About Us

Letter From The Editor

Since my first year at Coastal Carolina University, I had spent so much time imagining myself in this role, that I had never considered the legacy left behind by the Editors, writers, and artists that came before me, and–if I ever got lucky enough for the job–how I could possibly continue and expand on what the work they have done so far. Now, I’ve realized that being entrusted to eternalize the work of other hardworking, talented, and special humans has been what is so important about the position that I find myself in. I wonder how Zach Oldaker, our Art Director, feels having done this for much longer than me with both his and others’ designs being printed on these pages, inspiring readers and artists alike. Or how Richard Bottoms, our Digital Editor, feels witnessing the different creative eras of humanity rush in and fade out, and the impacts that remain after they’re gone.

Publishing this magazine with our collaborative efforts will create something that will continue to circulate the halls when we no longer will. Even as a reader now, your eyes scan the words I’ve poured myself into, which will be the same words read by brand new eyes, years from now, when we may have forgotten these pages altogether. Those invisible strings which connect us all are everywhere, scattered between both our everyday moments and our exhilarating ones. In time, when we find an old copy of this magazine and blow off the gathered dust, we’ll open the pages and find words we thought we’d forgotten. All at once, it’ll become clear that all it takes to revisit our past selves is nothing more than a little tug on a long, winding string. Making a meal by following a loved one’s recipe, listening to a song that an old friend shared with you, having a heartfelt conversation with a stranger–all of the acts of being human–pulls on strings that connect us to each other forever. It is through these strings that we are unified as one collective, unbreakable, beautiful humanity.

I am so thankful to Zach for ensuring this magazine is designed and organized with such immense care and creative perspective; he has guided me through this journey and without him, this issue wouldn’t exist. I am also thankful to Richard, who has uplifted and restored both TEMPO and Archarios, using his skills to give us the lens to see for the futures of these magazines. To our faculty and staff advisors, Colin Burch, Jeff Case, Alli Crandell, and Cali Duncan, thank you for grounding us in our work and supporting us with such kindness and professionalism through every step. Finally, I am forever grateful to the humans who made this magazine together. We’ve worked tirelessly to present pieces of ourselves to you, the reader, and we hope that maybe you’ll catch a glimpse of yourself in one of these many pieces, and pull on a string you’d never noticed before.

Editor-in-Chief

Madisyn Small