Home > Training > Ted Scripps Leadership Institute > About Ted Scripps

Program Home | Schedule | Apply

About Ted Scripps

The Ted Scripps Leadership Institute is named for Ted Scripps, grandson of the founder of The E.W. Scripps Company. The funding is provided through the Scripps Howard Foundation by Ted's sons, Edward W. Scripps Jr. and William H. Scripps, as a way to honor their father's memory.

Ted Scripps was vice president of Scripps Howard Newspapers in 1960 when he was elected national president of the Society of Professional Journalists, after serving on the national board for six years. At 31, he was one of the youngest presidents in the history of what was then called Sigma Delta Chi. He traveled the country visitng SPJ's chapters and emphasizing the importance of local programming and activities. He also worked hard to build and nurture a bond between SPJ's campus and professional chapters. Scripps wanted to see chapter leaders encouraging and supporting on another.

Ted led a reorganization of SPJ that was aimed at rejuvenating undergraduate and professional chapters across the nation. And now, nearly 50 years later, his legacy continues through this leadership training program.