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Logo for The Minaret - Where Chuck Merlis was editor-in-chief during his senior year

Editor-in-Chief

 

I led the University of Tampa’s student newspaper, overseeing print and digital coverage while managing a team of writers and editors. I guided the paper’s transition to biweekly publishing and focused on stories that connected with the campus community. Here are my accomplishments:

These were my key responsibilities and most significant accomplishments as Editor-in-Chief of The Minaret:

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  • Online readership grew by 6,000% during my tenure as editor.

  • Increased publishing from monthly to bi-weekly.

  • Oversaw editorial content on both printed and digital copies of the newspaper.

  • Oversaw "Campus Life" becoming a new and permanent section paper for The Minaret.

  • Supervised an editorial staff, which included writers, editors, designers, and photographers.

  • Helped editors edit copy, ensuring all articles met journalistic standards and AP Style writing.

  • Published and updated the website's content through WordPress CMS.

  • Sent a weekly newsletter with new stories using MailChimp.

  • Led campus-wide recruitment to find new writers. These events included:

    • Tabling events.​

    • Joining introductory-level journalism courses to speak to incoming students.

    • Maintaining a strong presence on social media.

  • Maintained a rigid schedule with the publisher, ensuring each publication was delivered on time and properly formatted.

  • Getting a semesterly budget approved with university officials and managing the budget throughout the year. 

  • Delivered newspapers to newsstands around the University of Tampa.

Chuck Merlis delivering newspapers as Editor-in-Chief of the Minaret

Merlis putting copies of The Minaret on newstands around the University of Tampa while Editor-in-Chief.

Chuck Merlis leading a Minaret meeting as editor-in-chief

Merlis leading The Minaret's weekly meeting as Editor-in-Chief. 

Previous Roles with The Minaret

News Editor

  • Assigned and edited news coverage, mentored junior writers, and managed weekly pitches.

General Assignment Reporter

  • Covered campus events, student life, and relevant news stories across Tampa.

Ethan Deneault's mugshot on the cover of The Minaret (the Unviersity of Tampa's school newspaper) after being arrested on campus on three counts of secual exploitation.

Community Impact

During my time as Editor-in-Chief, The Minaret broke one of the most serious and high-profile stories in the University of Tampa’s recent history:

👉 Read the full article here.

In February 2024, The Minaret reported that University of Tampa professor Dr. Ethan Deneault, a tenured faculty member, had been arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office on three counts of sexual exploitation.

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He was taken into custody from his on-campus office while his son, an active UT student, was present. According to investigators from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), evidence included an affidavit describing Deneault allegedly standing at the end of his bed, partially nude, watching child sexual abuse material on a laptop while holding a pair of children’s underwear.

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Although his arrest occurred in early January 2024, the university did not notify students, faculty, or parents at the time.

My Role as Editor

I coordinated our newsroom’s coverage of the arrest, a story that carried both legal and ethical weight for me, the University of Tampa, and the wider campus community.

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In reporting on the case, The Minaret conducted interviews with the Department of Public Safety, obtained the affidavit detailing the professor’s alleged crimes from law enforcement in Georgia, and managed requests for comment from university officials.

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I am proud of the article we published, and even more proud of how The Minaret balanced the sensitive details with ethical editorial standards while navigating the strong emotional responses from students, faculty, and Deneault's family.

Professional Endorsements

Dr. David Wheeler standing against a brick wall in a blue suit, smiling with hands in pockets.

As the adviser for the University of Tampa's student newspaper, The Minaret, I've had the great pleasure of working with Chuck Merlis as editor-in-chief.

 

Under Chuck's leadership, Minaret traffic increased by 6,000 percent. You read that correctly – six THOUSAND percent.

 

He has overseen a renaissance of interest in the student paper, established more print editions, created new roles at the paper that hadn't existed before (such as social activities director), and, in general, has dedicated himself to excellence in journalism.

 

I give Chuck my highest recommendation.

Dr. David Wheeler

Faculty Advisor for The Minaret

Professor of Journalism at the University of Tampa

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