Athenaeum Press announced by Edwards College
The Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts is launching a unique initiative, The Athenaeum Press at Coastal Carolina University, designed to redefine learning for students as they develop and publish projects that create community engagement regionally and beyond.
Ambitious in scope, the educational mission of the press calls for every step of each project—from research to writing, conception to design, production to promotion—to involve students who will work under the direction of faculty. Projects may range from creative writing and photography to music and digital storytelling.
“Our aspirations for the press are to lead the way for student learning in print and new media publishing,” said Dan Ennis, dean of the Edwards College.
Founded at a time when print, publishing, media and culture are in a state of transition, the press will not duplicate established university presses that focus primarily on academic works and monographs. Nor will the press be a printing factory, but will concentrate instead on original editorial content and design while contracting out the actual printing.
Emphasizing quality over quantity, the press will publish a small number of original works each year in addition to publishing two academic journals and Edwards College publications already in existence, including Tapestry magazine and the university’s Cultural Arts Calendar, all involving students.
Students, faculty and community members are invited to propose humanities-based projects that provide hands-on learning and appeal to audiences outside the university community. At least one project per year will be marketed to the general public.
“The Athenaeum Press is one of the unique things about Coastal Carolina University. We see this as a model for the future,” Ennis said.
To learn more about the press, contact Trisha O’Connor, director of The Athenaeum Press, at poconno@coastal.edu or (843)349-6652. You can visit the press website at www.theathenaeumpress.com.