FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Nov. 23, 2015

Contacts:
Paul Fletcher, SPJ National President, 804-873-1893, pfletcher.spj@gmail.com
Robert Leger, SDX Foundation National President, 480-559-3656 (MST), rdleger@cox.net
Jennifer Royer, SPJ Communications Strategist, 317-361-4134, jroyer@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS – The following is a joint statement by Paul Fletcher, SPJ National President, and Robert Leger, SDX Foundation President, on the passing of Austin H. Kiplinger:

“The Society of Professional Journalists sends its deepest condolences to the family of Austin H. Kiplinger, who passed away Friday at the age of 97. Austin was a true, longtime friend to SPJ and the entire journalism profession. He felt personally invested in the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation (SDX) and SPJ, of which he was a member since his days at Cornell University in 1936.

“For the past several years, the Kiplinger Foundation has donated $10,000 annually to the foundation of the Washington, D.C., SPJ chapter, supporting one of the most generous journalism scholarship programs in the nation, which awards up to $25,000 to students studying in Washington-area colleges and universities. Austin and his father, Willard M. Kiplinger, are members of the SPJ D.C. Chapter’s Hall of Fame. Austin was named a Fellow of the Society in 2009 for extraordinary contribution to the profession.

“‘Kip,’ as he was known by long-time friends, quietly hosted scholarship recipients for dinner each fall, hosted several holiday gatherings and meetings at the Kiplinger Washington Editors offices on I Street and helped with hosting the SPJ national convention when it was in Washington, D.C. The Kiplinger Program in Public Affairs Journalism at Ohio State University also partners with SPJ to offer workshops across the country.

“Friends and colleagues describe him as an optimist, a good listener and a thoughtful giver of advice. He’s described by many as an ethical journalist, compassionate and kind man, and someone who stayed grounded through much business and financial success.

“Kip will be deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. His absence will surely be felt at SPJ and SDX. Our thoughts are with his son, Knight Kiplinger, his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and colleagues.”

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. For more information about SPJ, please visit spj.org.

Founded in 1961, the Sigma Delta Chi Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) public foundation that is dedicated to ensuring that those who carry on the tradition of a free press are prepared for the challenge. Its goal is to support the educational programs of the Society of Professional Journalists and to serve the professional needs of journalists and students pursuing careers in journalism. For more information about the SDX Foundation, please visit www.spj.org/sdx.asp.

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