Loyola Marymount University celebrates 100 years of award-winning news from The Los Angeles Loyolan, the first historical mark of this kind for an LMU student organization. In February 1923, Loyola College published the first issue of its student newspaper under the name The Los Angeles Loyolan, beginning a century-long publication.
This historic student-run newspaper has received both Gold or Silver Crown awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association in each of the past seven years. The CSPA, an international student press association founded in 1925, unites student journalists and faculty advisers at schools and colleges through educational conferences, idea exchanges, textbooks, critiques, and award programs. Other honors over the years include:
- Pacemaker Awards from the Associated Collegiate Press – The Loyolan has received four Pacemaker awards: in 2018-19 was the first time for its online presence, and general excellence in 2013-14, 2011-12, and 2010-11;
- Multiple Gold Circle Awards from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association;
- Second Place in 2018-19 for Overall Best University Student Publication, Catholic Press Association;
- Multiple awards from the California College Media Association;
- Los Angeles Press Club presented two National Arts and Entertainment Journalism Awards and one Los Angeles Press Club Award to the Loyolan staff, including second place for Best College News Website.
“Whether you work on the Loyolan, love the Loyolan, or hate it, most people on campus have an opinion about it,” said Tom Nelson, director of Student Media who has served for almost 20 years overseeing The Loyolan, ROAR Studios, and The Tower Yearbook. “And that’s OK. In fact, that’s the point. The Loyolan allows students – but also the campus community at large – to have a space to share opinions, agree, disagree, whatever … and for people to know that The Loyolan is willing to stand for free expression and will support and even encourage unpopular opinions to be shared, debated and discussed. That’s a critical role to play on a college campus, especially in a society so polarized.” He sees The Loyolan as a central part of the LMU student experience.
Nelson said that he wishes he had had the foresight to capture all of the ups and downs of running a student newspaper by keeping a journal. “If I had to pick one, it’s something I share with students to this day, is to always try to keep top of mind that being a student journalist at The Loyolan, as well as a member of the LMU community, means being part of something larger than yourself.”
For the next few weeks, student journalists at The Loyolan are also reaching out to all living past editors in chief to interview them as they reflect and share their stories from their time leading the paper. Some notable ones include:
Liz Henderson Amend ’73 became The Loyolan’s first female editor in chief. Amend often found herself thinking, “They’re giving me a hard time. Is it because I’m not doing my job very well or is it because they don’t think women should be doing it?” At points, Amend describes her time at the newspaper as being “on parade” because she was often asked to speak with male leaders and investors at the institution to help convince them to accept a coeducation model. For Amend, there are two ways to respond to disrespect and patronization: “shut up” or stand up for yourself and what you believe in. She always chose the latter. Amend worked hard to prove that women not only belong on the bluff but also in positions of power. The long line of female editors in chief that have since led the Loyolan is a testament to her success. Read Amend’s story.
Fred Taugher ’61 was editor in chief in an era before the Loyola University and Marymount College merger. He led the all-male news staff to uphold the content of the paper as a trusted news source and it would be the privilege Taugher had in his role that would help launch his political career. “Generally, if I would walk into the Student Union on Monday when the paper was distributed, I’d see most people in the dining hall reading it,” said Taugher. Taugher later worked in the California State Assembly, as the chief administrative officer for 10 years and from there went on to start his own political firm with at one point employing eight lobbyists supporting 40 to 50. Read Taugher’s story.
The William H. Hannon library is currently hosting an exhibition featuring the front pages of The Loyolan throughout the years. Hanging from the third floor to the first is a celebratory banner displaying each of The Loyolan’s logos dating back to 1923. Watch this video to view the banner and hear a few words from Molly Box ’22, centennial editor for The Loyolan.
To mark this momentous occasion, LMU is inviting Loyolan alumni to return to the bluff starting on Friday, Sept. 30, through Sunday, Oct. 2. The weekend includes a happy hour, a centennial celebration and reception dinner, and a send-off brunch to conclude the festivities. Learn more about the alumni celebration here.
