After 80 years in print, TrevEchoes goes fully digital

By Michelle Loria Alvarado

Executive Editor

After 80 years in print and 15 years of publishing online, the TrevEchoes will now move to an entirely digital format, concluding its long-running monthly print edition.

“We want to serve the community better, and I think we can do that by moving to more of a fully online [platform],” said Jo Ellen Werking Weedman, assistant professor of communication studies and the faculty advisor of the TrevEhoes.

TrevEchoes began publishing in print in 1944 as a student club.

In 2008, Werking Weedman established the multimedia journalism academic program, which she said transformed TrevEchoes into a more professional publication by following the Society of Professional Journalists ethical code and the Associated press stylebook. Two years later, in 2010, it launched its online publication. Both the print and online publication have won more than 40 awards from the Tennessee Associated Press.

“What we are most proud of is that we have transitioned from a student club into a professional publication that does actual news on campus,” said Werking Weedman. “This next chapter is part of that evolution to be a professional training ground for student journalists and a way to provide faster and more relevant news and information to our campus community.”

As the academic journalism program has grown, Werking Weedman said she also wanted to provide more leadership opportunities for students. By not spending money on printing each month, the student newspaper is able to employe more editors and writers.

“We’ve always worked in partnership with the Center for Student Development and I’m grateful for their support in funding our budget and providing leadership development opportunities for our editors,” she said. “The folks in student development know this is an important opportunity for our students and that the university is best served by a student newspaper with high professional standards.”

TrevEchoes leaders say they are excited about the change and the new opportunities that will come with it.

“A big deciding factor of getting rid of the print was due to the digital age we are living in,” said Lauren Steinbrook, TrevEchoes news and engagement editor. “We wanted to reach the most amount of students, bring up our engagement, and make new possibilities to make our program grow in the future.”

Focusing on the online format will give students more opportunities to tell stories with different kinds of media.

“You’re going to see a lot more video. We are very likely going to be able to introduce a podcast on the website, and we’re going to have so much more room for photos,” said Werking Weedman.

Despite the excitement this evolution brings to the staff, some student readers are not happy with the change.

“I will still read the articles, but I don’t think I will have the same level of excitement because there’s just something about the physical paper you can’t get with reading online media,” said Hayden Jordan, a senior history major.

This shift in format will not change the TrevEchoes’ mission, said Steinbrook. Students will still be able to enjoy their regular content, just in a different format, she said.

“We are not changing who we are just because we’re going fully online, we’re just switching our medium and expanding our creativity,” said Steinbrook.

With these changes, TrevEchoes will also be more active on social media, and its readers can sign up for a newsletter at TrevEchoes Online.