When I sat down to write the Editor’s note, commemorating our centennial year, I couldn’t help but think of the first editorial we published back in 1926.
“You have in your hands today, the College Cord—a printed College paper at last. A dream has been realized, a desire fulfilled, and another chapter of achievement added to the story of Waterloo College. And we are viewing today the birth of a College year as well as the birth of a college paper. They lie before us with all their unbounded possibilities hidden in the glamour of the unknown.” Cord Editorial, September 23, 1926
A century ago, a dream was realized, and here I am a hundred years later still trying to uncover that ‘glamour of the unknown’, with the students of Wilfrid Laurier University standing strong, 115 years later. Yet another chapter of achievement added to our story!
Over these last hundred years, a lot has changed, and our views also kept evolving with it. But one thing that still remains unchanged is the motto behind why this paper was started—to be the tie that binds the Laurier student community. I would like to thank everyone who kept this paper going over these last hundred years, through thick and thin, one issue at a time.
“By means of a “Cord” we draw; and by means of the “College Cord” we must draw the interest of men and women to our school, draw students within her walls, draw students and faculty into closer sympathy and draw the hearts of all together in a common love for Waterloo. In it shall we find the record of our common hopes, our common joys, our common sorrows—it shall be a common “Cord” of sympathy. “The College Cord” shall be “a tie that binds,” Cord Editorial, September 23, 1926
On this historic year, I cordially invite all of you to join us in revisiting the history of this paper and, with that, the history of the university. Thank you to Laurier Archives and Special Collections for their support in this journey. Going through these special collections was a fascinating experience. I hope to share that with all of you.
Finally, I am delighted to say you have in your hands today, The Cord’s Centennial Year in Print Special Edition, with all its unbounded possibilities. I would like to thank all the contributors, staff, and volunteers for their efforts in putting this issue together.
Graphic by Anna Koehler
