Centenary Students Visit the University Archives with Colleen Bain, Archivist

Colleen Bain, archivist at Centenary University, gave a tour of the University’s historical newspaper collections to Professor Janet Zatta’s class of Experiential Writing students in September. 

The class will be developing both a digital and print issue of the new student newspaper. Bain offered the tour so that students could learn about previous newspapers. 

“It is so exciting, this idea that you want to put out something either digitally or in print,” said Bain. 

The tour through the archives offered a glimpse into the evolution of Centenary University’s student publications. Beginning with The Scroll from 1874, which described itself as “devoted to the true, the beautiful, and the good,” students learned that the college’s early newspapers served primarily as a means of advertising for the institution, Bain continued. 

As time progressed, so did the nature of the publications. According to Bain, The Commencement Chronicle, which made its debut in 1886, distinguished itself with its news coverage and connection to the local newspaper, the Warren Reporter.

The Hackettstonian, issued in 1896 as a monthly publication, focused on college life and proclaimed itself as “a thorough school and a thoroughly Christian school.”

Spilled Ink followed as the newspaper for the Centenary Collegiate Institute, with issues ranging from four to 16 pages, featuring interviews, sorority events, and shows.

The Quill, the most recent iteration of Centenary’s student publications, saw its final issue in April 2019. It featured regular sections about campus news, faculty/staff profiles, sports, movie and music reviews, editorials, Greek life, fashion trends, crossword puzzles and jokes.

“It breaks my heart that we do not have a student newspaper. Your voice is important,” said Bain. “Student newspapers are having a moment.”

As the Experiential Writing students combed through the archives, they brainstormed various feature sections for their forthcoming publication. These sections may include campus news, profiles of faculty/staff, sports, Student Government Association, community service, Greek life, book reviews, literary columns, movie reviews, music, arts and entertainment, silly debates, and cartooning.

Zatta’s class, using resources from Centenary’s journalistic history, will be working on creating a new student newspaper throughout the fall 2023 semester. 

Centenary’s library archives are open to all students interested in booking a tour reservation with Bain.