Oglethorpe's literary magazine: The Tower

When Dr. Justin Haynes first started working at Oglethorpe University in the fall of 2022, he heard talk about The Tower. This mythical name belongs to the university’s literary magazine that started over 50 years ago. The organization is named for its meeting place in the room at the very top of Lowry Hall—just over the museum. Its beginnings—similar to that of the Dead Poet’s Society with annual art events under the stars and twice-yearly poetry publications—fell to the wayside in 2020 due to COVID-19. 

2026 edition of The Tower | Photo by Iris French

“I worked on a similar journal when I was in college,” said Haynes. He understood how important a creative outlet, like a literary magazine, can be for students who wish to continue as writers. “It serves as a great archive for students who want to continue to write.” It can ground them into the reality of “how they’re evolving.” Students can look back on their past pieces and remember when they were experimenting with different forms and ideas—and even learn how to continue this creative practice “as a more mature writer.” 

With this in mind, Haynes reinstated The Tower during his first semester at Oglethorpe. The Tower historically focused on traditional creative works, such as poetry and short fiction. The first editors of the revitalized publication, however, decided to expand it to include various forms of creative works, such as visual arts, screenplays, and even QR codes linking to musical compositions. 

Interior page of 2026 The Tower | Photo by Iris French

Haynes is not the only person who relays the importance of The Tower to Oglethorpe. Editor-in-Chief Freya Gouinlock ‘27 brings her own perspective as a student. “It’s a place where [students’] voice[s] can always be heard,” she said. “It's a safe environment to put your foot in the door if you're interested in publishing creatively at all.” 

Eden Lipham ‘26, a contributor of this year’s edition of The Tower, said, “I wish I was aware [of the magazine] sooner…There's a lot of invisible labor that goes into uplifting these pieces.”

Another contributor, Victoria Linton-Evans ‘26, said “It’s nice to…publish something,” even if it's in a magazine as small as The Tower. It gives a “feeling of accomplishment. I think it’s a good opportunity, and I think it’s fun.” 

A lot of students at Oglethorpe, however, seem to not have a lot of awareness of The Tower. “I think it’s very underground,” said Abby Scott ‘29, another contributor. “I don’t think [The Tower] is publicized well” because it lacks a larger social media presence. Unless the student had a professor recommend the publication in class, or they are checking the flyers regularly, “they could miss it really easily.” 

Linton-Evans said, “I don’t really see [The Tower] put around campus that much. Normally there’s posters” for other organizations, “but, honestly, I think…it’s tiny in its own way.” Those who are aware of what a literary magazine is probably don’t even realize that “Oglethorpe is able to have one of those.” 

Gouinlock believes that the lack of awareness of The Tower is more than just a marketing issue on the staff’s end. “It’s difficult to encourage people to put their creative work out there,” she says. “It’s not that [The Tower isn’t] marketable, it’s that other people have to be willing to put themselves out there.” 

Haynes notes the importance of making sure The Tower stays at the forefront of the minds of everyone on campus. “I think it’s not just important for the students,” continued Haynes. “I think it’s important for the institution. Humanities is getting sidelined.” Programs where students make more money after college—such as business programs or STEM programs—are being prioritized in the hopes that, as alumni, these students give back to their institutions. 

Linton-Evans sees this happening on Oglethorpe’s campus. “I think it’s nice to have something that showcases the humanities…instead of just STEM,” they said. “When you say you’re presenting at LASS [Liberal Arts and Sciences Symposium] or PRISM [Posters of Research in Science and Mathematics], [students] say it’s cool. When you say you’re [submitting] to The Tower, they’re like, ‘What is The Tower?’” 

Haynes confers that while it’s understandable universities want to prioritize their successful programs, this usually means that the humanities departments take an “early beating” by being defunded or removed entirely. Publications like The Tower, however, remind people of the importance of creativity. “The idea of critical thinking doesn’t just” come from a job that earns you a paycheck, continued Haynes. “You’re well-rounded beyond just well-compensated in your next job.” 

The Tower reception | Photo by Iris French

The Tower officially rounded off the 2026 spring semester with their annual launch party on Tuesday, April 21. Contributors of the magazine, as well as other supportive students, gathered together to read through the works of their fellow peers. With an estimate of thirty attendees having the 100-page publication in their hands, the members of The Tower would consider this a successful year. 

If you wish to support The Tower through their transition into new leadership the following academic year, please consider contributing your own creative works for the 2027 publication. Additionally, spread awareness through word of mouth, as that is always the best way to promote such a small publication.