The Current (newspaper)
Encyclopedia
For forty years, The Current has been the official student newspaper of the University of Missouri–St. Louis
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The Current is a tabloid published weekly on Mondays. The paper has won numerous awards, including "Best in State" from the Missouri College Media Association. Its office is located on the third floor of the Millennium Student Center on the north campus.
in Columbia
. "Current" also reflected a river motif that aligned with the student body's choice of "Riverman" for the UMSL mascot. UMSL has since changed its mascot to the Triton.
The Current is funded primarily by advertising revenue supplemented by student activity fees. All positions at the newspaper are staffed by students with one faculty adviser.
University of Missouri–St. Louis
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is one of four universities in the University of Missouri System. Established in 1963, it is the newest university in the UM System. , it is the largest university by enrollment in the St. Louis area with 16,548 students...
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The Current is a tabloid published weekly on Mondays. The paper has won numerous awards, including "Best in State" from the Missouri College Media Association. Its office is located on the third floor of the Millennium Student Center on the north campus.
History
The Current was preceded by the monthly "Tiger Cub" from 1960–63 and the bi-weekly "Mizzou News" from 1963-66. The newspaper's name became "UMSL Current" in 1966; "UMSL" was later dropped from the name. The name change was intended to foster an identity independent from the University of MissouriUniversity of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
in Columbia
Columbia, Missouri
Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the...
. "Current" also reflected a river motif that aligned with the student body's choice of "Riverman" for the UMSL mascot. UMSL has since changed its mascot to the Triton.
Some notable events
- The Current's former office, in a house at 7940 Natural Bridge Rd., was damaged by an arsonist in 1997.
- The Current broke a national story in Sept. 1999 when it reported that the president of the Student Government Association was a convicted felon who had pleaded guilty to two felonies, stealing a credit device and fraudulent use of a credit device, shortly after he won the spring election.
- For the 2000-2001 school year, The Current won its first "Best Overall Newspaper" and "Sweepstakes" awards from the Missouri College Media Association.
- In 2003 and again in 2004, The Current faced cuts to the subsidy it receives from student activity fees. The situation generated media coverage in St. Louis. The funds eventually were restored.
- For the 2006-2007 school year, The Current won several first place awards from the Missouri College Media Association, including "Best Page One Design," "Best Editorial Page," and "Best in State."
- In 2009, the University suspended The Current's student organization privileges for issues related to payroll. The Current was put back in good standing with Student Life in August 2009.
Alumni
- Vincent Schoemehl - Mayor of the City of St. LouisSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
1981-1993 - Clint Zweifel - Missouri state treasurer
- Marty HendinMarty HendinMarty Hendin was a baseball executive who worked in various marketing, public relations, and community relations posts for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. Inducted into the University of Missouri-St...
- vice president of community relations for the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to... - Frank Cusumano - St. Louis area radio and television sportscaster
- Earl Swift - staff writer for The Virginian-Pilot and author
- Kevin Slaten - St. Louis area radio sportscaster
- Jeremy Rutherford - sports reporter for the St. Louis Post-DispatchSt. Louis Post-DispatchThe St. Louis Post-Dispatch is the major city-wide newspaper in St. Louis, Missouri. Although written to serve Greater St. Louis, the Post-Dispatch is one of the largest newspapers in the Midwestern United States, and is available and read as far west as Kansas City, Missouri, as far south as...
- Jack Wang - television news anchor for KSDKKSDKKSDK, Channel 5, is the NBC-affiliated television station in St. Louis, Missouri. KSDK is owned and operated by Gannett Company, and the station's transmitter is located in Marlborough, Missouri. The station broadcasts a digital signal on UHF channel 35, using its former analog channel assignment...
- Thompson Knox - Executive vice president at SteadyRain and professional comic book colorist
- Tim Powers - Los Angeles area comedian and screenwriter
Organization
The Current operates as a student organization with its own constitution and is governed by the Student Publications Committee of the University Assembly. The staff votes each year to endorse a candidate for editor-in-chief. Their choice is then approved by the same committee.The Current is funded primarily by advertising revenue supplemented by student activity fees. All positions at the newspaper are staffed by students with one faculty adviser.