Although the first Columbia alumni publication began in 1895, the earliest example held in the Archives is dated July 1899. Titled “Bulletin of the Alumni Association of the Columbia School of Oratory” it recounts the minutes of the 4th annual meeting of the Columbia School of Oratory Alumni Association held at Steinway Hall in Chicago and offers articles by its members. Two articles of note are “How to Teach Gesture” by Mary Blood and “Divided Consciousness in Public Reading” by Ida Morey Riley, the co-founders of the school.
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By now the school is known as Columbia College of Expression. This issue, from June 1911, consists of alumni names and addresses followed by the minutes of the group’s last meeting and articles such as “In what respects is the study of vocal expression educational?” |
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The October 1914 issue is of special note as it is Mary Blood’s own copy. Her signature adorns the cover and inside she updated alumni addresses. The purpose of this alumni magazine is found within: “Hereafter one of the quarterly bulletins issued by the school will be an Alumni Bulletin devoted especially to the interests of the Alumni and former students of the college” with the rest of the issues focusing on elocution, papers, and news.
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The June 1920 alumni publication, “Columbia Clarion” was produced by the College’s senior class for soon-to-be-graduates and alumni. This issue holds poetry, college news, class notes, alumni news, and advice with the inside covers given over to advertising from local businesses. |
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In the 1950s the college was known simply as Columbia College and the College Registrar’s office produced this newsletter called the “Columbia Dial” newsletter. This one from 1957 is filled with news about alumni and school happenings. |
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In the 1980s and 1990s ‘re:’ was the alumni publication. Produced by the Alumni Relations Office, news about alumni and faculty achievements filled its pages. This issue is from June 1993. |
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In 2002, “Gravity” became the alumni magazine of the College and was named the top college magazine in the country for two years by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education. This is its inaugural issue from Spring 2002. |
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In fall 2005, DEMO magazine was introduced. Published three times a year, its mission is to report news “from, and about Columbia College Chicago. It’s for alumni and friends of the College who are interested in reading about the men and women of the Columbia community who are applying their creativity to innovation in the visual, performing, media, and communications arts.” This is its inaugural issue. |
