Sports Editor Dustin Gouker was elected The GW Hatchet’s next editor in chief April 1 and was approved Friday by the Hatchet’s Board of Directors.

Gouker, a junior from Abbottstown, Pa., said he is excited about the opportunity to lead The Hatchet into the next millennium. Though he was elected on April Fools Day, he said the paper will not be a joke during the 1999-2000 academic year.

“I’m trying to provide the GW community with a better paper,” Gouker said.

Gouker has selected his editorial board for next year, and he said he is excited about the staff he has assembled.

“I’ve been impressed with the enthusiasm and the level of talent I’ve seen,” he said. “I’ve been impressed by the writing, and I am sure they will bring a lot as editors.”

Gouker said he joined The Hatchet’s sports staff in 1996 because it was the smallest group at the new writers’ meeting, and he was willing to do anything.

“I started off with women’s soccer – very glamorous,” he said.

He quickly rose in the sports staff, covering the women’s soccer beat his freshman year. He became assistant sports editor his sophomore year. He wrote a well-received story about conflict among players on the men’s basketball team and has covered many GW sports.

“It’s been a great experience and I’m ready to move on,” Gouker said.

He said he does not think readers will see a major difference in next year’s paper.

“I don’t see a need to riot a ship that is not sinking,” Gouker said.

He said he hopes to work more with the academic and student communities at GW.

The political communication major said he believes The Hatchet plays several key roles within the GW community.

“I see it as our role to try to provide students with a lot of the things they wouldn’t find other places,” Gouker said. “We’re also there to provide them with what they want to read about.”

He said he wants to find out more about what students want from their school newspaper.

Editor in Chief Becky Neilson said she is excited to see where Gouker will take The Hatchet next year.

“Dustin is an incredible writer and editor, and he has great visions of where this paper can go,” Neilson said. “I couldn’t leave The Hatchet in more capable hands.”