The Dartmouth

The Dartmouth. It is the oldest college newspaper in the United States and the second-oldest continuously published student periodical in the nation, following the Yale Literary Magazine. Founded in 1799 as a weekly, it has served as the independent, student-run daily newspaper of Dartmouth College, providing comprehensive coverage of the Ivy League institution and the surrounding Upper Valley region. The publication is renowned for its rigorous journalism, having launched the careers of numerous prominent figures in media, law, and public service, and remains a primary source of news for the Hanover, New Hampshire community.

History

The newspaper traces its origins to a literary journal established in 1799, with its first daily edition published in 1839 under the name *The Dartmouth*. Throughout the 19th century, it chronicled significant events at the college, including debates over the Dartmouth College Case, a landmark decision argued before the Supreme Court of the United States by alumnus Daniel Webster. In the 20th century, it expanded its scope, reporting on world events such as World War II and the Vietnam War from a campus perspective. The paper transitioned to full independence from college administration in the 1960s, a period of significant student activism across the Ivy League. Key historical moments covered include the coeducation of Dartmouth College in 1972 and the 1999 celebration of its bicentennial, which featured addresses by notable alumni like former United States Secretary of the Treasury Robert Rubin.

Campus and facilities

The primary editorial and business offices are located in Robinson Hall, a historic building on the Dartmouth College campus near the Dartmouth Green. This location places it at the heart of student activity, adjacent to key administrative buildings like Parkhurst Hall and academic centers such as Baker-Berry Library. The facility houses modern publishing equipment and serves as a training ground for student journalists. Its proximity to other student organizations, including the Dartmouth Outing Club and the Dartmouth Aires, fosters a collaborative environment. The newspaper's operations are entirely managed by students, who work alongside professional advisors, maintaining a tradition of hands-on learning in journalism and business management within the context of a major Ivy League institution.

Academics and student life

Staff members are typically undergraduates from a wide array of academic disciplines, though many participate in programs like the Dartmouth College Department of English or the John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding. The newspaper plays a central role in campus discourse, covering events ranging from Dartmouth College presidential inaugurations and debates hosted by the Dartmouth Political Union to performances by the Hopkins Center for the Arts and athletic contests against rivals like Harvard University and Yale University. It provides critical reporting on student government through the Dartmouth Student Government and on the activities of the Dartmouth College Greek system. This coverage deeply integrates with the academic calendar, including traditions such as Dartmouth Winter Carnival and Homecoming.

Notable alumni and faculty

The publication has served as a formative training ground for many distinguished individuals. Renowned alumni include television journalist and former host of NBC's *Meet the Press* Tim Russert, Pulitzer Prize-winning historian and professor David McCullough, and former United States Secretary of Labor Robert Reich. Influential media figures like former *The New York Times* executive editor Howell Raines and novelist Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel) also contributed during their time at Dartmouth College. Faculty and administrative figures who have been subjects of coverage or contributors include former college president John Sloan Dickey and mathematician-turned-author John Kemeny, a co-creator of the BASIC programming language.

Publications and media

The primary product is a daily print edition distributed across campus and in Hanover, New Hampshire, complemented by a robust digital presence at its website. Special annual issues include the prestigious *Aegis* yearbook, which it formerly published, and comprehensive guides for incoming students. The organization has won numerous awards from collegiate press associations. Its investigative work and editorial stance often generate significant discussion within the Ivy League and broader higher education community, influencing discourse at peer institutions like Princeton University and Columbia University. The paper maintains a complete digital archive, preserving its historical record for researchers at institutions like the Dartmouth College Library. Category:Student newspapers published in New Hampshire Category:Dartmouth College