“That’s my article!” Morgan Blankenship remembers hearing as peers flipped through the latest issue of The Woove
When Blankenship became editor-in-chief of the magazine affiliated with student-run radio station WUVT, she focused on upholding the station’s motto, “For everyone.” Guided by Virginia Tech’s motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), she worked to amplify the voices of those around her
After applying to Virginia Tech on a last-minute whim, Blankenship wasn’t sure where she would end up for college. New York? California? But ultimately, the decision came down to the financial aid Virginia Tech offered. Blankenship is a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship, allowing her to pursue her degree debt free
“Virginia Tech gave me the opportunity to attend college when that wasn’t guaranteed,” said Blankenship, a third-year English language arts education major in the School of Education. “Once I arrived, I started asking how I could give back.”
Blankenship found her own place on campus through various extracurricular activities. From serving as a student leader for Virginia Tech’s first-generation living learning community, to joining English-related clubs, and her commitments with WUVT, Blankenship defined her college journey through giving back to the community around her
Blankenship joined WUVT hesitantly during the spring of her first year, assuming it would demand more time than she could spare. Instead, she discovered a passion she hadn’t expected. The choice changed the trajectory of her college experience
“Working in radio builds a different kind of community centered around music, creativity, and connections not just within Virginia Tech, but across Blacksburg and the New River Valley,” Blankenship said
Blankenship was then introduced to The Woove. The magazine primarily centers around music and pop culture while featuring student-made art, poetry, and creative work. She decided to get involved as the previous editor-in-chief was graduating, leaving the magazine at threat of discontinuation if no one stepped in.
“It felt like a call to action,” Blankenship said
With experience as a senior yearbook editor in high school, Blankenship put her name into the running and was appointed editor-in-chief. Although she initially underestimated the commitment, she quickly realized the time, creativity, and energy required to keep the magazine running smoothly
As a writer, Blankenship recognizes that creative work can often be undervalued despite the effort and emotion poured into creating it. The Woove became a place where these under-appreciated creations could have a place to be celebrated rather than judged
Since becoming editor, she has been carefully building the magazine to create more campus opportunities in a highly competitive field. With many publications both on and off campus having high rejection rates, Blankenship wanted The Woove to represent an inclusive space where all students could publish and share their work. Her goal for the magazine was to create a community of artists, writers, and students of all majors in an open, collaborative, and creative environment
“I don’t want it [The Woove] to become just one thing,” she said. “I want it to be a hundred different things to a hundred different people.”
As an aspiring English educator, Blankenship is adapting experiences from The Woove into her future work in the classroom. As editor-in-chief, she has learned important lessons about deadlines, accountability, and being flexible when needed. Even with magazine deadlines, she understands that sometimes students need a bit more time. She’s learned that instead of turning students away for missing a deadline, it’s important to understand the responsibilities and challenges they may be balancing outside the classroom.
“Teaching is similar,” Blankenship said. “Students come into the classroom with different personalities and experiences. Managing a magazine staff helped me understand how to balance many people’s needs at once.”
“Through both my role as a student leader and as an editor, I serve different communities, but the goal is the same: helping people find their spark and where they fit in,” Blankenship said.
Written by Kate Robbins, creative writing and professional and technical writing student
Contact:
Jenny Kincaid Boone
540-314-7207
