It’s been a hard slog for SUNY Purchase journalism professor, Andrew Salomon, and his dedicated crew of staffers, but The Beat is finally out and they are celebrating tonight with a launch party. All are welcome: today, Sept. 19, at The Stood from 5:30 onwards.
There’ll be food and drink. But, more importantly, there’ll be performances by beat-boxer, Spencer Polanco, and Purchase band, Coyote Campus.
Independently funded by 96 backers who donated over $5,000 through Kickstarter, The Beat is what SUNY Purchase has been crying out for: a publication about music and arts on campus that showcases the work of journalists, editors, designers and photographers as well as the artists and musicians they feature in their pages.
To critics who say that print is dead and that digital is the way forward, Prof. Salomon, in his memorable Letter from the Publisher, says: “I don’t care.” And in my experience, neither do many students, who, though they may be digital creatures are often drawn to tangible products like vinyl records and glossy print magazines.
Those who attend the party can get early copies of the mag, which includes an interview with Spencer Polanco, the seventeenth greatest beatboxer in America; Purchase’s Grammy-winning musician, Dr. Joe Ferry; and Purchase band, Mokaad. The magazine will then be officially available on Thursday.
The Beat’s staff include some of the stars from the journalism program and was designed by talent from the school of Art and Design. The Editor-in-Chief, Briana Rodriguez, and Managing Editor, Scott Duwe, are Purchase alums.
For his efforts launching The Beat, Prof. Salomon was given a fancy-pants inscribed glass award by Purchase president Thomas Schwarz during Convocation. He deserves it. And so do the students who’ve worked so hard to get this wonderful new addition to the Purchase campus off the ground!
The Beat: Feel it. Follow it. And, if I might add, Read it.
journoprof 