As stated in the “About” section of our website, The Threefold’s been around for quite a while now — 1937, in fact. Ever since the past year, our team has been reflecting on our work and legacy, especially as we see some of the last Communication students on campus graduate this semester. I unexpectedly found myself caught in these musings while researching for an article on some of the trailblazing women of JBU. One of my primary sources for this task was a JBU history book by renowned Gateway author Rick Ostrander, titled “Head, Heart, and Hand: John Brown University and Modern Evangelical Higher Education.” I primarily used Ostrander’s text due to his willingness to bluntly discuss the challenges and misgivings of JBU in its history, especially compared to some uncomfortably gracious authors. My research naturally led me to many locations that contained discussions of diversity and challenging issues. I was surprised, however, to see The Threefold’s name mentioned so consistently. My curiosity got the best of me, and I knew I had to write another article.
Ostrander’s book contains few mentions of The Threefold Advocate before his discussion of the 60s. It is only referenced in relation to the initial lack of academic excellence seen in JBU’s developing years. However, we finally got our own few paragraphs of history in the student culture of the 60s and 70s section. Ostrander gives a brief overview of the protests and uproar brought on by college students in this period, comparing it to the severe lack of student dissent at JBU. Although students were generally not in contention with the administration politically, due to a primarily conservative student body, differing opinions were likely to be kept under the radar by administration. In fact, The Threefold editors had to be approved by faculty before receiving a position. “In 1966, when the two candidates for Threefold Advocate editor advocated a more independent voice for the newspaper, both were rejected … The following year, the successful nominee earned faculty approval by proclaiming, ‘Student viewpoints which are contrary to administration viewpoints should not be published in the paper.’” Her successor the next year pledged “continued support of the traditions and basic ideals of the university.”
Two years later, in 1968, a freelance archaeologist named Wendell Phillips was invited to campus to give what Ostrander suggests was a relatively boring chapel address. It seems that times really haven’t changed. However, Phillips agreed to an exclusive interview with The Threefold, in which he bluntly asserted his doubts about the infallibility of the Bible, the virgin birth and the second coming of Christ. In response, “students were outraged, and the normally docile Threefold Advocate reverberated with criticisms of the administration’s judgement in inviting Phillips to campus.” Following the Phillips controversy, in 1969, JBU student culture became more reflective of their peers. Students became vocally upset with their lack of freedom of expression, the strict and uptight rules and especially the authoritarian structure of administration. “In particular, students demanded greater personal freedom, more racial diversity on campus, and above all more input in decision-making. Remarked one student in the pages of the Threefold Advocate, ‘we need to be given a voice and listened to.’”
As protests broke out across campus and administration was scrambling to find a solution, an outside consultant suggested granting student freedom to denounce the authoritarianism of small colleges. Thus, faculty became more willing to host forums in dormitories to listen to student input. The Threefold interviewed John Brown himself, who said he was more willing to listen to student concerns. Finally, we earned our freedom. In 1969, the faculty finally turned over approval of The Threefold Advocate editorial staff to student affairs, finally granting the student body and journalists freedom of expression. Ultimately, this was a watershed moment for our publication. It is after this point Ostrander refers to us as the silenced and unheard voice of the student body, as our articles were adequately able to express.
Closely following the liberation of The Threefold, in 1971, “a student penned a scathing criticism of the ‘Christian Americanism’ rhetoric of John Brown University and the ‘Christian America pep talks’ that students were subjected to.” During the rise of the Vietnam War, we became the home of student discussion and thought on American involvement. Opinions ranged from support to withdrawal on a moral basis. As Ostrander puts it, “Such diversity of views had typically been squelched in previous years” (165). The Threefold also served as a strong advocate for minority inclusion on campus, as we were a historically white, evangelical university. In 1969, we published an editorial endorsing Black Studies programs in colleges across the country and recommended showing Black heritage films at JBU. A highly influential Threefold survey in administrative decision-making asked, “Would you welcome Negro students if some were enrolled at JBU? Eighty seven percent of students responded in the affirmative.” We even spoke out on the issue of faith integration in education, with a 1970 editorial boldly stating, “When any so-called authority in any area conflicts with a clear statement of God’s inspired Word, then that writer is to be avoided.”
To me, the story of The Threefold brings great meaning and depth to our work in the present. Although times have changed, and for the better, the relationship between the administration and student body at our small evangelical college has retained somewhat its historical character. However, rather than refusing to listen to any of its students, many have found that administration just listens to the majority. And, as it often goes, it is rarely the majority who finds reason to dissent. There are still students at JBU who feel voiceless and unheard, as there always will be. As much as I would like to say there will always be a Threefold to speak for them, I can’t make that claim with certainty. Frankly, the remnant of the Communication department has found itself joining this minority. My co-workers and friends are saying goodbye to classes, a beloved professor, a cherished workspace. Considering how this semester has gone for us, I wouldn’t be surprised if we find ourselves battling to survive in my next two years at JBU. But if you’ve learned anything from the overbearingly long history lesson I gave you in this piece, I hope it’s that The Threefold is an essential voice here on campus. Not only do we possess the capability to inspire well-needed change, but our writing preserves authentic student opinion and discourse throughout time, no matter how far it differs from administrative viewpoints. And that’s something I’m willing to put up a fight for.