Wildcat appoints new editor in chief

Wildcat File Photo Arizona Daily Wildcat David Cieslak, Arizona Daily Wildcat incoming editor in chief

"I love news reporting. I always have and I always will," he said. "But the needs of the paper change. I thought I could help more by advancing and becoming editor."

Cieslak, a 19-year-old journalism sophomore, was appointed April 9 by the University of Arizona's Student Media Board to manage the Arizona Summer Wildcat and the fall Daily Wildcat.

He was chosen after an open application process and interview by the board, which is made up of 22 students, faculty and administrators.

Cieslak worked for one year as a Wildcat news reporter and served as the assistant news editor for the past three months. During that time, he has covered an array of topics from the University of Arizona administration to President Bill Clinton's visit to Tucson.

"Pretty much, if it's out there, I've covered it," he said.

He will be the first junior in five years appointed to the Wildcat editor in chief position, said Mark Woodhams, Arizona Student Media director.

"The board saw in Dave, despite relative inexperience, a sharp newsman - having the capacity to grow," he said. "I feel confident with Dave and comfortable that he'll keep the Wildcat an award-winning college newspaper."

With his new position, Cieslak plans big changes for Catalyst., the Wildcat's weekly pullout arts magazine

"Arts will change, but change for the better," he said.

The Catalyst will not be in a magazine format but instead be published five days a week on an arts page, he added.

"We're going to expand the arts coverage to include more mainstream issues," he said. "It will be one page per day covering T.V., music, movies and local entertainment."

Current editor in chief Brian Barker offered a little guidance.

"You have to roll with the changes that occur during the semester," he said.

He said he has confidence that Cieslak can handle the position.

"Dave's a workhorse," Barker said. "He leads by example because he's dedicated and he is a competent journalist."