Preserving the Past

In a move that’s bound to spark nostalgia, Centenary University is gearing up to reintroduce the yearbook for the end of this academic year. The initiative, set in motion by the passionate members of the History Club, is a significant step in celebrating the diverse community that forms the heart of Centenary.

The History Club’s mission is to ensure that the vibrant mosaic of Centenary’s student body, past and present, is preserved and recognized for generations to come. 

“Centenary University has a proud history and a diverse, inclusive student body that needs to be captured and celebrated,” the club’s cabinet wrote in a statement for the paper. “If there is no yearbook, then there is no history.”

This sentiment is grounded in the understanding that yearbooks provide a unique window into the past, encapsulating moments, memories, and individuals that shape the identity of an institution. 

Once the initiative was enthusiastically approved by campus administration, the Taylor Memorial Library team was invited to manage the project. 

Susan Van Alstyne, library director, is currently working to collaborate with the History Club. 

“It would be ideal for all students to be involved,” Van Alstyne said. “The goal is for a student-driven final product.”

Van Alstyne shares the History Club’s passion for the preservation of the University’s history, and assures that this also resonates with the larger Centenary community. 

“We have yearbooks in the archives,” Van Alstyne shared. “Alums and family will often visit the library and request to view the yearbook.”

Centenary University’s archives contain yearbooks dating back to 1904, offering a treasure trove of insights into the evolution of the University over the last century. Yet, the collection ends abruptly over the past decade, marking a poignant gap in the narrative of the institution.

The History Club’s stance is clear: this gap must not be allowed to persist. As the cabinet further stated, “We must not continue to go down that path, instead we must bring back our history.” 

Yearbooks bridge the legacy that allows alumni to revisit their alma mater and provides future Cyclones with a glimpse into what Centenary was like from the perspectives of those who lived it.

The initial yearbook at Centenary University was written by student athletes and the Athletic Association in 1904, emphasizing the interests and pursuits of the student body, such as extensive reports on teams’ seasons and student profiles. 

Rekindling this tradition promises to capture a broader spectrum of experiences and personalities, fostering a stronger sense of community and shared history.

“The yearbook allows students to be able to look back at these times in the future and reminds them of how far they’ve come in life and their road to success,” Junior Osaivbie Igiebor, the president of Centenary’s chapter of Omega Rho Fraternity, advocated.  

The History Club’s call to action has garnered significant campus-wide support, including President Caldwell, expressing enthusiasm for the revival of the yearbook, generating palpable excitement among the student body.

As we look forward to the rebirth of this cherished tradition, it’s a reminder that history isn’t just something to be remembered; it’s something to be celebrated, cherished, and passed down. 

In the words of the History Club, “Let’s not make the mistake of missing out on more yearbooks going forward!”