Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi dedicate new national headquarters building to Eugene S. Pulliam

Contacts: Sarah A. Shrode, communications manager 317/927-8000, ext. 217 or sshrode@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS - The Society of Professional Journalists and the Sigma Delta Chi foundation dedicated their new headquarters building Aug. 11 to former Indianapolis Star publisher Eugene S. Pulliam

"Gene Pulliam always stood for quality journalism, and the Pulliam family has supported excellence in our field for many decades," said Paul Steinle, Sigma Delta Chi board president. "We deeply appreciate the family's commitment to supporting the goals of the Society of Professional Journalists, and we are proud to have Gene Pulliam's name on our new headquarters. SPJ will continue to endeavor to protect freedom of speech and the First Amendment from this Journalism Center named in Mr. Pulliam's honor."

Joining Steinle in cutting the ribbon for the Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center were Myrta Pulliam, Eugene S. Pulliam's daughter; Kyle Elyse Niederpruem, SPJ board president and an assistant city editor for the Indianapolis Star; and Steven L. Campbell, communications director for Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. The naming of the building was secured with a half-million dollar contribution to the SPJ-SDX capital campaign from the Jane Pulliam Trust, co-managed by Myrta Pulliam and Russell B. Pulliam, children of Eugene S.

The dedication marked the first time in the Society's 91-year history that the organization has owned its headquarters facility. The Society, founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., is dedicated to improving & protecting journalism and was located in Greencastle for the past 10 years.

"In 1927, our delegates signed off on our first national headquarters. A year later, we moved into the old Chicago Stockyards. Since then, SPJ has jumped around as a tenant - from one lease to the next," Niederpruem said. "Finally, we own a home - a renovated and refurbished building along a main highway into the city of Indianapolis. All of this was done with the work of volunteers and former national leaders - and without a dime of dues money from our members. We've grown up, and we'll continue to grow at our new location."

During the dedication ceremony, Campbell presented a proclamation from Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson recognizing the Society's contributions to journalism.

Indiana Gov. Frank O'Bannon sent a similar proclamation declaring Aug. 11 as "Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center Day" throughout the state. An Indianapolis Star editorial hailed SPJ's move to Indianapolis as "a welcome addition to Indianapolis and the cause of free expression."

"The new headquarters was both a labor of love and of necessity," said James L. Gray, CAE, SPJ executive director. "We needed to be in a modern technologically current location in order to become the 21st century organization our members need. And I have been impressed and touched by the response to the campaign to build and equip these headquarters. We're positioning SPJ so that our members will have an advantage that those outside the organization will not."

The new national headquarters of the Society of Professional Journalists and the Sigma Delta Chi foundation was dedicated Aug. 11 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The building was named after Eugene S. Pulliam, former publisher of the Indianapolis Star.

The Society of Professional Journalists is the nation’s largest and most broad-based journalism organization, dedicated to encouraging the free practice of journalism and stimulating high standards of ethical behavior. Founded in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to a well-informed citizenry; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and protects First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press