The Oracle published its first issue on Sept. 6, 1966 — a 16-page, two-section newspaper.
After 60 years, in 2026, The Oracle is revisiting that debut issue with a modern digital replica of the front page, along with an update to the stories featured.
The comparison offers a look at how our coverage and format have changed since 1966, while our role on campus has stayed the same: The Oracle remains dedicated to covering the university community as it happens.
That first issue covered USF’s seventh honors convocation, a Welcome Back Weekend lineup that included the Mitchell Trio and local band the Go-Mads, and a front page welcome from three successive Miss Tampa titleholders.
Sixty years later, the 2026 edition covers many of the same rhythms of a new school year: a Judy Genshaft Honors College convocation for USF’s most selective honors class in program history, a Week of Welcome that drew more than 4,000 students to the Yuengling Center for a balloon drop, and the announcement of Fetty Wap as this year’s Homecoming headliner.
While the small details differ, the assignment is the same one this paper picked up in 1966: show up, report what happened and tell USF about itself.
Editors note: This 60th anniversary issue is a digital replica designed to mirror The Oracle’s first print edition. It is not an active print newspaper. The Oracle does not currently produce a print edition.