(Kate McCarney / Fourth Estate)

Bringing you reporting from A to Z

BY LOUIS VOLKER, COPY EDITOR

Hello! 

My name is Louis Volker, and I am one of Fourth Estate’s Copy Editors for the spring 2026 semester. I’m a junior Communication major concentrating in Journalism, and I primarily oversee News and Opinion editing. As a huge nerd that also happens to play for Mason’s women’s basketball team, I’m enthusiastic about the variety of stories I get to work with in my role for Fourth Estate. 

My main role is to work with different writers and make sure that articles adhere to AP news style and Fourth Estate style while still keeping the writer’s distinct voice. My goal is for every article to be as accessible as possible to readers and reflect the writer’s unique perspective.  

I decided I wanted to be a journalist in 2016 when Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor broke the news that Harvey Weinstein had been sexually assaulting women in Hollywood for decades, beginning the #MeToo movement. I fell in love with the wide range of topics that journalism has to offer and the unique ways that it connects people, keeps them informed and tells their stories. 

My hope for this semester is to help bring Mason the information and connections that matter. This might be breaking national news, opinions on local developments or even pop culture reviews. Mason’s diverse array of perspectives and stories are invaluable parts of what makes the university special. I believe it is vital that Fourth Estate gives writers the platform and ability to tell these stories. 

Please do not hesitate to reach out if you’d like to write for Fourth Estate. What you have to say matters! 

Best, 

Louis Volker, Copy Editor

lvolker2@gmu.edu