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Founded: SPJ was founded in 1909 at DePauw University in Greencastle,
Ind., as a journalistic fraternity known as Sigma Delta Chi. In 1988, the
organization officially changed its name to the Society of Professional Journalists.
Membership: SPJ is a professional organization that includes broadcast,
print and online journalists, journalism educators , and students interested
in journalism as a career.
Tax-exempt status: The Society is a not-for-profit organization exempt
from federal income tax under Section 501(c)6 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Historic Moments
A timeline following SPJ’s development
1909
Founded as Sigma Delta Chi on DePauw University Campus, Greencastle, Ind.
1910
Campus chapters founded at University of Kansas, University of Michigan,
and Denver University
1912
First National Convention, Greencastle, Ind.
First Quill published, 20 pages in a 6x9 inch format
1913
First Wells Key award presented to Laurence Sloan
1916
Change from Honorary Fraternity to Professional Fraternity
1921
First professional chapters in Milwaukee, Seattle, Detroit, Des Moines,
and Chicago.
1926
First Code of Ethics adopted.
1928
First National Headquarters opens, 836 Exchange Ave., Chicago, Ill.
1935
SDX Awards started as Distinguished Service Awards.
1942
First historic site in journalism marked by SDX, Vermont Gazette, Bennington,
Vt.
1948
First fellowships awarded to Erwin Canham, Barry Faris, and Harry Grant.
Outstanding Pro Chapter recognized, Fort Worth, Texas
1959
Fifty-year convention, Indianapolis
1960
Sigma Delta Chi reorganized from a fraternity to a professional society
Regional system established with 11 regions
1961
First full-time Quill editor, Clarence Schlaver
1966
Distinguished Teaching in Journalism Award first given to A.L. Higginbotham,
University of Nevada
1969
Decision to admit women made at San Diego convention. Two days later, 10
women were initiated into the St. Bonaventure Chapter
1970
Student representatives added to board structure
1971
Caroline Ross Pokrzywinski, first woman elected to the board
1972
Mark of Excellence awards established
1973
Organization name changed to Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma
Delta Chi
New Code of Ethics adopted
First Outstanding Campus Chapter recognized, University of Illinois
1975
First Amendment Award given to Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press
1978
Pulliam Fellowship first awarded to Ross MacKenzie, Richmond, Va., News-Leader
1979
First female president elected, Jean Otto
First Distinguished Campus Advisers named: Paul Atkins, West Virginia University;
Merrill Bankester, Memphis State University; James Highland, Western Kentucky
University; Robert Warner, University of Wyoming
1982
Project Watchdog initiated. It began as a public service advertising campaign
aimed at educating the public about the free press in America
1983
Barney Kilgore FOI Internship first awarded to Sharon Applebaum, University
of Kansas and David Freedman, Columbia University
1984
Seventy-five year Convention, Indianapolis
Code of Ethics revision
1987
Code of Ethics revision
1988
Name changed to Society of Professional Journalists.
1990
National headquarters moved to Greencastle, Ind.
1991
Project Sunshine started. A grassroots effort aimed at maintaining open
records and open meetings laws in accord with the 1976 Government in the Sunshine
Act
1996
New Code of Ethics adopted
2000
National Headquarters moved to Indianapolis.
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Our Mission
The Society of Professional Journalists is dedicated to the perpetuation of
a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.
To ensure that the concept of self-government outlined by the U.S. Constitution
remains a reality into future centuries, the American people must be well informed
in order to make decisions regarding their lives, and their local and national
communities.
It is the role of journalists to provide this information in an accurate, comprehensive,
timely and understandable manner.
It is the mission of the Society of Professional Journalists:
— To promote this flow of information.
— To maintain constant vigilance in protection of the First Amendment guarantees
of freedom of speech and of the press.
— To stimulate high standards and ethical behavior in the practice of journalism.
— To foster excellence among journalists.
— To inspire successive generations of talented individuals to become dedicated
journalists.
— To encourage diversity in journalism.
— To be the pre-eminent, broad-based membership organization for journalists.
— To encourage a climate in which journalism can be practiced freely.
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