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The Seahawk Celebrates 75!
Amelia McNeese ’24 reflects on student journalism past, present and future.
As the editor for The Seahawk, celebrating 75 years of our publication’s existence is not just a milestone; it is a testament to the enduring spirit of journalism and community.
Having a role that contributes to years of student journalism is both an honor and responsibility. There is a strong sense of pride in being part of a publication with such a rich history.
The Seahawk has been a voice of our university, recording its triumphs, challenges and evolution. Each issue builds a chapter in our institution’s story, and as editor, I am proud to have a role in shaping this chapter of our campus narrative.
As we celebrate our past, we must look forward to the future. Journalism is an ever-evolving field, shaped by technological advancement, shifts and trends in reader preferences, and societal changes. As editor, I strive to honor the past while embracing innovation, ensuring The Seahawk remains relevant and impactful for students.
Celebrating 75 years also provides a unique opportunity for reflection. We look back on the journalists who came before us, whose dedication and passion paved the way for our success. We remember the stories that resonated with readers, the investigations that sparked change, and the moments of community connection that define our publication.
But perhaps most importantly, celebrating 75 years of The Seahawk is a celebration of community. Journalism is ultimately about serving our readers, giving voice to the voiceless, and holding power to account. As editor, I am humbled by the trust our readers place in us. With our dedicated team of writers, editors, photographers, contributors and everyone behind the scenes who makes the work we do possible, we strive to give you thorough and researched articles to produce compelling stories that you will want to read.
At The Seahawk, we believe in the power of student journalism to foster understanding through inquisitive pursuits, offer each student a voice in their paper and tell the stories that unite our local and campus communities. No matter the story, we strive to represent what UNCW means to us.
The Seahawk Through the Years
One year after Wilmington College was founded, the first issue of The Seahawk was published on Sep. 27, 1948, featuring four-pages of typed articles with hand-drawn headlines. The Seahawk is likely one of the two oldest student organizations at UNCW still in existence— the other being the Student Government Association. Since its inception, The Seahawk has been entirely student-run. For most of those years, The Seahawk was published weekly in print. Similar to the newspaper industry at large, The Seahawk and its advertising were disrupted by the digital revolution, forcing it to cease its print edition in spring 2019. Its online edition debuted in November 2000. Today TheSeahawk.org is an award-winning, online news outlet with more readers than ever before.
