Onward State: The Evolution of Penn State's Digital Alternative Media
In the landscape of collegiate journalism, few outlets have captured the spirit of student life as vividly as Onward State. Founded during a pivotal shift in how information is consumed, the platform emerged not just as a news source, but as a digital-first alternative to traditional campus media, blending hard-hitting journalism with irreverent student commentary.
The Birth of a Digital Alternative
Onward State was established in November 2008 by three freshmen—Davis Shaver, Eli Glazier, and Evan Kalikow—within the dormitories of Simmons Hall at Penn State. The catalyst for the site was Davis Shaver's observation that existing local media outlets were failing to adapt to the digital age. At the time, even the official school newspaper, The Daily Collegian, lacked a Facebook page until 2009 and relied heavily on automated Twitter feeds.
Shaver initially hoped to modernize The Daily Collegian from within, but when the established paper showed little interest in changing its approach, the founders decided to build their own platform from the ground up.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]From Cult Following to Mainstream Recognition
The website launched its first post on November 17, 2008, reporting an unsubstantiated rumor about a performance by Girl Talk at Penn State—a claim that eventually proved true. This early success helped the site cultivate a cult following among students, faculty, and administrators.
Initially, Onward State functioned as a news aggregator (a tool that collects related items of content from various online sources) and was well-known for its snarky tone. Much of this satire was aimed at then-President Graham Spanier, whom the site nicknamed "G-Span." The outlet even featured a satirical column titled "The View from the University House," written in Spanier's name.
National Accolades and Journalistic Growth
By early 2009, the site gained national attention when it won the "Best Alternative Media Outlet" contest organized by Alison Go of U.S. News & World Report. Onward State beat out competitors from prestigious institutions including Yale, Columbia, Georgetown, and UC Berkeley.
The platform's transition toward serious original journalism occurred on September 21, 2009, when it became the first media outlet to report the death of freshman Joe Dado. This break in news led to a massive increase in traffic and established the site as a legitimate journalistic entity. In subsequent years, the team provided critical coverage of student riots following the death of Osama Bin Laden, THON, and State Patty's Day.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Balancing Irreverence and Sustainability
Despite its growth in hard news, Onward State maintained its identity through lighthearted student-life reporting. Popular features included "Drunk, Sober, High," "Overheard at Penn State," and quirky discoveries, such as locating the only Coca-Cola machine on campus.
To ensure the platform's longevity after the founders graduated, Onward State was sold to Lazerpro Digital Media Group in March 2011. This partnership created a sustainable business model: Lazerpro manages web hosting and revenue streams, while an all-student staff continues to autonomously manage the daily operations, writing, and editing of content.
| Year | Event/Milestone | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Founded in Simmons Hall | Launched as a digital-first alternative to traditional campus media. |
| 2009 | Best Alternative Media Outlet Win | Beat Ivy League blogs to gain national recognition. |
| 2009 | Joe Dado Report | First major original news break leading to mainstream recognition. |
| 2011 | Acquisition by Lazerpro | Ensured financial sustainability and resource improvement. |
| 2011 | Sandusky Scandal Coverage | Experienced massive traffic surge and doubled Twitter following. |
The Sandusky Scandal Impact
The breaking of the Penn State child sex abuse scandal in November 2011 served as a turning point for the site's reach. Through live coverage and constant updates via a live blog, Onward State became a primary source for a national audience. The surge in interest was so intense that the website's servers crashed under a load ten times greater than normal, and its Twitter following jumped from 7,500 to 15,000 in just two weeks.
Key Facts
- Founders: Davis Shaver, Eli Glazier, and Evan Kalikow.
- Launch Date: November 2008.
- Business Model: Owned by Lazerpro Digital Media Group, but operated autonomously by students.
- Key Achievement: Won "Best Alternative Media Outlet" in 2009 against several Ivy League schools.
- Digital Impact: Twitter following doubled during the 2011 Sandusky scandal coverage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Onward State created?
It was created because founder Davis Shaver felt that existing local media, including The Daily Collegian, were not adapting quickly enough to the digital age and social media.
Who currently manages the content of Onward State?
The website's content and day-to-day operations are managed autonomously by an all-student staff.
What is the relationship between Onward State and Lazerpro Digital Media Group?
Lazerpro acquired the site in 2011 to provide financial sustainability, managing the web hosting and revenue streams while leaving editorial control to the students.
What was the first post ever published on the site?
The first post, published on November 17, 2008, was a rumor regarding a performance by Girl Talk at Penn State.
How did the Sandusky scandal affect the website?
The scandal caused a massive traffic spike that crashed the servers and doubled the site's Twitter following from 7,500 to 15,000 within two weeks.