The Royal Purple celebrates 125 years of student journalism

UW-Whitewater’s student-run newspaper, The Royal Purple, will celebrate its 125th anniversary Friday, Oct. 23, welcoming alumni, current and former staff, campus community members and area media for an evening honoring its history and future.

The free event begins with a cake cutting and welcome reception at 6:30 p.m. in the Hyland Hall Atrium. The anniversary program follows at 7 p.m. in Timmerman Auditorium. ⁠

Register for the free Royal Purple 125th Anniversary Celebration.

For the College of Arts and Communication, the milestone celebrates a long-standing source of hands-on learning. Generations of students have used The Royal Purple to develop their reporting, writing, editing and leadership skills while covering the people and issues shaping campus life.

“I’m really looking forward to engaging with the campus community about the history of The Royal Purple,” said current Editor-in-Chief Evan Boller. “This is a significant milestone, and we have a lot of special programming planned to recognize all of the great work and accomplishments over the last 125 years.”

The program will include an address from Boller and remarks from Chancellor Corey A. King and College of Arts and Communication Dean Michael Dugan. Milwaukee Press Club Endowment President Patricia Hastings and Kettle Moraine Press Association President April van Buren will also offer congratulations.

Wisconsin State Journal Executive Editor Lecker will deliver the keynote on the legacy of student media in Wisconsin. UW-Whitewater journalism alumna and television host Emmy Fink will emcee the evening.

The celebration continues during homecoming weekend with a Royal Purple tailgate at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, in Lot 11, ahead of the 1 p.m. football game at Perkins Stadium.

Former staff members and readers are encouraged to bring their stories, reconnect with fellow Warhawks and celebrate the students who continue to put the news on the page.