Contact:
Heather Porter, Programs Coordinator, 317-927-8000 ext. 204
Beth King, Communications Manager, 317-927-8000 ext. 211

INDIANAPOLIS -- The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to honor a select group of campus chapters for their outstanding work.

Annually, each Regional Director selects one chapter in their region that has been outstanding in service to the Society, their campus and the journalism profession. From these 12 chapters, one chapter is selected by the Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs as the National Outstanding Campus Chapter of the Year.

The regional recipients include:

Region 1: Ithaca College
Region 2: Appalachian State University
Region 3: University of South Carolina
Region 4: Ohio University
Region 5: Loyola University Chicago
Region 6: St. Cloud State University
Region 7: No honoree selected
Region 8: Baylor University
Region 9: Colorado State University
Region 10: Pacific Lutheran University
Region 11: California State University, Fullerton
Region 12: University of Mississippi

From this group, Pacific Lutheran University was selected for the national honor.

“Whether rallying students against censorship or sending journalism textbooks to the Far East, this small student chapter has been exemplary in pursuing SPJ's missions,” said Nathan Isaacs, former Region 10 Director. “This chapter is always among the best in Region 10, including the professional chapters.”

The regional awards will be presented during individual regional meetings on Oct. 5 during the 2007 SPJ Convention & National Journalism Conference in Washington, D.C. Pacific Lutheran University will receive their national award during a luncheon, also to be held on Oct. 5, at the Hyatt Regency Washington Capitol Hill.

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 www.spj.org.

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