As Florida’s oldest collegiate publication, The Reporter has a long and storied history of service and partnership with Stetson University. Interestingly, though, very few Hatters are familiar with this integral part of our history. So, before I bow out of these hallowed halls for good, I made it my mission to take a trip through our archives and condense our thousands of publications for your viewing pleasure. Let’s take a walk.
1887 – DeLand Collegiate Vol. 1. No. 4
The oldest surviving publication (that I could find) dates back to 1887, a mere four years after Stetson’s founding. Allow me to do the math for you; that makes our organization a whopping 136 years old at the time of this issue’s release. Back then we were called the DeLand Collegiate, and we printed a new issue each month. The editor-in-chief at the time was “Miss Lizzie Webb,” and an annual subscription would run you 50 cents.
This particular edition featured a story about the much anticipated upcoming break. “The approaching vacation is hailed with joy by the students, who have been poring over their books for so many weary months… What picnics, fishing parties and boating excursions are in reserve for us! And above all, how much time we editors will have for sleep and peaceful dreams in which the business manager will not appear asking for more manuscript!!”
1902 – Stetson Weekly Collegiate Volume XII. Number 7
As the updated name would suggest, we began publishing new issues weekly around this time. This administration was led by co-editor-in-chiefs Elizabeth Winegar and Louise McKinney. Subscription prices jumped to a dollar, and a Stetson-themed cartoon and ad followed the title page of new releases.
In addition to student-centered news, poems and cartoonish drawings were also printed. We boasted an impressive sports section back then, and we took care to provide comprehensive summaries of recent scholastic events. Interestingly, our school’s seal was embossed on the front pages.
1986- The Stetson Distorter Vol. 3, No. 1
This marked the first of many special satiric editions that would be released annually, on April Fools Day. It was entirely composed of phony articles meant to surprise and humor its readership. Even the name was a riff on the updated title of our organization: The Reporter.
This edition had articles like “Pope’s Pub to Be Opening Soon” and “Elections Said To Be Fixed.” The tradition was carried on (with a few years skipped along the way) until 2016, which itself featured a tasteful collection of memes and a jorts breakdown. That year (2016) also marked the pivotal moment where The Reporter moved its format from traditional newspapers to magazines.
2022- The Reporter Issue IV
The last edition that our previous administration produced, and the first where our current administration took a bigger role in production. At the time, it was a headache, plain and simple. We started our transition into more investigative topics here, and swiftly learned that our infrastructure needed to be updated to accommodate that. But despite the schools attempted censorship and a slough of challenges along the way, this issue tackled some important topics that students really care about, and for that (and our determination to stick it out), we can be proud.
Looking back on our organization’s long and storied history fills me with pride. We have survived over a century of trials and we have overcome obstacles the likes of which few are privy to. I am honored to have had the opportunity to contribute to its legacy, and am equally as excited to see how it evolves and grows once I’m good and gone. So, rejoice Hatters! The Reporter is as integral a part of our school’s history as the school itself. We’ve been serving this community almost as long as it’s existed, and we’ll continue to pursue that mission for decades to come.
