Until January 1968, when underclassmen took over editorial positions, The Heights had, with rare exception, run “tombstones” on each side of the newspaper’s masthead, as replicated above, from the January 13, 1967 issue. (The whippersnappers also changed the title’s font, going away from the traditional gothic type. Harrumph.)
Early on, the tombstones primarily pointed to content inside, or urged on the sports teams. Indeed, the message on the first issue of The Heights we saw as freshmen (September 25, 1964) was “Head For The Point . . . And Let’s Beat Army.”
As the years went on, the messages carried in the tombstones sometimes got a little “snarky.” Here’s a selection, snarky and otherwise, through our years at BC.
Even sports-related tombstones got a little snarky.
November 12, 1965
At times, the messages were directed at particular campus issues.
December 9, 1966
October 28, 1966
September 11, 1967 — Orientation Issue
This one below was more admonishment. It was in the issue of The Heights following a day of protest and counter-protest to the visit and speech by Vice-President Hubert Humphrey, obviously associated with the Johnson administration and its Vietnam policy. BC students, larger in number than those protesting Humphrey, heckled and harassed the protestors. The issue carried an editorial and an advertisement signed by campus community members criticizing the BC crowd.
October 21, 1966
Many of the tombstones simply expressed the political stance of whomever created the tombstones, though likely reflective overall of the top level of editorial leadership. (McElroy 102 was the Heights office.)
May 6, 1966
February 3, 1967
And others were a little more reflective of somewhat bold self-description.
May 5, 1967
April 1, 1966 (The April Fools edition)
December 14, 1966
I wonder if this next one was original or whether it was at the time a meme going around in particularly Catholic circles. It was pointed and memorable.
November 3, 1967
Finally, there were those that simply said it was the end of a long week and it was time to let loose.
April 28, 1967