The Collegiate Challenge, December 8, 1972

The Collegiate Challenge, later known simply as The Challenge, is a student-run paper at Tacoma Community College. The paper was published from the very start of the college, making it a valuable resource in the history of the college and the student experience.

After several early title changes and an unnamed period, the paper’s name was chosen by the students in 1966. The first student editor-in-chief was Jim Simpson, and the first faculty advisor was Monty Jones. The staff was picked from interested students. Editors and reporters participated in journalism classes up until 2007. Courses that tied to the Challenge included Communications 100 circa 1967-1968; and Journalism 100, 201 (reporting), 202 (news and feature writing), 203 (copy editing, markup) circa 1974-1975. According the the 1986 Student Handbook, a few positions on the Challenge staff were paid. The newspaper published campus, local, and sometimes broader state and national news, as well as creative work by and for the students.

After 2006, The Challenge ceased publication of a print edition and went digital. As there is no longer a Journalism program at TCC, publication has become more sporadic in recent years.