Trailblazer staffers, l-r, Emma Culver, Amber Taylor and Joshua Smith unveil the newspaper's new logo.

February 18, 2025

VINCENNES, Ind. – The Trailblazer has been a cornerstone of student journalism at Vincennes University since its founding a century ago. On Monday, Feb. 17, the College of Social Science, Performing Arts, and Communication hosted Honoring a Century of Journalism, marking 100 years of the award-winning student newspaper.

The event celebrated The Trailblazer's rich history, contributions to journalism, and lasting impact on the University Community. As part of the centennial celebration, VU unveiled a newly designed logo for The Trailblazer, created by VU Graphic Design Occupational major Caroline Booe of Brazil, Indiana. She was one of many VU students studying graphic design who submitted logo designs.

The revamped logo, which leans into the University's flame logo, pays tribute to The Trailblazer's legacy and journalists' roles as torchbearers of truth and freedom of the press.

VU Assistant Professor of Journalism Jenny McNeece said, "Journalism plays a crucial role in society, and freedom of the press is paramount. For a century, The Trailblazer has amplified the voices of Vincennes University students and provided them with hands-on experience in journalism while keeping VU students, faculty, staff, alumni, and the greater community informed. This milestone is a testament to the dedication of generations of VU journalism faculty and student journalists. This celebration honors The Trailblazer's past, and the new logo represents the next chapter in The Trailblazer's history. We are excited to see what the future holds."

VU students studying Journalism and Photojournalism can gain real-world experience by creating content for The Trailblazer as early as their first semester. Aspiring journalists develop their writing, editing, photography, and reporting skills. Like other news organizations, the newspaper has evolved, transitioning from a traditional print publication distributed every three weeks to an online newspaper with regular updates.

Current Trailblazer staffer Emma Culver of Washington, Indiana, reflected on the newspaper's legacy and looks forward to its continued success. Culver, '24 Journalism and '25 Public Relations and Communication, says being a part of this new era of The Trailblazer is inspiring.

Culver said, "This is a pivotal moment. Journalism has been at VU for a century. It's so important and crucial to have a journalism department and a newspaper for a university, a town, a community, a city, and a country. Everyone needs news, and it is very important for people to know what is going on especially from student voices. I have never been so driven in my life about something as much as I have been with writing for The Trailblazer. You get to do so many different things. If students or anyone is looking into journalism, get out there and explore it."

There is more excitement to come for the publication. A special print edition of The Trailblazer is expected this spring, with more issues likely in the fall semester of 2025 and beyond.

To read The Trailblazer, visit vutrailblazernews.com.

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