150th anniversary preview and panel discussion

Student journalism and Columbia in crisis

As the Columbia Daily Spectator approaches its 150th anniversary, we are launching an ambitious effort to secure its future — and strengthen its position as the best student newspaper in America (Society of Professional Journalists, May 2025.)

Join us for a special Washington, D.C., preview of the $1 million SECURE THE SPEC campaign and what it will accomplish, from financial aid to new reporting prizes and fellowships that help graduates launch their careers. We'll also strengthen an endowment that's nearly the smallest in the Ivy League.

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Speakers

• Welcome from SARA JUST '88, the senior executive producer of PBS NewsHour Productions and a WETA senior vice president
• MARCUS BRAUCHLI '83, the former executive editor of The Washington Post and the cofounder of North Base Media, will interview three recent editors-in-chief: TSEHAI ALFRED '27, SHEA VANCE '26, and ISABELLA RAMIREZ '25. They'll discuss Columbia's years of crisis, from campus occupation to its clash with the Trump administration, and the importance of independent student journalism.

Spec is grateful to Josh Hurvitz '03 and his firm, NVG, for hosting this event.

This is a free, "no ask" event. Light refreshments will be served.