Housed in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, The Script begins a new chapter as a publication for students, by students.
HAMPTON, Va. — Oct. 7, 2026 — The Hampton Script is entering a new era of student journalism with the launch of its first print issue under student leadership. The launch will take place Oct. 22 at noon in the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications Auditorium (546 E. Queen Street, Hampton, VA 23668).
Guests will have the opportunity to network with the student reporters who helped bring the publication to life, learn more about the development and reporting behind their stories, and hear their perspectives on how they plan to use The Script to strengthen and amplify the student Voice.
Now housed within Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications, the publication is shifting its focus toward providing independent,
student-driven coverage of the issues, people and experiences shaping the Hampton University community through a digital format with the addition of two print issues per academic year.
The Script has served the Hampton University community with campus and local news since 1928. Its transition to a student-led publication marks a new chapter in that nearly century-long history, placing Hampton students at the forefront of the publication’s reporting, editorial decisions and storytelling.
“Here at Hampton, we are all here for you. We love our students, and even if you make a little misstep, the whole idea is to make you into a well-rounded person,” says President Darrell K. Williams ’83. “The University doesn’t expand by people staying in their boxes; it expands because you have a great idea and you’re not afraid to do something new. So I would encourage all of you to be bold and use your voice. Don’t be afraid and don’t take counsel of your fears. If you have an idea, try it.”
The transition also provides student journalists with an opportunity to gain hands-on newsroom experience while creating a publication centered on the voices and perspectives of the student Body.
“One of my priorities as dean has been to expand hands-on, experiential learning because journalism students must not only study journalism—they must practice it,” says Dean Julia A. Wilson. “The Hampton Script gives our students a real-world newsroom where they learn the responsibility that comes with publishing information for real audiences. They must ask difficult but fair questions, verify information, seek various perspectives, meet deadlines, and uphold the standards of accuracy, fairness, and ethics that we teach in the classroom. This transition creates a strong bridge between academic instruction and professional practical experience. At the end of the day, we are preparing students to not only graduate with journalism and communications degrees, but to enter the professions with the required skills, judgment, confidence – and experience to become the next generation of media leaders.”
For the student staff behind The Script, the first debut issue represents more than the return of a printed newspaper. It establishes a new identity for the publication and an opportunity to build a newsroom that reflects the Hampton community.
“The Script represents more than university news. It’s the student voice in all formats that we value and how we plan to continue to prosper and lead,” says Editor-In-Chief, L. Ceri Mundrati. The first student-led print issue will feature stories identified by The Script’s student staff as
significant to the Hampton community, including “Standing Tall: Max Frazier Bets on Himself in Final Season,” “Outnumbered: How Hampton’s Gender Gap Influences Campus Culture” and “From Campus to the Ballot Box: Hampton Students Prepare for the Midterms.”
With coverage spanning sports, lifestyle, politics, science and more, the issue reflects the range of interests and experiences within Hampton’s student body. The publication will continue covering the stories that matter to students while expanding its digital and multimedia presence.
As The Script approaches a century of documenting life at Hampton University, its student staff hopes this new chapter will preserve that legacy while creating a publication Hampton students can see themselves reflected in.
About The Hampton Script
The Hampton Script is the student-led news publication of Hampton University, housed within the Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications. Established in 1928, The Script covers news, culture, sports, student life, and issues affecting the Hampton University community.
About The Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications
The Hampton University Scripps Howard School of Journalism and Communications is committed to preparing its students with a high-quality and well-rounded education for global careers in journalism and strategic communications. SHSJC emphasizes accuracy, balance, fairness, integrity, and high ethical standards of excellence through journalism and strategic communications. The Scripps Howard brand is internationally renowned as an educational foundation that promotes, supports, and enables aspiring journalists.
RSVP for “The Hampton Script: A New Chapter” Official Launch via:
https://partiful.com/e/JaxhQmVvc2ff4aOKaIe3?c=tUJNuq7O
Media Contact:
L. Ceri Mundrati
Editor-in-Chief, The Hampton Script
(757) 727-540
