Current and former Talisman staff came together at the Adams-Whitaker Student Publication Center on Thursday to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the publication. The event saw a diverse group of alumni and students come together in celebration and admiration. Many spoke of its importance in their lives and how impactful it has been.

The Talisman was first released in 1924 as a yearbook. Overtime, the Talisman evolved from its original yearbook format to WKU’s life and culture magazine, publishing once per semester, as well as publishing content daily on its website and releasing a weekly digital newsletter. Now the Talisman is a magazine with both a physical and digital presence. 

Despite this format change, the goal of the Talisman has always been the same – to document life on the Hill. Robert “Bob” Adams, who served as adviser for the College Heights Herald from 1968 until 1990, when he took on the role of director of WKU Student Publications, spoke of how impressive this evolution has been and his pride in the Talisman’s growth.

“You never really leave,” said Adams in reference to the Talisman’s impact on his life. This is a sentiment shared among the former staff who were there to celebrate.

Adams spoke on the evolution of the Talisman going all the way back to his time as a student at WKU. According to Adams, when he began his time on the Hill, the Talisman it was not much more than a yearbook hosted in the agriculture department. He spoke of figures instrumental in the growth of the Student Publications like Jody Richards and the current heads of Student Publications, Chuck Clark and Sam Oldenburg. Adams also expressed that he was looking forward to seeing the magazine’s continued work.

The Talisman’s co-executive editors, Cecilia Alali and Ragan Harrington, spoke on the fond memories made during  their time with the publication. 

“It’s more than a magazine,” said Alali. Both Alali and Harrington emphasized their excitement about the future of the Talisman and the stories that it will continue to tell.

“I love this place, I really do,” Brett Phelps, senior and web visuals editor for the Talisman, said. Phelps talked highly of what his opportunity at the Talisman has given him and how highly he recommends it to others. 

“It’s gonna look overwhelming at first, it is,” Phelps said. Despite this, he encouraged current and future freshmen to jump in with both feet like he did. 

“I found my family here,” Phelps said.

News Reporter Malone Farmer can be reached at [email protected].