The Dickinson Science Magazine debuted its inaugural issue at its Friday, April 18 launch party in the Rector Atrium.

The semi-formal affair featured speeches by Editor-in-Chief Gloria Hwang ’16, Managing Editor Lydia Marks ’14, Executive Layout Editor Michaela Shaw ‘16, President Nancy Roseman, and faculty advisor Mary Niblock, assistant professor of biology.

As Hwang explained in her speech, the mission of the magazine is “to inform, educate and inspire students with campus-wide and global science news, research and opinions.” Professor Niblock stated that DSM “Represents science happening in Dickinson today,” and that it would “inspire everyone to pursue excellence at Dickinson.”

“[The magazine] is a community effort and it sets a high bar for all other publications,” Roseman said in her speech.

Following the speeches, copies of the magazine were distributed to the attendants at the party, which included students, professors, administration and prospective students.

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The event itself was considered a success by those involved.

“I’m really excited about the turnout and sharing the magazine with the community,” said Shaw. Many students acquired multiple copies of the magazine to give to their families and friends. The issue was unveiled following the speeches and copies were made available to attendees.

“We had a great turn out for the launch party. Many DSM staff members, friends, families, professors, and students came to help celebrate the launching of the inaugural issue,” said Hwangg. “We have been receiving feedback, article ideas, themes suggestions for our next issue, and requests to join our staff. We’ve also been getting emails from alumni, who have access to our online publication, asking if our magazine can be mailed to them. Overall, the Dickinson community has been very receptive to our new publication and I’m excited to start working on the next issue!”

The magazine was created to “inform, educate and inspire students with campus-wide and global science news,” explained Hwang in an interview with the Dickinsonian shortly after the group was recognized at the end of the Fall 2013 semester.

The magazine received funding shortly after their approval and began collecting articles at the start of the 2014 Spring semester.

The magazine staff worked on layout and content for much of the 2014 Spring semester, and –according to Hwang – plans on releasing two issues a year, one in the Spring and one in the Fall. The staff worked closely with the media and printing center to help with the professional design of the magazine, hoping to learn more as they go so as to make the process easier in the future. Over thirty people contributed to this first issue, with submissions beginning as early as the start of the semester. Drawing from multiple academic departments and programs, the magazine sought to gather a diverse variety of sources from which to approach articles. This includes debates about scientific activity, asides on the histories of scientific principles and other approaches that mix science with other fields to provide a more cohesive view of the sciences and their place on campus.

The magazine hopes to maintain a concrete presence on campus and expand its influence. They are looking to augment the staff going forward for a deeper pool of contributors. A digital copy has been made available on ISSUU.com for anyone who was unable to attend the event.

Anyone interested in joining the staff can email [email protected] or join the Facebook page for updates on the next issue.