Like BYU-Idaho, the campus newspaper has changed throughout the years. Although journalism has adapted, Scroll has kept its eye on a single goal: inform, inspire and entertain the campus and Rexburg community.
Scroll is BYU-I’s oldest campus organization and was born in 1905. Since then, it has undergone five name changes, and it has endured several different formats.
- The Student Rays, a booklet and newspaper from 1905 to 1932.
- The Purple Flash, a newspaper from 1933 to 1937.
- Viking Flashes, a newspaper from 1937 to 1938.
- The Viking Scroll, a newspaper 1938 to 1973.
- The Scroll, a newspaper from 1973 to 2019.
- Scroll, an online news organization from 2019 to present.
The Student Rays
The Student Rays was published irregularly from 1905 to 1932. It was produced in a booklet format, sometimes with a purple cover, and featured hand-drawn art from students and faculty.
This newspaper featured advertisements from local businesses, especially local agricultre. The booklet was community-focused and produced nearly once a month. It included special holiday and graduation editions. The subscription price was 50 cents.
One editorial written in 1907 said in its commencement issue, “After several months of hard study we are well prepared to enjoy the relaxation and pleasure that commencement will afford; to look back upon the school year of 1906-07 and profit by the lessons it taught; and to face the future with a renewed determination to continue the work of getting an education.”
In the 1920s, The Student Rays began printing in newspaper format. It published poetry and religious sections along with news and campus life.
Advertisements were featured in the paper which strengthened
the local economy. Image credit: BYU-Idaho Scrolls Collection.
The Student Rays published special holiday issues, like the Christmas
issue from 1909. Image credit: BYU-Idaho Scrolls Collection.
The Purple Flash
In 1933, the newspaper was renamed The Purple Flash in order to better focus on a student audience. It was published from 1933 to 1937.
The Purple Flash featured Columns like Aunt Jerusha’s Corner which talked about student life and covered topics like dating, missions, holidays and classes.
The Purple Flash was printed in newspaper format from 1933 to 1937.
Image credit: Isabelle Justice.
The Purple Flash had comedy and advice columns, like The Keyhole Kid and
Aunt Jerusha’s Corner. Image credit: BYU-Idaho Scrolls Collection.
Viking Flashes
In 1937, the newspaper was renamed Viking Flashes. The name was chosen through a student competition and the winner received a two-and-a-half pound box of candy. Before Viking Flashes was chosen, one edition was published without a name and instead featured several question marks in place of the title.
The paper wrote, “Because of the fact that the judges were not satisfied with the names submitted, the staff has deemed it advisable to re-open the contest for the best name for the paper.”
Viking Flashes was published irregularly until 1938.
The Viking Scroll
Finally, the newspaper chose the name The Viking Scroll in 1938. The newspaper featured a Viking mascot on the cover and was produced bi-weekly.
The Viking Scroll was campus not community focused. It was in production for 35 years.
The Scroll
In 1973, “Viking” was dropped and the newspaper became The Scroll, a name that is recognized today. It was printed in a newspaper format and covered local and national issues.
The Scroll covered issues such as the Teton Flood, the turn of the century, 9/11 and church news.
Scroll
In the 2010s, The Scroll dropped “The” and the newspaper was referred to as Scroll.
In 2019, Scroll ended its newspaper production and went completely online. It is now a current news organization that covers regional, campus and religious issues through its website and social media.
All printed newspapers and booklets can be viewed online at the BYU-Idaho Scrolls Collection from the BYU Library.
Physical copies are available at Special Collection & Archives in the David O. McKay Library at BYU-I.
The Final Weekly Edition can be found on Behance by Jenna Schwarz, a previous staff member of The Scroll.