# The Spectrum (University at Buffalo)

The Spectrum is a student newspaper published in Buffalo, New York. It is a digital newspaper published weekly at the University at Buffalo. The Spectrum is financially independent and supports itself with online advertising. Any undergraduate at the school is eligible to register for the newspaper and its corresponding English courses, regardless of intended major.
Students who choose to write for the paper are trained in Associated Press-style writing, editing and newspaper layout. Additionally, all writers and editors are trained in journalism ethics.

## History

The Spectrum began publishing in 1950 and has since become the largest student-run newspaper in the SUNY state school system. The paper is located at 132 Student Union at the University at Buffalo. It is printed at an off-site press but distributed to multiple areas on the university's North and South campuses. New editions are distributed every Thursday during the fall and spring school semesters. Each issue prints 3,000 copies that are read by approximately 21,000 people. The paper employs over 50 UB students, as well as members of the Western New York community.
In September 2023, it was announced The Spectrum would cease print and become an online-only publication due to costs. Previously, about 3,000 copies were printed weekly during each semester, which cost the newspaper about $600 to $800 a week. The first all-digital edition was emailed in its new newsletter format on Sept. 8 with more than 500 subscribers.

## Faculty

The Spectrum is advised by Matt Parrino from the Syracuse Post Standard, who is an adjunct instructor though the English department. Jody Biehl, the former director of the school's Journalism Certificate Program, was the paper's advisor from 2009-2021.
Editors in Chief:
* 2024-2025: Ricardo Castillo
* 2023-2024: Grant Ashley
* 2022-2023: Anthony DeCicco
* 2021-2022: Reilly Mullen
* 2020: Alexandra Moyen
* 2019-2020: Brenton Blanchet
* 2017-2019: Hannah Stein
* 2016-2017: Gabriela Julia
* 2015-2016: Tom Dinki
* 2014-2015: Sara DiNatale
* 2012-2014: Aaron Mansfield
* 2011-2012: Matt Parrino
* 2010-2011: Andrew Wiktor
* 2009-2010: Stephen Marth
* 2008-2009: Stephanie Sciandra
* 2007-2008: Silas Rader
* 2006-2007: Robert Pape
* 2005-2006: Jeremy G. Burton
* 2004-2005: George Zornick
* 2003-2004: Erin Shultz
* 2002-2003: Sara Paulson
* 1997-1999:Josh Walker
* 1996-1997: Steve Watson
* 1995-1996: Bonnie Butkus
* 1994-1995: Hakeem Oseni
* 1993-1994: Joe Sbarra
* 1992-1993: Keith McShea
* 1991-1992: Tracey Rosenthal
* 1990-1991: Ian Aronson
* 1989-1990: Bill Sheridan
* 1988-1989: Gerry Weiss
* 1987-1988: Ken Lovett
* 1986-1987: Brad Pick
* 1976-1977: Richard Korman
* 1975-1976: Amy Dunkin
* 1974-1975: Larry Kraftowitz
* 1972-1973: Jo-Ann Armao
* 1969-1970 James Brennan
* 1968-1969 Linda Hanley

## Notable alumni

* Tom Toles, cartoonist (The Washington Post)
* Howard Kurtz, author and journalist (CNN, The Daily Beast)
* Jay Rosen, media critic, writer, and journalism professor at New York University
* Jo-Ann Armao, formerly assistant managing editor for metro news and now editorial writer at The Washington Post
* Harvy Lipman (b.1950 - d.2014), senior writer and columnist at The Record in northern New Jersey.
* Matt Parrino, Buffalo Bills beat reporter, former digital media director at Ultimate Fighting Championship and former sports editor at Tonawanda News.
* Lauren Nostro, former editor at Complex Networks (media) and Genius (website).
* Aaron Mansfield, editor at ESPN.
* Brian Josephs, editor at VICE News, writer featured in GQ, Billboard (Magazine) and Complex Networks (media).
* Ken Lovett, New York Daily News Albany bureau chief and former New York Post correspondent.
* Gary Stern, New York Journal News Editorial Board Leader and nationally recognized investigative reporter.
* Brenton Blanchet, reporter at People (magazine).
* Hannah Stein, producer at Fox Business.
* Benjamin Blanchet, reporter at HuffPost.

## Awards

* 2014 College Media Association National College Media Leader of the Year: Aaron Mansfield
* 2014 College Media Association Pinnacle Award, Best Collegiate Sports Columnist: Aaron Mansfield
* 2013 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence, Sports Column Writing: Aaron Mansfield
* 2013 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence, General News Reporting: Sam Fernando and Aaron Mansfield
* 2013 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker, Sports Story of the Year -
"Lee, and they will follow" (By Aaron Mansfield)
* 2012 Society of Professional Journalists Mark of Excellence, Sports Column Writing: Aaron Mansfield
* 2012 Associated Collegiate Press Pacemaker, Sports Story of the Year -
"The X-Files" (By Matt Parrino)
* 2012 College Media Association Runner-up, Best Student Media Leader: Matt Parrino -
* 2006 Columbia Scholastic Press Association Gold Circle/Collegiate Circle Award for Entertainment Reviews -
Reggae with Chutzpah (by Alexander Nasarewsky)
* 1972 Robert F. Kennedy Journalism Award Honorable Mention College -
"Health Care Crisis" (by Al Benson)