The Daily Evergreen

The Daily Evergreen The Daily Evergreen is the student newspaper of Washington State University, published in Pullman, Washington. It serves as a primary news source for the WSU campus, surrounding Pullman community, and regional audiences, covering university administration, student life, athletics, and local events. The paper has functioned as a training ground for journalists and media professionals, interacting with national outlets and institutions.

History

Founded in 1895 during the early years of Washington State College, the paper emerged alongside institutions such as Washington State University and the land-grant movement influenced by the Morrill Act. Early iterations paralleled student publications at University of Washington, Oregon State University, and University of Idaho. Through the 20th century the paper reported on events tied to World War I, World War II, the Great Depression, and campus responses to the Civil Rights Movement, the Vietnam War, and the Watergate scandal. Editorial leadership navigated relationships with administrations influenced by figures linked to the Board of Regents (Washington State University), while covering milestones like expansion of the WSU Pullman campus, the arrival of programs affiliated with the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, and the development of regional partnerships with institutions such as Gonzaga University and Idaho State University. The paper adapted to technological shifts from hot lead typesetting to offset lithography and desktop publishing, reflecting broader transitions marked by companies like IBM, Adobe Systems, and Apple Inc.. During the digital era it established online presence amid competition from outlets including The New York Times, The Seattle Times, and wire services like Associated Press.

Operations and Content

Editorial operations have historically combined newsroom roles—editors, reporters, photographers—with business functions including advertising sales and distribution logistics interacting with vendors such as FedEx and local printers. Content spans news, features, opinion, sports, arts and culture, and multimedia coverage of events involving entities like Pac-12 Conference athletics, performances at the Byrd Theatre, lectures featuring scholars from Harvard University and Stanford University, and political visits by figures associated with United States Senate, the Office of the Governor of Washington, and national campaigns. Reporting has included investigative pieces on campus policy, faculty hiring linked to professional organizations like the American Association of University Professors, and coverage of student organizations affiliated with Student Government and national groups such as American Civil Liberties Union and Planned Parenthood. The paper’s multimedia initiatives have incorporated video, podcasting, social media strategies engaging platforms founded by Mark Zuckerberg and companies like Twitter, Inc. and YouTube (Google), and collaboration with journalism programs at institutions including University of Missouri and the Poynter Institute.

Campus and Community Role

Serving the Pullman campus and the Palouse region, the newspaper reports on developments at university units such as the College of Agricultural, Human, and Natural Resource Sciences, the College of Veterinary Medicine, and the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine. It covers local government activity in the City of Pullman and events connected to nearby communities like Moscow, Idaho and Spokane, Washington. The paper has partnered with campus entities including Greek life organizations, the WSU Alumni Association, and student media like KZUU radio. Coverage frequently intersects with regional institutions such as the Palouse Economic Development Council, cultural venues like the Giorgio Morandi-inspired exhibits at university galleries, and statewide initiatives involving the Washington State Legislature and the Washington State Department of Health. Through town-gown reporting the publication has documented issues such as campus housing, transit projects tied to providers like Greyhound Lines and Amtrak, and public health topics during outbreaks referenced by agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Notable Alumni and Contributors

Alumni have gone on to careers at major news organizations, government, and industry. Former writers and editors have worked at The New York Times, The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg L.P., NPR, Reuters, Associated Press, USA Today, and CNN. Contributors include journalists who later held roles at The Seattle Times, The Oregonian, The Boston Globe, and broadcast outlets like NBC News and ABC News. Some graduates pursued academia at institutions such as Columbia University and University of California, Berkeley, while others entered public service in offices including the United States Congress and state executive branches. Notable alumni have received fellowships and positions from organizations like the Pulitzer Prize Board, the Knight Foundation, the Smithsonian Institution, and professional societies such as the Society of Professional Journalists.

Awards and Recognition

The paper and its staff have earned awards from collegiate journalism organizations including the Society of Professional Journalists and the College Media Association. Coverage has been cited by regional outlets such as The Spokesman-Review and national services including the Associated Press. Staff have been finalists and winners for honors administered by the Pulitzer Prize committees, the Hearst Journalism Awards Program, and the College Audio/Video News Association. Special reporting series have been recognized for investigative and public service journalism in contests sponsored by foundations like the Knight Foundation and training institutions such as the Poynter Institute.

Category:Student newspapers in Washington (state)