According to Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts — a band of adventurers and warriors — set out in search of the Golden Fleece in 1300 B.C.
While the tale of Jason and the Argonauts might not resonate with popular culture now, it apparently caught the attention of a few curious students at the University of Idaho in 1898. But those few students were not searching for magic fleece. Rather, they sought to publish the truth about the university and the community around them.
These students, lovers of storytelling and facts, largely shaped what you’re reading right now.
The Argonaut — UI’s student-produced newspaper — has gone through some changes in the last 120 years. You can see it in the way “The Argonaut” logo has changed nearly 40 times during this period, or in the ways the staff shifted from largely male to a pretty diverse group of young journalists. You can see these shifts in our change from print journalism to the internet and adoption of social media.
Perhaps, most obviously, you’ll notice The Argonaut has changed right along with journalism everywhere.
When we think of journalism in 2018, the response often lends to the words “fake news” or “failing.” And even though much of our staff only knows their future journalism career with a negative connotation attached, we still know student newsrooms are more important than ever.
The strong foundation of seeking the truth, and reporting diligently and passionately, begins surrounded by other students. For us, it begins on the Third Floor of the Bruce Pitman Center every day.
Of all the reasons we go to college, most important is what we engage in outside the classroom. For hundreds of students over the past 120 years, that means toting around a reporter’s notebook and feeling the thrill of a tight deadline.
Aside from the educational value, near strangers become friends in our newsroom. As long as the lights still shine in Room 302 each Wednesday evening, it’s not just blank pages turning into newsprint, but coworkers turning into family.
None of this, however, would be possible without our readers. Sometimes our readers change every four years, and often they stick with us for life.
Thanks to technology and a want for passionate student-journalism, it is our hope to continue providing you with the work we do for years to come.
Typewriters turned into laptops. Coffee pots turned into Starbucks orders. And print largely turned into a screen in our office.
However, some things will always stay the same: our love for journalism that matters to you, our readers.
No matter what changes come our way, we will be here for you in another 120 years — just like you’ve been here for us since 1898.
— Jason (HS)