Feature Stories

As the 2023-24 academic year began winding down, our Northerner newsroom brought to light the significance of the year-end for graduating seniors.

Many seniors were part of the high school class of 2020, which was severely impacted by COVID-19. For many graduates, commencement would be the first time they ever walked across a stage.

With this in mind, I sat down with three unique graduates: an international student from Panama, a transfer student and a fifth-year senior. Through their emotional stories, a light was shone on their struggles and hardships and all the ways they overcame to reach graduation.

“I’ve earned this degree”: End of an era for the class of COVIDMany students dream about the college experience: living in a dorm with your best friends, partying on the weekends and staying up way too late, class schedules that mean you can sleep in until noon. But all of that came crashing down in 2020, when the world shut down because of COVID-19. Now, four years...

Behind the badge: How John Gaffin changed NKUPD culture and conquered law schoolAn 18-year-old John Gaffin walked onto NKU’s campus with the idea that he would be a radio deejay, or at least something media related. He even wrote a movie review which was published in The Northerner. Nearly 20 years later, Gaffin remains at NKU, although he fulfills a much different role than he anticipated as...

After learning that Northern Kentucky University Police Chief John Gaffin had graduated from NKU's Salmon P. Chase College of Law, I felt that this accomplishment was deserving of a feature profile. Little did I know the connection and impact Gaffin's story would have.

Not only did the chief graduate from law school, he was also the valedictorian. And not only did he maintain those two roles, he also managed to remain a dedicated father. This story explained the path of the police chief, from his start at NKU 20 years ago to where he stood now.

Two long-time political science professors announced they would be departing from the university at the end of the fall 2023 semester.

Not only were the two professors in the same department, they are husband and wife!

Through detailed interviews, I had the opportunity to reflect on their career at NKU and their relationship as a couple, as well as give a sneak peek into their next steps.

Political science spouses wave goodbye after 20 years at NKUStanding on a pier in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Dr. Michael Baranowski and Dr. Kimberly Weir professed their “I do’s.” The date was August 5, 2004. Surrounded by a preacher, eight attendees, the flowing Delaware river and the enveloping August air, the duo marked the beginning of their life together. Then they returned to Northern Kentucky University...

This is me: How three Black leaders are making their community on campusShumyla Wright Black History Month serves as a reminder for the accomplishments and endurance of African Americans to senior Shumyla Wright, but the observance also challenges her to keep going and follow the path paved by those throughout history. Being black has impacted Wright all through her life, and that hasn’t faltered throughout her college...

As Black History Month came to a close, this feature piece highlighted three distinct students and members of the Black community.

Taking a glimpse into the life of a freshman, junior and senior all involved in different sectors of campus life, this story brought life to how valuable the Black community is at a predominantly white institution, and how support for these students is vital.

Taking three separate study abroad experiences into consideration, this story featured a unique, artistic style of writing. The experiences of the three students were truly brought to life, and input from the director of education abroad gave a united scope to the story.

Tales from abroadLearning about the French Revolution from a textbook and PowerPoint slide is one thing. Learning about the French Revolution as you stare at the towering Palace of Versailles near Paris is another thing. NKU Office of Education Abroad Executive Director Dr. François Le Roy has experienced teaching both. In short, Le Roy said studying abroad...