About Our Publication
The Michiganensian (‘mi-shi-gen-en-see-in’) has been published yearly at the university for over a century. The name is somewhat of a mystery, although some say it means “one who hails to Michigan.” It could also be derived from the word “ensign” which is to scribe, one who records events in history.
Dissatisfied with their treatment in the Palladium, a group of anti-secret society independents published the first issue of The University Castalia in the 1870s. Then in 1894, the senior class of the Law School published an annual, called To Wit, later changed to The Res Gestae.
In April 1896, the first issue of the Ensian appeared, the result of a consolidation of the Palladium, the Castillian, and the Res Gestae. It remained ever since the official yearbook of the University of Michigan.
The Early Days
The first of the annuals published by students at the university was a four-page pamphlet, The University Register, issued in June 1857. During the school year 1858-1859, the first issue of the Palladium was published. The Palladium was published semiannually by a group of seven secret societies or fraternities. It gradually increased in size and content. In 1886, it became a book with illustrations and literary material.
Stanford Lipsey Student Publications
The Michiganensian is a part of the Office of Student Publications, alongside the Michigan Daily, SHEI Magazine, and the Gargoyle Humor Magazine.