Students and faculty who have had work published in the Phoenix Literary Magazine are part of a rich history of student publications. This spring's issue celebrates 50 years of the Phoenix.

"This upcoming issue celebrates 50 years of Phoenix at the University of Tennessee. We will be republishing some of the best works we find from the past, along with submissions from current students," Will Parker, editor-in-chief for the Phoenix, said. "I hope readers will Google the names they come across in the anniversary issue and see the paths that branched out from a start at the University of Tennessee."

Works from the past to be included in this spring's issue are two short stories by Cormac McCarthy, "A Drowning Incident" (1959) and "Wake for Susan" (1960).

It was in 1959 that the Phoenix was introduced as a part of the "Orange and White Literary Magazine." Before then, campus literary publications had been intermittent since 1840.

We're really excited about presenting the history of the magazine and hope readers will enjoy our view of UT's creative past with serious implications for the future.
Will Parker, editor-in-chief of Phoenix Literary Magazine

"We dedicate this first issue of "The Phoenix" to you, the students and faculty of the University of Tennessee," reads the dedication page of the fall 1959 issue of "The Orange and White Literary Supplement." "Rising from the flame of challenge, "The Phoenix" offers you an opportunity to participate directly in the literary experience as contributors and as readers. Thus we hope to encourage the creation and appreciation of literature and the arts at this University."

Seven years later, in the spring of 1966,  the Phoenix became an editorially independent student literary art magazine.

"The name 'Phoenix' for the magazine is appropriate because the phoenix is used as a reference in literature to something that recreates itself over and over," Jane Pope, director of student publications, said. 

According to Greek mythology, a phoenix has a life span of 500 to 1000 years, at the end of which it builds a nest that ignites and burns both the nest and the bird. Out of the ashes, a young, new phoenix is reborn.

Since its inception, the Phoenix has been published every term, with an occasional extra issue or a specifically themed issue. Usually, an issue of the Phoenix is between 20 and 40 pages long.

"Look for the next issue to be much longer," Parker said.

The Phoenix is designed and published on campus, and a few thousand copies are printed each semester and then placed around campus for distribution.

The 50th anniversary issue is due out in late April, but issues from fall 2009 can be picked up in 5 Communications Building or by calling the Department of Student Publications at 865-974-3231.