A group of about 25 Penn State students have banded together to create Agora, a publication designed to allow the open discussion of provocative issues affecting college students.
Agora editor Sean Healy (junior-political science) said he was unable to find a lengthy publication focused on the liberal arts after transferring to the University Park campus. Arthur Goldschmidt, a professor emeritus of Middle East history, encouraged Healy to create his own -- and Agora was born.
Goldschmidt suggested the name, which is a Greek word for a marketplace where ideas can be openly exchanged, Healy said. The group hopes to be that place for students.
"We wanted a title that meant something, had more than face value," he said.
Brett Hoyer (junior-sociology and marketing), Agora's sociology and diversity department head, said he wants the publication to encourage students to focus on the major issues society faces. He'd like to write a piece about Troy Davis, a man who's been on death row for 20 years despite seven of nine witnesses in the case withdrawing their statements.
Agora is still in development, but the four-member executive staff has written a constitution, forming a solid foundation for the publication's development.
Healy said he doesn't want the staff to be male dominated, but there are currently just three female staffers. His goal is to have 35 members and a diverse staff and setting. Agora will be published six times a year, and Healy said he hopes to have the first issue out after winter break.
Mohammad Rouda (junior-history and international politics), Agora's associate editor, said he was eager to get involved when Healy came to him with the idea at the start of the semester.
Rouda said he hopes to hear people talking about Agora and debating issues that aren't really discussed. And he wants it to last: He'd hope to see people still reading the publication 20 years from now.
"I'm just looking forward to seeing a successful publication with a wide range of topics discussed," he said.
