Treveccan History

Communicating to a specific community of faith through newsletters and other publications is a tradition that Trevecca can trace back to its very roots. As early as 1903, J.O. McClurkan himself served as editor of Living Water, a weekly printed publication described as an “‘undenominational paper without worldly advertisements.”’

Trevecca began printing its own newsletter, the Trevecca Messenger, in the 1920’s. Issues of the publication from as early as 1934 can still be found in Waggoner Library’s digital archives ( its name by then had been shortened to The Messenger). Topics covered in a few of these early newsletters by President Dr. C.E. Hardy included the formation of Trevecca Junior College and the school’s move to a temporary location on Woodland Street.

Like the University itself, Trevecca’s newsletter evolved over the decades, expanding its focus to include alumni updates, athletics and other subjects as well as general news. In the spring of 1975, the publication for Trevecca Nazarene College published its first issue as the Treveccan.

In the fall of 1992, the Treveccan transitioned from its traditional multi-page newsletter layout to adopt the full color, magazine-style format that alumni still receive through the mail today. Within a decade or so, the magazine would also be replicated online for digital viewing.

With an alumni base of 30,000 students that now extends across the globe to more than 25,000 former Trevecca students—along with the technology that makes their stories more accessible than ever before—the needconcept of to sharing Treveccan content in a digital format has become crucial. Treveccan Online is now a primary channel for alumni communications, ensuring broad access to relevant information, without restrictions in location or timing.