About Us

This student newspaper traces its roots to 1919, when it was founded as The Universi-Teaser. In 1922, the name was changed to The Campus Collegian and later shortened to The Collegian in 1962.

In 2000 the newspaper severed legal and financial ties with the University of Toledo and became The Independent Collegian. For the next 19 years it was published by the Collegian Media Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit organization.

In the face of declining ad revenues, during the summer of 2019 the newspaper began the process of re-integrating itself with the University, becoming a student organization. Support from the multiple areas within the University has been encouraging, and the current staff is working on transitioning the paper into an entity that will last another 100 years.

The newspaper of record for UT has covered young students going off to defend their county in World War II and others returning from the War in Iraq.

The Collegian was there during the Rockets’ 35-0 football winning streak – still the second longest in NCAA history – and it chronicled the defeat of Bobby Knight’s national championship Indiana Hoosiers in the first game to be played in then-Centennial Hall.

It has covered the sudden resignation of one university president and the sudden deaths of five others. It has covered the offbeat – from the group 10,000 Maniacs performing in the Student Union to 10,000 fans lined up for tickets to see Elvis Presley in his penultimate concert.

But through it all, The Collegian has been dedicated to providing timely, accurate and relevant news about UT and the university community, and continues to do so.

AWARDS

2017

Ohio Newspaper Association Collegiate Newspaper Awards:
— Marcus Dodson and Jenna Nance, First Place, Sports Coverage
— Savannah Joslin, First Place, Photojournalism

2015

Ohio Newspaper Association Collegiate Newspaper Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, Sports Coverage
— Danielle Gamble, Amanda Eggert, and Samantha Rhodes, First Place, Arts & Entertainment

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— Joe Heidenescher, General Column Writing

2014

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
— Blake Bacho, First Place, Sports Writing.

Ohio Newspaper Association, Frank E. Deaner Collegiate Newspaper Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, News Coverage
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, Sports Coverage
— Bob Taylor, First Place, Photojournalism

2013

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— Independent Collegian, First Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
— Paris Black, First Place, General Column Writing

2012

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, Second Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper

2010

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, Second Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
— Ethan Keating, Third Place, Editorial Writing.

2009

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, Third Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper

2007

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, Third Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper
— Dave Hochanadel, First Place, Sports Photography
— Dave Hochanadel, First Place, Photo Illustration
— Dave Hochanadel, Third Place, Photo Illustration

2006

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper

2005

Society of Professional Journalists, Region 4, Mark of Excellence Awards:
— The Independent Collegian, First Place, Best All-Around Non-Daily Student Newspaper