For the first time in forever, Southern Nazarene University is reviving one of its most cherished traditions–the yearbook. But this time, it’s returning in a new, digital format that blends nostalgia with innovation.
The project, led by Campus Pastor Blair Spindle, Ed.D., and a team of passionate student historians, began as a dream rooted in a deep respect for SNU’s history.
“We stopped doing the yearbook… and because I majored in history in college, traditions and history were important,” Spindle remarked. “In my heart, I was thinking, ‘Man, I wish we had a yearbook.’ But I knew it was too expensive and we didn’t have time for that.”
Years later, the dream found new life–not in print, but on a screen.
“One, I think we need to preserve history,” Spindle expressed. “Two, I think it could be a really cool addition to the campus–to have all of our yearbooks in a digital format where people could search their names.”
The digital format, Spindle explained, was not only a creative solution but a practical one.
“The last time we produced one of these books, it cost around $60,000. We just don’t have that kind of budget anymore,” he mentioned. “We think it’s a digital age anyway. I don’t think the physical book itself is as valued as it used to be.
Still, while the project embraces technology, its heart remains firmly rooted in community and belonging.
“We were talking about including people who usually will not be included,” claimed Natali Awasarmal, historian of the yearbook team. “Through this, everyone’s a part of it — even if they didn’t take their picture, at least their name’s in something.”
Awasarmal added that being part of the project gave her a new appreciation for connection on campus.
“For me, it’s being able to meet new people–athletes, music students, professors–people I wouldn’t normally talk to. It’s helped me come out of my comfort zone.”
For Hailey Hunt, who helps photograph campus life, the experience has been about celebrating every face and story.
“Taking photos of everyone was so fun–even people I didn’t know,” Hunt voiced. “It doesn’t matter if I know them or not; they deserve to be part of this.”
“I want everyone to feel like there’s a place for them and that they’re important,” she added.
New team member Qaali Ali echoed that sentiment, describing her role as both personal and purposeful.
“I have such a passion for preserving memories in time and being able to look back on the past with gratitude,” Ali stated. “When Natali mentioned that SNU had a group that worked on preserving those memories, it immediately felt like a perfect fit.”
Ali, whose mother also attended SNU, admitted that joining the project feels like carrying on a family tradition.
“Growing up, my mom would always show me the yearbooks from her time here at SNU,” she beamed. “Now, being part of the team that is actively working to preserve that history is such a blessing.”
The team hopes the digital archive will not only capture the spirit of SNU today but also connect future generations to the same community that shaped their college years.
“A lot of the way that community is built is based on shared stories,” Spindle said. “We may not have the same background, but for this season, we’re in the same place — and it’s important to record that.”
He added that the project aligns with SNU’s broader mission of cultivating community and care.
“We are called to love each other,” Spindle exclaimed. “This is a special place, and I want to help record that.”
As the digital yearbook prepares to launch, the team is already imagining how it might become a staple of campus life–and a bridge for alumni returning home.
“It’s kind of cooler to come back to something,” Spindle smirked. “For reunions, that really makes it a big thing–being able to see the yearbook and relive those memories.”
“If you ever come back 20 years down the road, and your kid wants to know what you looked like in college, you’ll be there,” he added. “That’s pretty special.”
As the digital yearbook prepares to launch, it feels like more than a project–it’s a homecoming of its own. It’s a bridge between past and present, memory and technology, students and alumni. For everyone who’s ever called SNU home, this digital yearbook promises that your story, your face, and your time here will never fade–they’ll live on, just a click away.
Photos provided: SNU Creative