Goodbye Column: The Sunflower, a special experience to never forget

Megan Bailey, Reporter • May 9, 2025

When I first majored in communication during my freshman year at Wichita State, I had no idea what the major entailed. I thought it was about helping people — which it is — but I wasn’t interested in media, radio or news.

Well, here I am six years later, and I love my major now. Thanks to all the wonderful experiences and support I’ve had through my classes, with Dr. Ian Tennant and Tom Shine, I got the chance to write 18 wonderful briefs about news happening at WSU.

The first time that I learned how to write news readers was through my internship at KMUW last fall. I actually had the chance to work with Tom Shine during the summer one-on-one, even before I applied for my internship. Through that experience, my writing became better and better.

“You should work for The Sunflower,” Shine told me.

So, I applied to work for The Sunflower, and the moment I got there, it felt like I was doing my KMUW internship all over again.

The one thing that I will never forget at The Sunflower is all the briefs I have written for the website, and of course, all the staff for helping me edit them. I would not have done them without their love and support.

I would also like to shout out Ainsley and Allison for all of their support in helping me with the content to be able to write those briefs. I will miss you the most, and I wish you the best of luck in your future.

Overall, WSU has been my “home away from home,” and I will miss it so much, especially all of the wonderful people in Elliott Hall. It has been quite the adventure throughout my college career, especially when COVID hit. It was difficult for me to shift from in-person classes to online classes.

Once WSU finally started going back to being in person, I felt better, because I was missing the connections with people. I love communicating with people, and when I was in isolation, I felt lonely. I started getting involved on campus as time went on and found something that I enjoyed doing.

So, again, thank you to The Sunflower for a wonderful experience that I will treasure in my heart and memories forever.

About the Contributor

Megan Bailey, Reporter

Megan Bailey is a reporter for The Sunflower. Bailey is a senior pursuing a degree in communication studies. Before joining The Sunflower, she interned at NPR-affiliate KMUW, writing spots for the radio. After she graduates from Wichita State, she wants to be a reporter at a radio station. Outside of work, she enjoys swimming, singing and dancing. Her favorite band is Twenty One Pilots. She goes by she/her.