May 5, 2008

by Katelyn Wolfrom

Despite a predominant focus on science and industry, Drexel has long had a vibrant writer's community. To celebrate Drexel's Week of Writing, the Drexel University Archives takes a look at the history of Maya, Drexel's long-running literary magazine.

Maya, which launched in the spring of 1967, served as a replacement for Drexel's previous creative writing magazine, the Gargoyle. It expanded the types of creative writing accepted for publication in the interest of serving a wider variety of talents, including essays and even written music.

Maya also served as the first Drexel vehicle with a real interest in allowing students to publish artwork. In an opening essay perhaps somewhat indicative of its late-60's inception, Maya's editorial staff tried to explain it in these words: 'The...lesson in Maya is to enjoy what you like in Maya; after all, it is for you, created for you, to do with as you like, whether for amusement or serious study.Remember, Maya is essentially a part of and an envelopment of you, me, and Dhayana (meditation).'

Maya continues to be a creative outlet for Drexel's students, and its longevity probably has much to do with the freedom of all on both sides of the pages to do with Maya 'as they like.'