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Chronicle Celebrates 100 Years

Student newspaper continues to play key campus role

In her first few months as editor of The Chronicle, junior Karen Hauptman has overseen coverage of an unrelenting stream of news, including a new president, a new chancellor for health affairs, a new nursing dean, a new dean for arts and sciences, a national election and the Palestine Solidarity Movement conference.

"We've lucked out with news this year," Hauptman said.

It's fitting that change and controversy are in the air this fall because The Chronicle is commemorating its 100th anniversary. To recognize this momentous occasion, the paper is running periodic news articles about defining moments in the university's history.

In addition, dozens of Chronicle alums will return to campus this weekend for a celebration that will feature panel discussions, career networking and a party at Duke Gardens.

The centennial has inspired introspection on the part of the 100 student volunteers who make up the editorial staff. It is a rare opportunity, Hauptman said, for the students to momentarily ignore deadline to consider the paper's role in the university's development and growth. The paper's first issue appeared, in fact, before Duke was Duke “ the weekly Trinity Chronicle was first published at Trinity College on Dec. 19, 1905.

 "As The Chronicle is the news of record for Duke, we have a unique place because we are setting the agenda for the dialogue," Hauptman said. "If we're doing our job right, it's being carried off our pages to dorms and cafeterias."

The Chronicle's coverage has enlivened campus debate about the upcoming Palestine Solidarity Movement conference. The paper has written numerous stories about the conference, covering the details as well as reactions of faculty members and students.

Its editorial pages are brimming with letters, columns and editorials. The Chronicle's staff editorials praised President Richard H. Brodhead's decision to allow the conference, as well as encouraged student groups on each side to continue to promote education and dialogue.

"The amount of feedback we've gotten suggests we're doing well in generating dialogue," Hauptman said. "When I look at the feedback we've gotten, it seems to be moving forward and not just nitpicking."

See University Archives Exhibit on Chronicle here.