Ivy Leaves, Anderson University’s student-produced publication, released its one-hundredth edition April 22.
While each new edition of Ivy Leaves is fresh and new, the publication represents the contributions over the decades of generations of students who have expressed their creativity in print.
There aren’t too many student-produced publications that are still around more than a century after their inception. In the early years of Anderson’s existence as a higher education institution, a group of students produced a literary magazine, The pages of early issues, now yellowed with age, offer a glimpse into life at Anderson. Thankfully the online archives offers a way to explore several of the earlier issues. The titles have changed over the years, but the purpose essentially remains the same.
Produced jointly by the College of Arts and Sciences and the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University, Ivy Leaves features the work of student writers and artists. The publication is also designed and laid out by a team of dedicated students. Dr. Paige Ellisor-Catoe, chair of the Department of English, and Dr. Derek Updegraff from the English Department of the College of Arts and Sciences serve as faculty advisors, guiding the literature team. Professor Timothy Speaker from the Art and Design Department of the South Carolina School of the Arts serves as creative director for Ivy Leaves, guiding the art team as they curate artwork and photography, plan photo shoots, design the publication’s layout. The team also manages the website and social media accounts.
The Ivy Leaves literature team:
Literary Editors: Jaylee Koon, Jenna Martin, Rachel Riddle, Milena Ulrich, Emma Brightman, Corinne Lowe, Torie Johnson, Anna Leigh Avant, Darcy Hseih, Kaylie Sheriff, Claudia Sarmiento.
(Not pictured—Literary Advisor: Dr. Derek Updegraff)
The Ivy Leaves art team:
Print Design: Seniors Lily Gregory + Ethan Wright, Juniors Elise Frauenholtz + KJ Lian.
Promotional Design: Seniors Ellie Gramm + Iley Gramm, Juniors Kenzi Miller + Ellie Ruperto.
Media Design: Seniors Miriam Cabrera-Santana + Ashlee Keller, Juniors Mateo de los Cobos + Jacob Enzor + Claire Nunes.
Website Design: Senior Abby McDonald, Junior Heidi Dillow
(Not pictured—Creative Director: Prof. Tim Speaker)
More about Ivy Leaves’ great tradition of student expression can be found in a Trojan Talks blog post by Rachel Morgan.
Ivy Leaves was also selected as a 2025 A Day Cause—to grow an endowment that benefits students and to increase the journal’s readership through off-campus circulation. An event is being planned during Homecoming to celebrate the centennial edition of Ivy Leaves. More information to be announced.
Also visit the Ivy Leaves Journal website for more background information.