The Southern Accent is the official student newspaper of Southern Adventist University (SAU) in Collegedale, Tennessee. Founded in 1926 as The Southland Scroll, it was renamed The Southern Accent in 1945. The paper is produced weekly in tabloid format and operates both in print and online, with coverage extending from campus life to the surrounding Collegedale community.
The publication began in 1926 under the title The Southland Scroll. It served as the first organized student journalistic outlet for what would later become Southern Adventist University. From 1929 until 1945 the paper functioned as the primary student voice, chronicling campus events and student life.
In 1945, the newspaper adopted its present name, The Southern Accent. The change reflected a desire to modernize the publicationâÂÂs identity and more accurately represent its mission as the expressive voice of the student body. Over subsequent decades, the paper solidified its status as a consistent weekly publication under university ownership.
Throughout the 20th century and into the digital era, The Southern Accent has evolved from a traditional student newsletter into a professional-style newspaper covering campus, local, and national stories of relevance to students. The publicationâÂÂs categories now include News, Collegedale News, Mental Health, Sports, Religion, Opinion, and Lifestyle.
The Southern Accent serves as the voice of the student body, providing campus-focused journalism while addressing social, academic, religious, and cultural issues. Its editorial scope includes:
The publication operates within the context of the universityâÂÂs Seventh-day Adventist values while maintaining a student-driven editorial process.
The newspaper is run by students under the guidance of a faculty adviser. Key positions such as Editor-in-Chief, Managing Editor, and Section Editors are typically filled by undergraduate students majoring in journalism, communication, or related fields. Staff members gain professional experience in writing, editing, design, and web publication.
Funding is derived from the university, student media fees, and advertising revenue. The print edition is distributed weekly throughout campus and nearby community venues, while the online version serves as a continuously updated news source. The Southern Accent also collaborates with the Center for Community News to strengthen local reporting partnerships.
Although part of the SAU student media network, The Southern Accent maintains a degree of editorial independence. It frequently covers issues involving campus policy, student government, and community developments, serving as a bridge between the student body, administration, and the wider Collegedale community.
The Southern Accent organizes its reporting into several categories:
While a student newspaper, The Southern Accent frequently reports on matters of regional and civic significance. Examples include:
Such stories demonstrate the publicationâÂÂs role in connecting the university community with broader civic issues.
The newspaper maintains an active online presence through its website and social media. Articles are published digitally alongside the print edition, with photo galleries, multimedia features, and student profiles. The website functions as an archive of past editions and a hub for current campus reporting.
Although specific awards are not listed publicly, SAU journalism students involved in The Southern Accent have historically participated in regional college media associations. Alumni of the newspaper have gone on to careers in journalism, media production, education, and communication fields. Future expansions of this article may include notable alumni and awards once verified through university archives.