News > February 28, 2008

By Katie Phillips | Staff writer

Three to Four Ounces, one of the university’s only student literary publications, has recently been revamped after 14 years of steady production. The publication is released one time per semester; the first modified version was released last fall. Compared to previous years, Three to Four Ounces is now longer, more in depth, and includes more art submissions.

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3 to 4 Ounces, a student literary magazine, is currently accepting submissions for their annual publication. Students can email the magaziine at 3to4@wfu.edu or visit their office on the fifth floor of the Benson University Center. (Kell Wilson/OId Gold & Black)

Originally called The Student, Three to Four Ounces took the place of The Student once it turned into an online publication in 1992.

The Student, as a literary magazine, has been produced since before the university moved to Winston-Salem in 1954.

The significance of the name comes from a quote by Don DeLillo in Americana, “The human soul weighs three to four ounces.”

The magazine is run and edited by university students, which gives other students a public outlet to present any studio art, poetry, prose, and plays.

The material is chosen through a blind selection process, and anyone may submit.

Jessie Vogel, a senior studio art major and anthropology minor from New Orleans, LA, is chief editor for 2007-2008. She has been working on the staff of Three to Four Ounces since her freshman year as a layout editor.

The revamping of the magazine took place under Vogel.

It was a fusing together of the then Three to Four Ounces with Notice, a more art and graphic oriented student publication.

Notice was not long-lived; one year after its original publication it combined with Three to Four Ounces.

Notice was produced by Vogel and another staff member of Three to Four Ounces, Billy Brown.

Brown, also a studio art major, is now the layout editor of Three to Four Ounces.

Notice concentrated on art and graphic design, while Three to Four Ounces covered more poetry and prose.

It also focused on the creativity of students, and it received a lot of attention for that reason.

“Notice put a great amount of attention on the creativity of students at Wake, something that is not always in the spotlight,’ Vogel said. It was important to Vogel and the staff during the revamping to emphasize the student’s work, not only in studio art but through poetry, prose and photography.

The combination of the two publications has brought about an adapted version of 3 to 4 Ounces.

It now enhances the graphic layout and eclectic style of Notice with the literature stronghold from 3 to 4 Ounces.

The publication aims to bring together the strength of all of the past publications that it is based out of.

Past versions of 3 to 4 Ounces have attempted to bring together the art forms of graphic design and literature inside of a single cover.

Not only does it include poetry, prose and art but events happening around the university, interviews with professors and occurrences in Winston-Salem.

The staff now includes 15 students and the faculty advisor, Dr. William Moss.

This has grown from 4 students in 2004 when Vogel began.

Currently the staff is looking for more photographers and art majors to contribute, along with anyone who is experienced and interested in layout design.

Submissions for the spring publication are due March 17th.

The magazine will likely be available at the university in early April.

For more information or to submit a piece of work, students can email to 3to4@wfu.edu.

Also, students can contact Jessica Vogel directly, or even visit the publication’s office on the fifth floor of the Benson University Center, where a folder on the office door awaits submissions.

Any and all submissions are welcome.