On October 27, several generations of Argonaut editors back from the 60s to today discussed the importance of the Argonaut newspaper in its 125 years of existence, moderated by Professor Kenton Bird, of the School of Journalism and Mass Media.
Former sports editor of The Argonaut and University of Idaho JAMM professor Don Shelton hosted the panel asking participants their accomplishments, advice, and overall feelings of the argonaut news. Every generation had an overall mutual feeling on their time spent here at UI and working for the Argonaut. They felt a sense of community with potential life-long friendships.
“It was really more of a lifestyle than an activity, there was a rhythm to the deadlines and people you would encounter,” said Cathy Barner, former editor and chief in 1979.
“The Argonaut is still a lifestyle that I continue to live in my current job,” said Anteia McCollum, former editor and chief of The Argonaut in 2021. “Which is probably why I love my job so much and have so many connections to both learn and rely on.”
Some accomplishments were shared as well. 1971 editor-and-chief Micheal Kirk shared his accomplishments as editor in a new decade.
“It was a time for change at the University of Idaho and change at the newspaper too …It was an opportunity for the newspaper to act like an actual newspaper,” Kirk explained. “We got rid of a lot of the rules of how it would lay out, we played with the graphics, we ran cartoons, we ran abortion and anti-abortions ads, we did everything we could do to make it a community square.”
McCollum also shared her work as she was able to turn the Argonaut from a fully printed news outlet to a digital format as well.
“It required a whole restructure of the newsroom; it required a whole new restructure of the way we write our news and publish our news and how we give it to the students.”
The last words of the participants were advice to the students who want to pursue a career in journalism, writing or just getting a job after college.
“Get as much practical experience as you can,” Barner advised. “Classroom work is good and fine in learning, but you have to learn how to apply it, get as much experience now so that you can take it with you when you go for a job?”
To highlight 125 years of the Argonaut news UI put together a display of past photos and papers including the very first printed paper from November of 1898. The display was held on the second floor of the library on campus called the Quasquicentennial which stands for the 125th anniversary of the Argonaut.
Sophia Newell can be reached at [email protected]