Only a few years into the 21st century, the Stater remains at the forefront of collegiate journalism, regularly winning national awards and training future leaders in the world of journalism.

Although the new millennium is only a few years young, the Stater has already made numerous technological advances that keep it ahead of the game. Since 2000, the newspaper has switched from using the Quark XPress design software to using InDesign, and during this time, also underwent a massive redesign that gave the paper a new, more mature look.

Computers in the office are updated regularly and have the latest in Macintosh operating systems and news-friendly software, like Photoshop and News Edit Pro.

Quite possibly the largest advance made by the Stater so far this century is the growing Digital Stater, now called Stater Online. In 2005, the Stater Web site moved off university server’s and acquired a new domain name, stateronline.com. Stater Online boasts a sleek new design, daily Web exclusive content, photo slide shows and even video, making the site a model for convergence in college journalism.

These advances have created the need for an expanded staff, complete with new positions for design, graphics and a full Web staff. The Pop Arts staff also expanded when the section broke off from the paper, becoming a separate tabloid entity that’s grown to 12 pages of local, regional and national entertainment coverage.

The Stater is also getting ready for its biggest change yet – a new home.
For the first time since 1987, all JMC units – including all student media – will be housed under the same roof in the renovated Franklin Hall. The new home of JMC, scheduled to be completed in 2006, will make convergence a staple of Kent State journalism.

The Stater and TV-2 will not only be in the same building, but will share a state-of-the-art newsroom conducive to true convergence in student media. The building will also have high-tech labs and classrooms, wireless internet and a large vending area, which will be much-appreciated by journalism students.

A new look, new technology, and even a new home – the Stater has solidified its role as an ever-growing, ever-changing publication that will be a part of the university landscape for centuries to come.