Say goodbye to this byline

OKLAHOMA CITY — For most of you, I’m just a byline. But, if you’re interested, I’d like to give you a little insight into this part of my life.

Four years ago, I graduated from Harding University in Searcy, Ark., and moved to Oklahoma City to join The Christian Chronicle staff.

It was a gamble on the Chronicle’s part.

Despite good references, I was virtually untested. The COVID-19 global pandemic had disrupted my college education, leaving me without an internship as newsrooms and media agencies went remote and pared down to essential employees. The only journalistic clips I’d produced were for Harding’s campus newspaper, The Bison.

But Bobby Ross Jr., the Chronicle’s editor-in-chief, and Erik Tryggestad, its president and CEO, must have seen potential because they invited me to interview in person after a phone call.

I think it’s fair to say that — at least in the beginning — we butted heads.

During my interview, they asked me to redesign a page from the previous month’s issue — and I started by deleting and creating a new masthead. (Never say I haven’t put my minor in art to use, Mom.)

Audrey Jackson, center, learns how to use a camera during a class at Harding University in September 2017.

Suffice to say, I misunderstood that they simply wanted me to reorganize the existing elements and copy. Somewhere in there I even made a crack at the style of the fonts, asking, “Was this designed in 2003?”

Almost — Scott LaMascus, the Chronicle’s former managing editor, launched the design in 2000 under the guidance of then-Editor Bailey McBride. Little did I know then that I would later facilitate and oversee the newspaper’s first redesign in 24 years.

Call it God’s providence or redemption of my ill-fated font comment — either way, I am thankful the Chronicle’s leadership decided to give me a chance in 2021.

In the following years, they have sent me Around the World and Across the Nation — former section headers our longtime subscribers might recall — to bring you stories, photos and facts. I’ve produced articles and newsletters, designed print layouts and formatted content online.

Audrey Jackson and Erik Tryggestad prepare to enter a COVID-19 ward in Juticalpa, Honduras.

Audrey Jackson takes a selfie in front of the Acropolis in Athens, Greece.

Audrey Jackson takes a photo at Mount Precipice in Nazareth, Israel.

I’ve also moved offices and changed titles.

But this issue will be the last time I write for the Chronicle as a staff member. And the Chronicle staff isn’t just losing me but also my dogs Gandalf and Embargo, which they’re arguably more upset by.

We are parting on good terms as I prepare to move to Louisville, Ky., where my fiancé, Zach, is completing a residency in emergency medicine.

I find myself grateful for all the moments, big and small, that I’ve experienced during my time at this publication.

Audrey Jackson and Zach Leasau pose in front of the Old Man of Storr in Scotland.

I’ve taken staff members’ family photos, hitched rides to a mechanic when my car needed repairs and celebrated numerous birthdays over office breakroom parfaits. I’ve even won the occasional journalism award.

All this has given me insight into the people who make this newspaper valuable. Maybe these anecdotes will help you appreciate them, too:

• Ross loves listening to country music and is mostly blind in his left eye — both of which I learned the first time he drove my car on a reporting trip. He and his wife, Tamie, also took me to my first professional baseball game. Fortunately, the visiting Texas Rangers came back to defeat the New York Mets at Citi Field. Ross almost labeled me a jinx when his favorite team struggled during the first inning.

• Tryggestad, self-proclaimed “not a dog person,” has bought Gandalf his own order of McDonald’s fries. More photos of Gandalf hang in his office than in mine.

Gandalf searches The Christian Chronicle archives in Oklahoma City.

• Melinda Wilson, the Chronicle’s administrative assistant, makes the best cup of tea and offers free wisdom in between sips. Her friendship is invaluable.

• Sawmi Kanjarla, special projects manager, has the best sense of style. I’ve been more than happy to inherit a few pieces from her closet.

• Connie Penick, the Chronicle’s advertising director, makes sure everyone is greeted with a smile on the way to their office.

• Contributing editor Cheryl Mann Bacon … well, it’s hard not to admire her love of words. Big words, small words, any words that can fill a page. I kid — she has produced some of the most in-depth, insightful work during my tenure.

• Jeremie Beller, our opinions editor, sounds like Bob the Tomato from VeggieTales. I’m sorry, Beller, for giving you a complex about wearing red shirts.

All this to say, I am grateful for the years of fellowship with this small, award-winning journalistic staff.

I will miss their camaraderie.

If I’m lucky, they might just miss me, too.

And I want to thank you as well, reader, for the past four years.

Many of you have opened up your lives, your homes, your churches and your ministries to me. I’ve met with you in war-torn countries, modest auditoriums and crowded coffee shops. I’ve listened and reported your prayers, sorrows and joys.

It’s been an honor.

Audrey Jackson poses in front of the Monarch Mountain ski resort in Salida, Co.

AUDREY JACKSON is the Managing Editor of The Christian Chronicle.   Contact [email protected].

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