Erm... honestly I think if you want it to be really popular you should have it more light-hearted rather then dealing with the heavier topics which people hear about a lot (: I'd say something like make an online website but have it more social then something like a magazine, and have topics such as cute couples (get people to rate maybe) and then fun facts about professors (aslong as they don't mind, my school use to have one and we all found out and saw pictures of one of the most hardcore teachers in a ballet leotard because he use to be a professional dancer haha shocker there!) Also have some sort of article which addresses issues sent by actual students (like a agony page, where people can send in their problems and blah blah blah) they're pretty popular :) the rate my professor sounds like a great idea :D I think you should have an embarassing photo's section or something where each (however long you update it) week/day/month e.c.t. People send in their pictures of what they've been up to (: some can be pretty funny (a group of people on a night out dressed up stupidly or something) Have something which gives them an idea of what's going on at the college aswell erm... what else :S fact/tip of the week? Have some interesting facts or tips there like the study ones and the what to look for when picking a class rather then making it sound too formal and dull (: I hope this helps.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.