DAVID HARDEN/Arizona Daily Wildcat Incoming Wildcat editor in chief Saul Loeb will preside over a staff of about 100 people, and will lead the newspaper as it moves to new quarters in the Park Student Union.

Over the summer, Saul Loeb was at the White House Rose Garden taking pictures of the U.S. president and the prime minister of Israel.

Now he is taking charge of nearly 100 people, as the new editor in chief of the Arizona Daily Wildcat.

Loeb, who served as an intern for Knight-Ridder Tribune in Washington, D.C. this past summer, has been published by The Boston Globe and Detroit Free Press to name a few.

After starting at the Wildcat as a photographer in October 2001, Loeb moved on to become the assistant photo editor, photo editor, and this semester he has served as managing editor.

Loeb, a journalism and political science junior, said becoming editor in chief is something he never thought would happen.

He said he took a more unconventional path toward being the EIC, noting that the photo desk is usually not the place to be if you want to run a paper.

"I think it's going to be a good challenge for me," Loeb said.

Loeb earned his upcoming position over three other highly qualified candidates.

"Saul had one of the best prepared outlines of what he planned to do," said Mark Woodhams, Arizona Student Media director. "It was thoughtful and quite detailed about the changes that need to be made."

Current EIC Jeff Sklar said he feels Loeb is the right man to continue leading the UA's only student-run paper.

"Saul's going to be a good editor," Sklar said. "He's been around a long time; he knows this place."

Known for his work ethic and quality work, Loeb was recognized by Sklar and former EIC Daniel Scarpinato, who awarded him the 2002-2003 Excellence in Managing award.

"As photo editor, Saul really put together the most solid photo desk I've ever seen," Scarpinato said.

For the most part, the staff believes Loeb's experience and dedication will only help the paper.

"He's done more than anybody else this semester," said Justin St. Germain, copy editor. "I think he's been ready to take over for a while now."

"As managing editor, he proved his ability to get the job done day in, day out," Woodhams said.

Loeb, who will begin his sixth semester at the Wildcat in the spring, said he's up for the task.

"No doubt it will be challenging, but I'll rise to it," Loeb said.