A Brief History of Scribendi
Compiled by Astrid Winegar, Scribendi Staff 2000-2001

Formerly titled UNM Honors Review, Scribendi began as a somewhat crazy labor of love. Around 1985, a few enterprising undergraduates developed an interest in starting an undergraduate honor's magazine. Dr. Susan Kilgore was the first faculty advisor for this publication. At this time, students did not receive credit for their work, and there was very little recognition. The staff frantically held bake sales to help raise money for publishing the magazine. Generous small businesses and parents of the staff also provided funding. Submissions were few and mostly local, perhaps 30-40 total submissions, and the magazine was less than 25 pages long. By the third year, there were at least 100 submissions from the Western region of the United States.

Dr. V. B. Price took over for Dr. Kilgore as faculty advisor for the 1990 issue and arranged to allow students receive one credit hour per semester for working on the magazine. Students could receive a total of three credit hours for three semesters' worth of work. Submissions increased, as well as the length and scope of the publication. This magazine grew that year to be more than 60 pages.

In 1994, the staff decided to change the name of the magazine to Scribendi, which means roughly "the writings" (see name page, for an extended definition) in Latin. According to Denise Clegg, one of the editors in 1994, "the title reflects the magazine on many levels; it is literally made of the written word, and this year many of the pieces speak about the power of stories, images, and language."

Sharon Niederman was the faculty advisor in 1996-1997. By this time, Professor Price had arranged for the student staff to receive three credit hours for each semester worked. Dr. Leslie Donovan became the faculty advisor in 1997. By this time, the publication had grown to more than 100 pages. More than 550 submissions were received for the 2003 issue. Evaluating so many fine works of art and literature is time-consuming and makes for quite a hectic period in a staff member's career, but the results are well worth the effort. Though the staff earns credit for their work, being involved with Scribendi is still a "somewhat crazy labor of love."

List of past Editors and Faculty Advisors

Comments about the Scribendi experience from previous staff members