In 1918, St. Louis College began a monthly publication edited by students called The St. Louis College Bulletin. That newspaper was replaced by The St. Mary’s College Bulletin when the name of the institution was changed in 1923.

On Oct. 15, 1924, a schoolwide contest was held to choose a new name for the college publication. A $5 prize was offered to whomever could decide on an appropriate replacement title for the St. Mary’s College Bulletin. The winning moniker – The Rattler – was said to have been chosen because of its merit and local flavor.

The student newspaper soon became a bimonthly publication and it harvested many honors.

“Over the years, The Rattler has received numerous awards for excellence. As well, the newspaper’s editors have been recognized on many different occasions,” said Brother Robert Wood, S.M., director of University Archives.

From 1932, when it joined the organization, to 1941, The Rattler won All-American honors from the National Scholastic Press Association four times. Annual subscriptions to the popular school paper were sold to alumni and students for $1.

In 1926, St. Mary’s College became St. Mary’s University. Almost 80 years after the printing of its first issue as The Rattler, the student newspaper remains a bimonthly periodical focusing primarily on campus activities and personalities. It is now distributed free.