Major Redesign Marks 100 Years of the Albany Student Press

ALBANY, N.Y. (October 2, 2015) – On Oct. 4, 1916, a group of students attending the New York State College for Teachers (the University at Albany’s predecessor) published the first volume of an official campus newspaper, known today as the Albany Student Press (ASP). Now, nearly 100 years later, current editors have given the weekly publication a major facelift.

The ASP – referred to as State College News until 1963 – is one of America’s oldest student-run college newspapers. Completely independent and self-funded, the newspaper is known for its unique perspectives, quirky headlines, and off-beat stories. Yet, though the ASP has continuously evolved over the last century, current editor-in-chief and UAlbany senior Kassie Parisi still felt like something was missing.

“I realized at some point last year that I was going to be the editor-in-chief when the ASP turned 100 years old. I knew I needed to do something memorable,” Parisi said. “I’ve always had hopes and dreams of changing the paper, making it into something I think is a great reflection of our University. I wanted a 21st-century product that was more vibrant, exciting, and professional.”

Parisi, along with current UAlbany senior and ASP managing editor Madeline St. Amour, spearheaded a major redesign of the newspaper in summer 2015. With assistance from other ASP editors, and UAlbany journalism professor Thomas Palmer’s AJRL392 class, an entirely new layout was ready for its debut this semester.

Highlights of the latest design include:

• A new ASP logo to reflect the modernization of the paper
• Large, bold story headlines, showcasing creativity and enticing readers
• Article subheadings categorized by topic, for example “sustainability” or “campus life”
• A large increase in color photography to showcase the talent of student photographers
• A smaller-sized paper, making it easier to hold, fold, and read

Albany Student Press Editor-In-Chief Kassie Parisi (left) and Managing Editor Madeline St. Amour (right) go over new prospective layout designs for the newspaper's centennial. (Photo courtesy of Thomas Palmer)

In viewing the finished product, both Parisi and St. Amour described the paper as a visually compelling, modern product – what they had always envisioned.

“I’m only 21 years old, but this is probably one of the greatest things I’ve ever done in my life. We [the Albany Student Press editors] are leaving behind something that will be really great,” Parisi said. “It’s a complete honor to stand here and say we did this as the ASP is turning 100 years old. This design will only continue to grow.”

Nick Reisman, a 2007 UAlbany graduate, was the editor-and-chief of the ASP during his junior and senior years. He currently works as a reporter on Capital Tonight, part of Time Warner Cable News – Albany. Reisman, who remembers the paper as mostly black and white, was impressed by the new design.

“From what I’ve seen, the new ASP looks great. It’s really clean. Like the kind of newspaper that you would see sitting on a newsstand. It really has come a long way,” Reisman said.

Though its design may have changed, what the ASP offers students will stay the same. Behind the weekly editorial meetings, late night deadlines and countless hours of interviews, UAlbany students are gaining real-world journalism experience, which Reisman called invaluable.

“As a student, to have the experience of putting together a story, getting sources, and editing, is a major deal.” Reisman said. “Our field is very unpredictable. I’m lucky to have the career that I do today – and it all started with the ASP. It confirmed to me that journalism was something I loved and wanted to do.”

To learn more about becoming an ASP writer, please visit www.albanystudentpress.net or email [email protected].

Also search #ASP100 on Twitter to follow the newspaper’s centennial countdown.

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