By the Gatepost Editorial Board
This week, The Gatepost celebrates its 90-year anniversary.
At the height of the Great Depression, a group of civic-minded students decided Framingham State needed a permanent newspaper.
In March 1932, the first edition of The Gatepost contained articles on student events, updates on alumni, and information on faculty, as well as some “scraps of humor.”
Ninety years later, The Gatepost’s status as one of the most important, dependable, and durable institutions at Framingham State is indisputable.
Through even the darkest of times in United States history, our publication has not faltered in its commitment to serve the Framingham State community.
During the most critical moments, we have played a crucial role in establishing a sense of continuity and community at Framingham State through our consistent reporting.
When needed – we adapted.
Two decades ago on 9/11, The Gatepost staff came together to create a special edition of the paper to commemorate and honor all who had lost their lives in the terrorist attacks.
Two years ago, in March 2020, the world found itself in the midst of a global pandemic. The Gatepost continued to publish – a task some college newspapers across the country could not accomplish.
For almost a year and a half, The Gatepost relied on the resiliency of our staff and a stable internet connection in order to produce a weekly newspaper.
Amid a world of chaos, our staff still undertook the stresses of journalistic responsibilities, but with computer screens lighting dozens of little faces on Zoom, one could not miss the smiles that shone on their faces while doing it.
Our staff performed with pride and integrity while producing an award-winning newspaper – that’s been the case for the past 90 years.
But we didn’t do it alone.
Today is a day to celebrate 90 years of The Gatepost, but the true celebration is of the community that has made it possible.
Without the support of administrators, faculty, staff, students, and alumni, we would be unable to produce a paper that is worthy of recognition by the Society of Professional Journalists – a national organization.
From day one, the Student Government Association has provided us with the funds we need to print and function. The $21 that started us in 1932 has come a long way – thank you!
We thank all of the student-led organizations, whose shows, events, and presentations fill our arts section with rich content and colorful photos of student life.
We thank the administrators and professors who share their valuable time with us for our endless interviews.
We thank SILD for their administrative support for billing and other logistical matters, as well as the many other offices at FSU for the work they do, including Facilities, which helps us maintain our office year round.
But, of course, we cannot forget to thank our two amazing advisors, Desmond McCarthy and Liz Banks, who have taught us everything we need to know about the ins and outs of journalism.
They have graciously volunteered their time year after year in order to support our professional endeavors.
McCarthy and Banks serve as the pillars of FSU’s phenomenal journalism program and the foundation of hundreds of students’ success.
We would also like to thank all of The Gatepost alumni, who despite moving on from their beloved college newspaper, are still always willing to help out and support current staff in any way they can. Whether it’s attending the annual Journalism Career Night, helping students network, or even popping by to offer support on a Thursday night, we know we can count on them.
However, this paper would be nothing without our staff.
They are some of the hardest-working students on campus, who dedicate countless hours to producing a newspaper and serving as a voice for the Framingham State community on a weekly basis.
On Thursday nights, Gateposters work into the early hours of Friday mornings in order to produce the quality newspaper that fills our bins across campus.
The Gatepost has served the Framingham State community with integrity and devotion for 90 years.
Without the support of our community, we would not have made it to this important milestone.
Thank you!
The unwavering support of the Framingham State community and its recognition of the vital role The Gatepost plays has been essential to our success.
In 1932, the first Editorial Board wrote, “The permanency of the Gate Post is at stake with your support, its growth demands your contributions, and its betterments rest upon your criticisms; we cannot do it all.”
This statement continues to hold true to this day.
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, The Gatepost’s continued publication was a weekly reminder to everyone at Framingham State that they were not alone. The Gatepost provided a sense of normalcy when life seemed to be turned upside down.
But, the ability to publish was a weekly reminder to us at The Gatepost that we were not alone, either.
Even in the most isolating moments of a global pandemic, we were able to serve our community – a community whose support made that possible.
The Gatepost’s 1932 Editorial Board foresaw that.
As we celebrate this year’s anniversary, we at The Gatepost are taking this time to offer each and every one of you 90 years worth of thank yous.