A Fond Farewell From Annie

In the middle of my senior year in college, a dear friend and mentor approached me one evening and mentioned a startup organization called Intellectual Takeout that was looking for college students to do research and writing internships. “You should apply!” he said.

I smiled externally but rolled my eyes internally. “You don’t know me as well as you think you do” was the thought that ran through my head. “I HATE research and writing.” But, thanks to the prompting of my father, I reluctantly applied and then accepted the internship, consoling myself by saying, “It is only for the summer.”

That was over 13 years ago. And I’ve laughingly eaten those famous last words again and again as I scaled the ladder from intern to editor and somehow became a bit of a fixture on the pages of Intellectual Takeout.

But sometimes it comes time for even the fixtures to move to a different arena, and thus it is with sadness that I must announce that my work here at Intellectual Takeout is coming to a close and that I will be moving on to new challenges and other opportunities for growth.

Leaving Intellectual Takeout is not something that is easy for me to do—in fact, I had to ruminate on this decision for months because it was so hard to let go. This organization has been a wonderful place to work: a place to grow and be challenged, a place where ideas can be discussed and topics raised without fear of cancellation, and a place where co-workers turn into some of your best friends.

I have also been blessed by you, my wonderful group of readers, who have so graciously taken the time to read my little offerings, provide feedback—both positive and negative—and even offer encouragement and thanks from time to time. Such support means more than I can say.

Expressing gratitude in farewells can sometimes seem trite, and as such, I hesitate to do so. There are so many individuals—family, friends, and co-workers—who have made my time at Intellectual Takeout possible. But as I think over the last 13 years, four individuals stand out especially, without whom my growth and success wouldn’t be possible:

• Roger Magnuson, who knew me better than I knew myself when he suggested I take the ITO internship. May that large chest of heavenly rewards that I’m sure you’re already enjoying grow even more because of the work that you encouraged me to do at Intellectual Takeout.
• Dan Lattier, who taught me that good writers know when to break the rules. Your coaching and confidence in my instincts developed my style and voice far more quickly than would have happened otherwise.
• Ed Welsch, who put me through his own journalism boot camp whether I liked it or not! Thank you, my friend. I’m sure my gratitude for your expert instruction will only increase as the years go by.
• And finally, Devin Foley, who took a chance by hiring an inexperienced but enthusiastic college student. You saw my potential and you’ve likely fought in my corner far more than I will ever know. Your “little sis” would never have made it this far without your encouragement.

While my future writings may be disappearing from the pages of Intellectual Takeout, this doesn’t mean that my writings will disappear altogether. In fact, it is my hope that they will increase. The easiest place to find my work going forward is on my Substack, where I will be republishing my writings from both print and web publications, publishing new, original content, and occasionally providing personal updates. I hope you will stop by to take a peek now and then!

Intellectual Takeout will be in new hands going forward, but I trust that those at the helm will continue to use its pages to bring hope and encouragement to those fighting for truth and right in this nation. May God bless you, dear reader, as you strive to be one of this merry band of happy warriors!

With love and gratitude,

Annie

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