| The last two decades of the
20th century molded the Stater into an ever-changing, ever-lasting
entity that showed no signs of slowing.
While the Stater was growing and changing to fit the times, the nation
was also going through a period of renewal and restoration,
trying to recoup from the
strife of the previous two decades.
The university, still trying to deal
with the 10-year-old shootings that had forever altered
the atmosphere of the campus, was also shifting its
tone.
“The biggest thing I remember was the rise of
conservatism,” said
Mike Pesarchik, editor of the Stater in 1980. “I think
people were tired of May 4 and all the protesting.”
The staff of the Stater in
the 80s certainly had plenty of news to bring to
its readers – University President Brage
Golding stepped down in 1981 and the University
School, one
of the last remnants of the old Kent Normal College,
was closed.
Jerry Silverman and Shannon Rogers
gave the university a multi-million dollar gift
to jumpstart
the fledgling fashion design program, but the
cross country, track and tennis programs ended
when a
huge budget error made by the state of Ohio forced
the
university to cut the budget. |
|
 Editor
Jim Shimko relaxes in his office, surrounded by
the fruit of the staff's hard work.
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In 1984,
the Stater began advancing technologically by saying
goodbye to typewriters and installing the first
newsroom computer system, a gift from the Warren
Tribune Chronicle. The Stater also switched
format from tabloid to broadsheet under the direction
of then-adviser Tim Smith.
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The last decade of the century was the decade that set
the Stater apart from its competition. The newspaper
had not required any operating funds from student fees
after 1993 and circulation was on the rise.
In 1996, the Digital Stater was started by
staff member P.J. Hruschak, and was developed heavily
in the few remaining years of the 90s. Office technology
also expanded as new computers and software were purchased.
The Stater was
a self-sufficient enterprise, using the latest in technology
to help students grow and mold successful careers in
journalism while bringing relevant, up-to-date news
to the Kent State community and beyond.
Photo source: jmc.kent.edu
|
The
1984 Stater staff gathers for a photo at Ray's,
a popular drinking hole for staffers.
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