Columbia Missourian

Columbia Missourian
	November 8, 2015 edition
Type	Daily newspaper
Format	Print and digital
Owner(s)	Missourian Publishing Association
Publisher	Dean David Kurpius
Editor	Elizabeth Stephens
Managing editor	Jeanne Abbott
General manager	Bryan Chester
News editor	Fred Anklam, Elizabeth Brixey, Gordon Dickson, Mark Horvit, Laura Johnston, Ron Stodghill, Scott Swafford
Opinion editor	Jeanne Abbott
Sports editor	Pete Bland
Photo editor	Brian Kratzer
Founded	1908
Language	English
Headquarters	221 S. Eighth Street; Columbia, Missouri 65201
Circulation	4,825
ISSN	0747-1874
OCLC number	10632065
Website	columbiamissourian.com

The Columbia Missourian is a digital-first newspaper based in Columbia, Missouri, published online seven days a week and in print five days a week. The newspaper is affiliated with the Missouri School of Journalism, and is owned as a 501c3 non-profit under the Missourian Publishing Association. Students enrolled in staff classes produce the newspaper, which is managed by working professionals who also serve as professors.

History

Walter Williams (1864–1935), the Missouri School of Journalism's first dean, helped establish the Missouri School of Journalism in 1908. The first issue of the Columbia Missourian was printed on the day that classes started, September 14, 1908.^[2]^[3]

Prior to his appointment as dean of the Journalism School, Williams worked at several newspapers in Boonville, served as president of the Missouri Press Association and was eventually offered a position as editor of the Columbia Herald. He faced much resistance of the prospects of a journalism school from editorial boards across the state, but when he was appointed by Governor Lon V. Stephens to the Board of Curators in 1899, a school of journalism became a more likely prospect.

In 1959, construction began on a new headquarters for the Columbia Missourian. The addition to Jay H. Neff Hall included 19,000 square feet (1,800 m²) of floor space with newsroom, composing room, and press room. The new headquarters was dedicated in May 1962.^[4]

On September 19, 1968, the Columbia Missourian switched from afternoon to morning delivery. The change was originally opposed by Dean Earl English for fear that students would abandon coursework and spend all night working on the newspaper. Printers also threatened to quit because of the change in printing schedule.^[5]

In 1970, the Missourian obtained four federally licensed press-radio units. The radios had a range of 30 miles (48 km) and enabled students to learn of new assignments without returning to the newsroom, and they were used heavily in field reporting.^[6]

In 1985, the Missourian became the world's first daily newspaper to use a local-area network for production. A year later, it became Missouri's first newspaper to install a computerized pagination system. The $250,000 system eliminated hands-on page designing.^[7]

In 1992, the Missourian became one of the world's first newspapers to offer content in a digital format as well as the traditional print format.^[8]

On April 18, 1995, Lee Hills Hall was dedicated as the new home of the Columbia Missourian. The new headquarters was funded by approximately $5 million in gifts from former Missouri journalism student Lee Hills, who served as the first president of the Knight Ridder news service.^[9]

On July 1, 2018, Ruby Bailey became the Missourian's first female executive editor.^[10]

On December 20, 2021, Elizabeth Stephens became the Missourian's executive editor.^[11]

Today, the newspaper is a web-first publication with a print edition published five days a week.

References

^ "Columbia Missourian". Missouri Press Association. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
^ Columbia Missourian. "About the Missourian". Columbia Missourian.
^ "University Missourian (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916". Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. 20540 USA. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2010-06-27. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2009-03-14. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ "J-School Legacy". Missouri School of Journalism. Archived from the original on 2009-02-23. Retrieved 2009-03-28.
^ Maresh, Michael. "Missourian gets new executive editor". Columbia Daily Tribune. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
^ Journalism, Press Release | University of Missouri School of (2021-12-22). "Elizabeth Conner Stephens named executive editor of Columbia Missourian". Editor and Publisher. Retrieved 2023-12-06.