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Mission Statement

The Clarion is the student voice of Madison Area Technical College. We believe in the inherent First Amendment right of freedom of expression and in the benefits of dialogue and debate within the college. We believe in the rights of the students to directly participate in college governance. The Clarion will teach students, inform the college community and advocate for student rights.

History of The Clarion

The start of The Clarion can be traced to a school publication known as “The Four Lakes Reporter,” which began in the 1965-1966 school year. Published in a newsletter format, it contained mostly news updates and calendar information. At this time, the publication’s funding was set annually by the college administration with little or no student oversight.

A name and format change came about during the 1971-1972 school year, when the publication starting printing on newsprint and in the current tabloid format. The name “Student Language and News Today” was adopted, and the acronym “SLANT” appeared on every page and become its common title.

Students won the right to control spending of the publication’s budget during the 1970s. A college-wide Publications Board consisting of students, faculty and administrators was established to assist with funding and governance issues.  

During its early years, the publication was closely aligned with the college’s journalism program. All content was written and edited by the MATC journalism class under the guidance of instructor Mike Irwin. The publication was compiled and printed by the college’s graphics laboratory, overseen by instructor Robert Eason, at the Commercial Avenue facility. It was published on monthly basis.

In the mid-1980s, the publication’s name was slightly changed to “Student Life and News Today,” although the publication continued to be known as “The SLANT.”  Students in the college’s journalism classes edited the publication, but they now accepted submissions from students throughout the college. For a short time period, from February 1989 through April 1992, “The SLANT” was published as a monthly news magazine.

The student newspaper became an official student organization and part of the Student Life Office’s co-curricular offerings in September 1992. Student Publication Specialist Karen Faster was hired to serve as the first non-faculty advisor for the publication. Students from all areas of the college could apply to serve as editors, though submissions and participation from journalism, photography and marketing courses were strongly encouraged. Along with the structural changes came changes in appearance. The publication returned to a newspaper format and established a goal of publishing twice a month.

On Jan. 31, 1997, “The SLANT” changed its name to “The Clarion.” Student staff members felt that the name “SLANT” inferred a bias and was counter to the true goal of the publication, which was to provide an objective account of news and information impacting MATC students. The student staff selected the name “The Clarion” because it “connotes a truthful yet rebellious nature that the publication hopes to hold.” Eric Schumacher-Rasmussen was the advisor during this period, serving from September 1995 through May 2000. During this period, the newspaper went online and posted its first online issue in 1998.

 

Clarion awards

List of all awards won by Clarion staff members since Fall 2000.

2001 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (March 2001)

  • 3rd place – Overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges

2002 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Contest (Feb. 1, 2002)

  • 1st place, investigative reporting – Andrea Carter-Kinsaul
  • 3rd place, column writing – Allan Wheeler
  • 3rd place, graphics – Patrick Stutz

2002 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (March 2002)

  • 2nd place – Overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges
  • 2nd place, page design – Rebecca Borlaug
  • 2nd place, editorial writing – Andrea Carter-Kinsaul

2002 ACP National College Media Convention (Nov. 3, 2002)

  • 3rd place – Overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges
  • 3rd place – Special sections produced by newspapers at two-year colleges

2003 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Contest (Feb. 7, 2003)

  • 1st place, editorial writing – Nathan Comp
  • 1st place, graphics – Thomas Washbush
  • 1st place, column writing – Andrea Carter-Kinsaul
  • 2nd place, graphics – Patrick Stutz

2003 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (March 2, 2003)

  • 1st place – arts and entertainment section, staff
  • 1st place – news writing, Nathan Comp
  • 1st place – feature writing, Nathan Comp
  • 1st place – page design, Wade Barth
  • 2nd place – overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges
  • 2nd place – news photos, Sharon Vanorny & Thomas Washbush
  • Honorable mention – editorial writing, Nathan Comp
  • Honorable mention – special sections, staff

2003 ACP National College Publications Workshop (Aug. 3, 2003)

  • 2nd place ­– General excellence, newspaper.

