A celebration of 138 years of student journalism brought together Daily Collegian leaders and staff and enthusiastic alumni on campus on Friday, April 25.
As a dynamic, independent news organization, the Collegian covers history and makes history, Editor in Chief Amy Schafer and Business Manager Zachary O’Brien said in their welcoming remarks. Keynote speaker Bob Buday looked to the future with his presentation, “Happy Birthday, Daily Collegian! And advice from our research on how to have 138 more.”
The anniversary event at the Nittany Lion Inn was sponsored by Penn State Student Media, which includes the Daily Collegian, PSN-TV, The Lion 90.7 FM, Centre County Report and CommRadio. The consortium allows “student media entities to share resources and run more efficiently while retaining editorial independence as they seek combined financial support from the Student Fee Board at the University,” according to its website.
Penn State Student Media organizations are currently collaborating on a far-reaching project about hazing at Penn State.
Buday encouraged such collaboration in his keynote presentation. Collegian alumni Buday and Bill Guthlein are the authors of a 2024 report, “Whither the College News Organization?,” a study of best practices of college news organizations across the nation. Buday also stressed his conviction that a digital path is the one for success.
“We think there are substantial opportunities for all college media,” Buday said. “You all must now become digital media innovators. You have the skills, and you have the tools to do this.”
Buday challenged Collegian staffers to “reinvent” themselves and set aside competition among the student news organizations.
Jonathon Chiu, a freshman general assignment reporter, agreed with Buday’s remarks.
“Pooling resources, they would be greater together than they are apart,” the print and digital journalism and cybersecurity dual major student said. “This world is becoming more and more digital every day. I get it. It’s a different avenue to tell the same story.”
Every birthday party needs a cake.
1 Comment
Glenda Gephart · at
The 138th birthday party was a a good event. Congratulations to the current staff and their advisors for keeping it going! And hats off to Bob Buday and Bill Guthlein for their work to support the continued success of the Collegian and other student news organizations across the nation.
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