I was looking through old newspapers from our vast archives to find ones to display at our 100th anniversary celebration and I began to think about the legacy of The Johnsonian and all of those who had come before us to begin the legacy and those who will come after us to continue the legacy.
For 100 years, this paper has been a constant on Winthrop’s campus. The Johnsonian has been there as a steady and reliable source for campus news, opinions, local news, features on those in our campus and surrounding community, national news, sports and so much more.
For 100 years, this paper has reported on major national news such as 9/11, the Challenger explosion, Hurricanes Katrina and Hugo, among many others. This paper has managed to localize these stories so that the impact of these events are made personal to the Winthrop and Rock Hill community.
For 100 years, this paper has held the university accountable for incidents of sexual assaults, budget and position cuts, conditions of residence halls, Title IX cases, presidential scandals and more.
I wonder what the Winthrop community would look like without this paper. I think so much would have gone unnoticed and swept under the rug if The Johnsonian had not been there to report.
I am deeply honored to have been chosen to carry on the prestigious legacy that The Johnsonian entails and to see the paper through its 100th year. But I know I would not be here and the paper would not have survived without those who led and contributed before me.
To the countless staff members and advisors who have served before me, I simply say thank you. Thank you for ensuring that the paper continued to survive and for playing a role in the honored legacy that this paper holds.
As we come upon our 100th year, I have realized that the current staff stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. We would not be here without them. Without their impact, service and dedication to the paper and to Winthrop, we would not have the opportunity to continue to live up to the standards set by previous members.
I have come to realize the deep honor that comes with working on The Johnsonian. It is an honor to be selected to serve on the paper and through the paper, provide the service of knowledge and information to the community.
I have also come to realize the passion that all staff members, past, present and future have for the idea of journalism and free press and for providing that to those around us . And the passion that goes into crafting the stories and editions that are printed weekly. This passion is what is at the core of this newspaper and what allows it to continue to thrive.
To the Winthrop community, it has been our staff’s highest honor to be able to serve you for the past 100 years. It is my hope that we are able to continue to serve you for the next 100 years.
It is my hope that this paper continues not only to survive, but that it thrives. I hope that its legacy stays as memorable and important as it has been. I hope that it is never forgotten and that it continues to grow and increase in its ability to reach as many people as possible.
But one thing that we all must remember is that we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Without them, we would not exist and it is to them that I and the rest of my staff extend our heartfelt thanks for allowing us to continue the legacy of The Johnsonian.
Happy 100 years TJ. May you continue to impact those around you. I am forever grateful to be a part of your legacy.
Sincerely,
Marley Bassett, the centennial editor-in-chief
