The Western Front is the official, independent student newspaper of Western Washington University. News and opinion content is written, edited and published by students. Staff reporters are enrolled in a course in the department of journalism, but any student enrolled at Western may offer stories, photos or guest columns to the editors. The Western Front is primarily supported by student fees.
Members of the Western community are entitled to a free copy of each print edition of The Western Front.
Please contact The Western Front’s editors with any questions, comments or concerns about this site or our coverage of Western, Bellingham, and Whatcom County.
Have news to share? Send tips, press releases and general comments to eic.westernfront@gmail.com.
Have something to say to the community? Send letters to the editor and guest columns to westernfront.opeditor@gmail.com.
Want to advertise? Direct inquiries to Megan McGinnis, student publications business office.
Faculty adviser
Betsy O’Donovan
odonove@wwu.edu
Official social media accounts
Twitter: @TheFrontOnline
Facebook: The Western Front
Instagram: @WesternFrontOnline
YouTube: Western Front Online
Spring 2021 Editorial Staff
Editor-in-Chief
Nate Sanford (he/him) is the editor-in-chief of The Western Front and a fourth-year news/editorial journalism major. His reporting focuses on the environment, local politics, culture and anything else that matters. His writing has appeared in Crosscut, The Planet magazine, Whatcom Watch and at least one desk in Haggard Hall. You can find him on Twitter @sanford_nate and at
natesanford.westernfront@gmail.com.
Managing Editor
Lauren Gallup (she/her) is the spring 2021 managing editor of The Front. She is a fourth-year news/editorial journalism major, whose writing has been featured in Klipsun, 425 and South Sound magazines. Her reporting seeks to answer, provoke and increase understanding. You can find her retweeting great journalism @thelaurengallup or reach her at laurengallup.westernfront@gmail.com.
City News Editor
Sophia Struna (she/her) is the city news editor for The Front and a third-year news/editorial journalism major. Her work focuses on city features, ranging from important issues impacting Bellingham to lighthearted community interactions. When not reporting, Sophia loves catching the sunset or spending time with her dog. You can contact her at sophiastruna.westernfront@gmail.com.
City Life Editor
Georgia Costa (she/her) is the city life editor for The Front and a third-year news editorial journalism major. Her work focuses on local features as well as access to health and services in Bellingham. You can contact her at georgiacosta.westernfront@gmail.com.
Campus News Editor
Ryan Morris (she/her) is the campus news editor for The Front and a third-year student at Western. Her work can be found in The Front, and in volunteer public relations pieces for Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services. As the former social media editor, a Canva or two may show up on your feed with her name attached. You can find her on Instagram @ryan.i.morris, on LinkedIn and at ryanmorris.westernfront@gmail.com.
Campus Life Editor
Elisa Espinoza (she/her) is the campus life editor for The Front and a fourth-year communication studies major and journalism minor. Her work focuses on Western Washington University’s community news and seeks to diversify the newspaper’s coverage of historically underrepresented groups. You can contact her at elisaespinoza.westernfront@gmail.com.
Opinions Editor
Alison Ward (she/her) is the opinions editor for The Front and a second-year public relations journalism major and sociology minor. Alison focuses on providing local news while calling attention to important stories, opinions, and concerns from the community. You can contact her at alisonward.westernfront@gmail.com or westernfront.opeditor@gmail.com.
Sports Editor
Nathan Schumock (he/him) is the sports editor of The Front and a third-year news/editorial journalism major. His reporting interests focus on varsity athletics at western, such as basketball and softball, as well as other campus news. He has written about movies for an online magazine called PrettyFilthy. When he’s not working for The Front he enjoys watching as many movies and sporting events as possible. You can find him on Twitter @nate_schumock and at nathanschumock.westernfront@gmail.com.
Online & Social Media Editor
Tayler Robertson (she/her), who hails from Chicago, is the social media editor for The Front and is a third-year news/editorial journalism major at Western Washington University. Tayler strives to make The Front’s social media inviting and knowledgeable for viewers. When she isn’t reporting, Tayler likes to cook and try new restaurants around the Bellingham area. You can also catch her singing on the worship team at Ekklesia. You can find her on Instagram @Tayler.Irene or reach her at taylerrobertson.westernfront@gmail.com.
Photo Editor
Hannah Cross (she/her) is the photo editor for The Front and a third-year visual journalism major. Her work focuses on local features and news as well as capturing eye-catching visuals. You can contact her at hannahcross.westernfront@gmail.com.
Illustrator
Tesla Kawakami (they/them) is the spring 2021 illustrator at The Front. They are pursuing a major in studio art with a minor in creative writing and a certificate in illustration. Their art has been featured in shows at the Seattle Art Museum and Western’s B Gallery. You can contact them at teslakawakami@gmail.com.
Copy Desk Chief
Emily Bassett (she/her) is one of two Copy Editors for The Front this quarter. She is a second-year, majoring in Medieval Literature with a double minor in Communication Studies and Education & Social Justice. Her writing interests include focuses on building community relationships and on putting people first. In her free time, she likes baking, discussions about grammar, and deep dives into Old English literature. You can reach her at emilybassett.westernfront@gmail.com.
Copy Desk
Gaia Crans (he/him) is a copy editor for The Front and a third-year news/editorial journalism student minoring in sociology. When he’s not writing or stressing over the existence of the Oxford comma, Gaia enjoys spending time outside with his dog, Nova. You can find him and pictures of his adorable pup on Instagram @captaingooya or contact him at gaiacrans.westernfront@gmail.com.
Audio and Multimedia Producer
Nolan Baker (he/him) is the spring 2021 audio and multimedia producer for The Front. He is a fourth-year news/editorial journalism major and audio technology minor, and has written and edited for The Front, Klipsun, and The Northern Light. When Nolan is not conducting field work, interviews, or producing The ForeFront, you can find him backpacking around the Northwest, making music with his friends, and arguing with his cat, Max.
