Volume 1, Issue 1 of The Berkeley Beacon was published on Saturday, February 1, 1947. Boylston Green, Emerson’s president at the time, helped create the Beacon (and WECB). He penned the Beacon’s first letter to the editor, outlining his vision for the newspaper:

Its whole purpose is to anatomize and vitalize the spirit that makes the college what it is. Fearlessly, courageously and consistently it must point out the faults in any existing situation. And even more importantly it must make constructive suggestions.

He also wrote about the Beacon’s editorial duties and influence:

Students and faculty alike will look to it for judgment and direction. Its editorial page, with space allotted for the printing of letters from contributors, will guarantee freedom of speech, and will become an anvil upon which loyal Emersonians can forge and formulate the ideas and ideals that will direct the thinking and actions of the men and women of the college.

“I have little doubt as to the bright future of The Berkeley Beacon,” he concluded.

Also, there’s this wonderful snippet on the front page:

…my, there’s a lot of cute boys running around this place. Do you suppose the one who’s giving away all those theatre passes is looking for a date?