By LAGAN SEBERT

USA Today marked its 25th year of publication with a week-long series of events co-sponsored by American University’s School of Communication last month.

Many of the events, held at the Katzen Arts Center, examined ways in which the young “upstart” has influenced the world of journalism at large. When it launched in 1982, USA Today was the first major newspaper to use color graphics and diagrams.

One event of the series featured a panel discussion with notables from USA Today and the journalism world at-large, including veteran White House correspondent Helen Thomas and USA Today founder Al Neuharth.

USA Today, whose parent company Gannett is headquartered in McLean, Va., shares a close relationship with American University. Lynne Perri, a former deputy managing editor at USA TODAY for design, photography and graphics, directs the American Observer webzine at AU.

Photos by Jeff Watts and American Observer staff