2003 ACP Pacemaker Awards (Nov. 8, 2003)

  • 3rd place – Reporter of the Year, two-year colleges, Nathan Comp
  • 3rd place – House ad, Cindi Grantin

2004 Wisconsin Newspaper Association College Newspaper Contest (Jan. 30, 2004)

  • 1st place – Graphics, Thomas Washbush
  • 3rd place – Graphics, Cindi Grantin
  • 1st place – Investigative Reporting, Nathan Comp
  • 1st place ­– Feature Writing, Nathan Comp
  • 2nd place – Best Advertisement, Cindi Grantin
  • 3rd place ­– General Excellence, staff

2004 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (Feb. 29, 2004)

  • 1st place – overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges
  • 2nd place – feature writing, Todd Wilson
  • 2nd place ­– opinion writing, Bryan Morris
  • 2nd place – arts and entertainment section, staff
  • 2nd place – special sections, staff
  • Honorable mention – photography, Jessi Espie

2004 Society of News Design College Newspaper Contest (April 2004)

  • 1st place – Designer of the Year for non-daily student newspapers, Thomas Washbush.
  • 1st place – Page 1 News Design, Thomas Washbush.
  • 1st place – Magazine or Tabloid Spread Design, Thomas Washbush.
  • Honorable mention – Feature Page Design, Thomas Washbush.

2004 ACP National College Media Convention (Nov. 7, 2004)

  • 1st place – Best of show for two-year college newspapers.
  • 2nd place – Pacemaker award for infographic/illustration, Thomas Washbush.
  • 3rd place – Reporter of the year for two-year colleges, Annie Dean.
  • Finalist – Pacemaker award finalist.

2005 Wisconsin Newspaper Association College Newspaper Contest (Feb. 4, 2005)

  • 1st place – Graphics, Thomas Washbush
  • 1st place – Best Advertisement, Thomas Washbush
  • 2nd place – General Excellence, staff
  • 2nd place – Investigative Reporting, Annie Dean
  • 3rd place – Photography, Jessie Espie
  • 3rd place – General Reporting, Annie Dean
  • 3rd place – Feature Writing, Nathan J. Comp
  • 3rd place – Column Writing, Nathan J. Comp
  • 3rd place – Editorial, Bryan Morris
  • 3rd place – Best Advertisement, Thomas Washbush
  • Certificate of Merit – Best Editorial, Sarah Schoville

2005 ACP Best of the Midwest Newspaper Convention (March 6, 2005)

  • 1st place – Overall excellence for newspapers at two-year colleges.
  • 1st place – Review writing, Meagan Parrish.
  • 2nd place – Overall excellence for special sections from a two-year school.
  • 2nd place – Overall excellence in an Arts & Entertainment section.
  • Honorable mention – Editorial writing, Sarah Schoville.

2005 ACP Award (April 2005)

  • Leader of the Student Press in North America 2004 – Thomas Washbush      

2005 Society for News Design College Newspaper Contest (April 2005)

  • Honorable Mention – Newspaper re-design, Thomas Washbush.

2005 ACP National College Media Convention (October 2005)

  • 1st place – Pacemaker Award for Best Small Advertisement, Thomas Washbush
  • 2nd place – Reporter of the Year national competition for community college journalists, Meagan Parrish
  • 2nd place – Best of Show, two-year college non-weekly tabloids.
  • Finalist – Pacemaker award finalist.
2006 Wisconsin Newspaper Association College Newspaper Contest (February 2006)
  • 1st place – General Reporting, Meagan Parrish
  • 1st place – Graphics, Thomas Washbush
  • 2nd place – General Reporting, Sarah Schoville-Kyrie
  • 2nd place – Feature Writing, Meagan Parrish
  • Third place – General Excellence, staff
  • Third place – Graphics, Christy Stetson
  • Third place – General Reporting, Bryan Morris
  • Third place – Advertising, Kate Gillman
  • Honorable mention – General Reporting, Meagan Parrish
  • Honorable mention – Editorial, Meagan Parrish
  • WNA Foundation Scholarship – Heidi Freymiller

