Indiana Wesleyan Student Paper Goes Digital

From Indiana Wesleyan University:


By Jared Johnson (sr) and Navar Watson (jr)

Every other Wednesday, the editors of The Sojourn cram into a stuffy little room and make the paper happen. Several pieces of The Sojourn memorabilia decorate the walls of this room, including a giant $200 JK! check; two cross-stitch pictures of American Indians; a crucifix and a dry erase board full of amusing quotes from slap-happy staff members.

But also included in this room of memories is a heavy archive of Indiana Wesleyan University’s student newspapers, ranging as far back as 1941 with the Marion College Journal.

Every now and then (when procrastinating on work), we take a peek at old editions — mainly from the years we were born — and read the top stories of the day.

As we look at these past newspapers, brittle and yellowed with age, we think about the effort all the student journalists before us put forth in making the print product.

We never thought that we, after 74-plus years of a paper product, would be the staff that puts together the last print edition.

But this isn’t an ending. It’s the closing of a chapter, and the start of something new.

Beginning in the fall, The Sojourn’s coverage will move completely online. This is a trend many professional news outlets are turning to, as article traffic becomes more and more online-dominated.

We believe this change will allow us to get more articles out, and quicker, since writers will be aiming to finish their articles as soon as possible, rather than by the time the print edition is released.

This is all a part of the ONE (Online News Exchange) Newsroom initiative, in which The Sojourn will merge with GrantCOnnected.net, another online news outlet launched by Dr. Randall King’s Convergent Journalism class last fall.

GrantCOnnected.net will focus on stories in Grant County outside of the residential campus, while The Sojourn will remain dedicated to covering IWU’s campus.

With the two online publications operating in one combined newsroom, staff members will be able to write for either outlet. IWU’s radio and television stations, 94.3 The Fortress and WIWU-TV, will also collaborate with ONE staff.

We have enjoyed our time with the print edition, and we hope you stick with us as we venture into this new format.
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