, binge watch way too much TV and try out/sometimes miserably fail at making recipes from “The Great British Bake Off.”
I love working at The Herald and am always looking for new topics to explore and new writers. If you ever have an urge to write about literally anything — and I mean literally anything — feel free to contact me at [email protected]!
Nuha Dolby – Member of the Board of Directors
I’m Nuha, and I’ve worked at The Herald since my first semester of freshman year. I started out in news, moved my way up to news editor and then features editor, and now do most of my writing outside student media but still sit on our Board of Directors, yelling at people.
I’m studying English and Math and am looking forward to a hopeful career in reporting. I’m a huge fan of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (support local media always!) and religiously read The Onion because they keep making jokes that read a little too much like real news. In my free time, I like to take naps and eat cheese — I am basically a mouse.
If you want to chat or share ideas, I recommend reaching out to one of the more likable members of the Editorial Board! They’ve all put their emails down so that should be nice and simple.
Anne Isman — Former Editorial Board Chair
I’m Anne, and I’ve been at The Herald since my first week of freshman year. I’ve since served as opinion editor and Editorial Board chair, as well as print features editor this past semester. While I’ll always love our opinion section, my time is now spent on The Herald’s Board of Directors as well as writing the occasional column.
I’m a junior double-majoring in economics and international studies along with a French certificate, so I scroll through The New York Times front page like it’s my Instagram feed. When I’m not doing that, I’ll also read New York Magazine and The New Yorker because if I haven’t already told you, I’m from New York.
Though I’m supporting The Herald from abroad this semester, I’m always happy to talk all things ed board, opinion or otherwise (and I’ve yet to turn off Herald email notifications), so feel free to email me at [email protected].
Hayden Kolowrat – Former Opinion Editor
My name is Hayden, and I began writing at The Herald last winter just to get some weekly writing practice. Now after two semesters, I have served as an opinion editor and member of the Editorial Board.
While this is my fourth year at UW, it is my first as a graduate student. I graduated early this past year with a BA in History and am now pursuing an MA in Southeast Asian Studies. I research instances of U.S. military interventions in Southeast Asia and other places around the world. I plan to continue my education in a history PhD program so that eventually I can study these topics further in either academia or on the editorial board of a historical journal.
The Editorial Board serves to represent the voice of The Badger Herald editorial department, distinct from the newsroom, and does not necessarily reflect the views of each staff member.
