Renegade made its debut in April 2003 as a new student-written, student-run, student-produced magazine at the University of Texas at Arlington. Content of the premiere 80-page issue was eclectic: articles about freshmen who had a tough time adjusting to college, international students who found it tougher to remain in school in the wake of the 9-11 attacks, and students who had to put aside their books and adjust to being part of the U.S. military force in Iraq; one student still hoping to bring football back to UTA and two student athletes who found themselves as characters in a video game; campus reactions when an alumnae died in the Columbia space shuttle disaster and campus recollections on the 40th anniversary of the enrollment of the first black student at UTA. Even an interview with a UTA staff member who calls himself The Condom Guy. And an appearance by Adam and Eve tempting students to try the new publication.

Renegade is a hybrid, a general interest “year in review”-type publication, with high production values (full color and high gloss paper) to showcase content that goes beyond the reach of the The Shorthorn, UTA’s award-winning daily student newspaper. It was named by the staff of the inaugural issues, in a sports bracket-type process that saw possible labels like Uta and Focus eliminated in early rounds. As editor in chief Steven Morris explained, the staff thought the name Renegade reflected both the maverick spirit of UTA students and the tone of the new publication.

In addition to providing a new publication for UTA readers, Renegade also provides professional-level experience for students interested in magazine journalism.

The first issue - Renegade Vol. 1 No. 1 - received Associate Collegiate Press' Pacemaker award, the highest award in college media, as well as being named Best Magazine by Texas Intercollegiate Press Association, Southwestern Journalism Congress and Society of Professional Journalists (Region 8). Renegade now publishes one issue each semester.