2006 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (February 2006)

  • 1st place – Best of Show, two-year college newspapers
  • 1st place – Arts and Entertainment section
  • 1st place – Column Writing, Melissa Stelter
  • 2nd place – Feature Writing, Meagan Parrish
  • 2nd place – Sports Writing, Shannon Green
  • Third place – Newswriting, Heidi Freymiller

2006 ACP National College Media Convention (Oct. 25-29, 2006)

  • Finalist – Pacemaker award finalist.
  • Finalist – Online Pacemaker award finalist.
  • 2nd place – Best of Show, two-year college non-weekly tabloids.
  • 2nd place – Best of Collegiate Design, Sports Page Design, Thomas Washbush.
  • 5th place – Best of Collegiate Design, Advertisement,  Thomas Washbush.
  • Honorable mention – Special sections.
  • Honorable mention – Story of the Year, Editorial, Melissa Stelter.

2007 Wisconsin Newspaper Association College Newspaper Contest (Feb. 9, 2007)

  • 1st place – Graphics, Thomas Washbush
  • 2nd place – General Excellence
  • 2nd place – Photography, Cory Lyle
  • 2nd place – General Reporting, Duffy Hery
  • 2nd place – Best Advertisement, Thomas Washbush
  • 3rd place – Graphics, Christy Stetson
  • 3rd place – Best Advertisement, Thomas Washbush, Sick of Living in Dumps?
  • Certificate of Merit – Sports Reporting, Shannon Green
  • Certificate of Merit – Feature Writing, Heidi Freymiller
  • Certificate of Merit – Feature Writing, Meagan Parrish
  • Certificate of Merit – Column Writing, Melissa Stelter
  • Certificate of Merit – Best Editorial, Melissa Stelter

2007 ACP Best of the Midwest College Newspaper Convention (Feb. 17, 2007)

  • 1st place – Best of Show, two-year college
  • 1st place – Special section.

 

 

 

 

Clarion staff

EDITOR IN CHIEF
Rachel McNeill
clarioned@matcmadison.edu

MANAGING EDITOR
 Lindsey Hinkel

ART DIRECTOR
 Cathrine Botzum

GRAPHI DESIGNERS
 Dana Jeglum
Ryan Campbell

ILLUSTRATORS
 Christy Stetson

NEWS EDITOR
Callie Reger
clarionnews@matcmadison.edu

OPINION EDITOR
Jamie Griffin
clarionopinion@matcmadison.edu

ARTS & CULTURE EDITOR
Kari Krajewski
clarionarts@matcmadison.edu

SPORTS EDITOR
Terrail Easley
clarionsports@matcmadison.edu

COPY EDITOR
Lynn Washington Rettig
Photina Ree

PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR
Devin Abshere

BUSINESS DIRECTOR
Phillip Bonney
clarionads@matcmadison.edu

WEB EDITOR
Joseph Weston

CONTRIBUTORS
 Tony Nondahl, Virginia Bryan,
Aaron Stoltenburg, Jessica Bryant,
Jamie Mender, Jesse McCurty,
Megan Webster, Ellisja Keys,
Clare Dickerson, Ron Stewart

ADVISOR
Doug Kirchberg
dkirchberg@matcmadison.edu

PRINTER
Print-n-Press, Journal Community
Publishing Group

 

Contact Us

NEWS/STORIES
(608) 246-6809
(608) 246-6488 – FAX
clarioned@matcmadison.edu

ADVERTISING
(608) 243-4809
(608) 246-6488 – FAX
clarionads@matcmadison.edu

MEMBERSHIPS
 Associated Collegiate Press
Wisconsin Newspaper Association
Last Modified: September 21, 2007