Welcome to the hot, and the cool . . . the summer Daily

Tim Frerking

It’s a new semester, with new classes, new students, new friends and a few new professors. But the Daily is still around as it has been since 1890, when it was called the IAC Student (Iowa Agriculture College). So in honor of this achievement, we’ve decided to add “Since 1890” to our logo, as witnessed on the front page.

The Daily’s history might even be traced back before 1890 if one takes into account a student news sheet known as the Clipper, but formal recognition from university officials came in 1890 when the publishers of the Clipper began the IAC Student, which was published every two weeks. It was first printed by the Ames Intelligencer and later by other organizations, including the folks across town at The Daily Tribune. Now the paper is printed in Webster City.

This newspaper has gone through many changes since 1890. In 1898 it became the ISC Student when this institution became known as Iowa State College. In 1900, the newspaper converted to a twice-a-week publishing cycle — just as we are doing this summer. You will find Daily newspapers sitting in the boxes near your classes every Tuesday and Thursday, waiting to be read. (If nothing else, at least it has a crossword puzzle and a damn horoscope.)

Publication began three times a week on Sept. 11, 1914. The big conversion came in March 1938 when the Student became a daily publication and switched its name to the Iowa State Daily Student. The use of the current name Iowa State Daily came into effect on Sept. 22, 1947, after the editors decided the newspaper’s name should reflect its expanded coverage of state, national and international news.

This summer the Daily is reflecting that fact by having a reporter in Washington, D.C., to bring students coverage of issues that affect them. Tracy Lucht, a senior in journalism and mass communication, is studying this summer at Georgetown University, and while she’s there she’s going to write stories for the Daily. Not many student papers can say they have a reporter in Washington, D.C.

Summertime at the Daily is often a time of transition. The editor in chief of the summer Daily is the overseer of this transition, from old to new. He or she is responsible for helping new reporters — names which will dot the Daily for the coming school year — to learn journalism and help the new editors learn editing.

This summer’s editors are a mix of experienced Daily people and fresh new faces. Corey Moss, the man, is doing double duty as managing editor and A&E editor. By the way, we switched “Lifestyles” to “Arts & Entertainment” because: What the hell is “lifestyles” supposed to mean? We decided we liked the straightforward approach of “Arts & Entertainment.”

Teresa Haberer is the head news editor. She was a hard-working reporter last semester and she will be the faculty/staff editor when the fall edition starts up. Carolyn Kapaska, last-year’s Faculty Senate reporter, is a news editor, and her parter Tabitha Kinser, a completely new face at the office, is the other news editor.

Rhaason Mitchell, last semester’s police reporter, is now the opinion editor. He will be managing editor in the fall. Chad Calek is still the sports editor, but this semester will be his last so that means he won’t “talk later.” Brendan Greiner, the photography genius who took the comet photo, is the photo editor.

This transition means a change of color, and the color of the paper for this summer is purple. Why? Because I like purple, OK. After all, I remember the words of Chris Miller, former editor in chief: “There are no sacred Daily cows.”

In addition, Keesia Wirt, who will be the fall editor in chief, and I are working on redesigning the paper. Hopefully, sometime during this summer we will have the new flag (that area at the top of the front page) in place. We are still in the design stage. We are waiting for my sister to finish her new rendering of the Campanile. I think the current one on the front resembles a crayon.

The Daily will also be sharing news stories and opinion columns with other student newspapers through a service called Campus Press Service. This service also provides us with the crossword puzzle and the “ever-so-accurate” Linda Black horoscopes. I’m a pisces and today is 6, but I think today is a 10 because my girlfriend, Aymi, is returning from Ireland after three weeks. (Yay!)

The Daily has also hired cartoonists. Carmen Cerra, a man who achieved fame through the letters he wrote to the Daily throughout last year, is drawing political cartoons. Martin Osam is drawing a comic strip title “The Adventures of Bob,” a tale about a not-so-ordinary, ordinary guy.

We’ve even rearranged our newsroom. Everything is going smoothly except for the phone systems. If we can ever get the phones working straight, it will be a miracle.

Well, enjoy your summer Iowa State Daily. I’ll be happier as soon as Aymi returns tonight.


Tim Frerking is a senior in journalism and mass communication from Pomeroy. He is editor in chief of the Daily.