The Haverfordian

“The Havefordian” was a monthly student literary publication founded in the spring of 1879. The mission statement, as found in their first edition from June 25, 1879, asserted that the Haverfordian was “the official organ of the students of Haverford College, and is published monthly during the College year.” Two men involved with the beginning of the Haverfordian were Walter C. Hadley and Dr. Townsend. While it was founded under the auspices of the Loganian Society, it was self-supporting from the start. By November of 1931, its mission statement had expanded to assert that “It’s purpose is to foster a literary spirit among the undergraduates. To that end contributions are invited.” While at first the publication was scrutinized by the Managers of Haverford College, “it was destined to live and prosper and become a prominent feature of the literary work of the students… many a student here saw, for the first time, how his productions looked in print, and was thus stimulated to more care in composition. ” (A History of Haverford College for the First Sixty Years of its Existence, 444-445). The Haverfordian also published cricket scores, which was seen as an impetus to encourage students to practice and improve. The Haverfordian eventually caused the demise of another publication, called the Collegian.