The Collegian came back from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association conference with a bushel of awards. Twenty-five to be exact.

The stories the staff has worked hard on this semester and in previous semesters has made this the award-winning newspaper it has become.

However, it couldn’t have become this recognizable across the state without having an audience to write about and readers to read each issue. The support students, faculty, staff and administration have given to the student-run paper has been tremendous. For that, thanks needs to be given.

I’m grateful for how cooperative TCC has been with our reporters. Though sometimes phone tag is played across the five different campuses and district, TCC has been open and easy to work with.

Texas A&M-Commerce had its papers stolen earlier this semester by members of its own football team for an article the staff printed. The situation made national news. The coach said it was “the best team building exercise we have ever done.”

It’s nice that TCC has been gracious in understanding the printing of both sides of the news — the good and the bad. I’m thankful for that.

TCC faculty and students are also none too shy to let The Collegian know of its errors. This is a good thing. It means people are reading what the reporters are writing. It means The Collegian is having an impact. It means we’re learning.

We aren’t perfect, so pointing out any corrections or errors that need to be made always helps the quality of the newspaper improve. Also, the ideas and the 90 [and growing number of] supporters The Collegian has received via Facebook shows that in the three semesters I have been here, the newspaper has improved its relationship with its audience. We even have followers on Twitter now. It’s amazing to see that relationship between campuses, students and faculty grow with each issue published.

Thank you, TCC, for supporting the newspaper and helping it unite five campuses, which can often seem so separate from each other. Please continue to read, give feedback and support the newspaper to make it something for everyone — students, faculty and staff alike. The Collegian couldn’t be known as an award-winning newspaper statewide without you.