Hoffman Estates Native Named Editor in Chief for The Daily Illini at University of Illinois

Darshan Patel has been named editor in chief of The Daily Illini, the independent student newspaper at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Patel, son of Manisha Patel of Hoffman Estates, is a 2010 graduate of James B. Conant High School. Currently he is a junior at U of I where he studies Broadcast Journalism in the College of Media. Patel joined The Daily Illini staff in March 2011 and most recently was an assistant sports editor. He will supervise a staff of approximately 130 students responsible for connecting with The Daily Illini's audience and finding the stories that interest them most.

Of print media, Patel says, “I don't think it's dying… it's just changing.” Patel plans to bring innovative ideas to his new position. He says, “One of my biggest goals here is to instill ‘online first.'”

About Illini Media Company: Established at Illini Publishing Company in 1911, Illini Media is the parent company of The Daily Illini, buzz weekly, WPGU-FM, Illio yearbook, Technograph magazine and associated websites. Many notable University of Illinois graduates are Illini Media alumni, including Roger Ebert, Hugh Hefner and Dave Eggers. Illini Media is an independent affiliate of the University of Illinois and supports itself primarily through advertising revenue. Approximately 300 students are employed at IMC.