Society of Professional Journalists Records, 1922-1997
DePauw University

Archives of DePauw University

and Indiana United Methodism

Special Collections

of DePauw University

The Society of Professional Journalists Records, 1922-1997

Size: 54 containers, 8 bound manuscript volumes (57.8 linear feet)

Restrictions: see instrument of gift form

Accession Numbers: UM88-122, UM89-80, UM89-119, UM90-111, UM91-37, D992.076, D994.103, D994.115, D000.021

Provenance: SPJ headquarters

Processed by: Joan Stevens, 1993

The Society of Professional Journalists was founded at DePauw University in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi, Honorary Journalistic Fraternity with 11 original members. The organization was originally the idea of Laurence Sloan and William Meharry Glenn and was planned by the two for most of the 1908-1909 academic year. Its announcement on campus is described in the May 6, 1909 issue of DePauw University's student newspaper, The DePauw Daily. "The curiosity of the college world was aroused this morning by the appearance in chapel of ten men in black and white colors. ... It is their intention to include among their members only those men who expressly intend to engage in either newspaper or other literary work as a life profession."

In 1916 the word "honorary" was dropped from its name and the organization became Sigma Delta Chi, Professional Journalistic Fraternity. This is significant as the founders had debated whether Sigma Delta Chi should be an honorary or professional organization. Undoubtedly, changing from an honorary to a professional organization was done to reflect the fact that many Sigma Delta Chi members were now well into their profession and there was need for chapters outside of college campuses.

Through the years many name changes were proposed, debated and voted down. Then, in 1960, the name became Sigma Delta Chi, Professional Journalistic Society, again moving it away from its collegiate roots with the replacement of the word "fraternity." Another change occurred at the 1973 convention when the name became Society of Professional Journalists/Sigma Delta Chi.

The current name was adopted in 1989 when it became simply the Society of Professional Journalists, eliminating the collegiate style Greek letter name completely. Sigma Delta Chi is st2ill preserved in the organization's foundation of that name established in 1962.

The Society of Professional Journalists has a membership of thousands of journalists, both professional and collegiate. The first convention (the governing body) was held in 1912 in Greencastle, Indiana moving to different sites every year thereafter with a few exceptions due to war or financial problems.

One of the results of the first convention was the establishment of The Quill as a newsletter for the fraternity members. At the 1914 convention, steps were taken to ensure the continuation of The Quill as more than a newsletter by designating a portion of the initiation fee for maintenance of a permanent Quill fund. Financial and personnel problems continued to plague the magazine. In 1923 an endowment fund was proposed to provide monies for the publication and pay a full-time editor. In the mid 1930s after much reorganization, The Quill became a monthly magazine and has continued as such with the exception of a period during World War II.

In January 1928 a national headquarters was established in Chicago, Illinois. A fire at the headquarters in 1934 destroyed many of the minutes of earlier conventions, files of The Quill and all office equipment and supplies. Membership records were saved, however.

The goals of the membership are varied and numerous. Committees were formed to deal with issues and problems in journalism. Among these committees and issues are Ethics, Freedom of Information, the First Amendment, open public meetings and records, state shield laws, free press, fair trial, cameras in the courtroom, the Equal Time Clause and the Fairness Doctrine. Lectures, films, grants and books have been produced through funds including the Kilgore Memorial Award, the Eugene C. Pulliam Fellowship for Editorial Writers, the Frank W. Corrigan Internship and the Taishoff Memorial Fund.

Awards are a major part of the Society of Professional Journalists's activities. Many are given to thoise who have made major contributions to journalism or service to the organization. Some of these awards include the Distinguished Service Award recognizing 16 categories of journalistic performance, the First Amendment Award for contributions advancing freedom of the press, the Mark of Excellence Award for students, Distinguished Teaching Award, and the Historic Site Award.

The Society of Professional Journalists Records, 1922-1991, contain correspondence, minutes, reports, photographs and other media relating to its conventions, administration, membership, projects, awards and publications.

The collection is arranged into three series chronologically. Series I consists of all records through 1988 while Series II includes records 1989 through 1991. Series III consists of Journalistic Awards listings and entries, photographs, and records dating from as far back as 1912 to as late as 1997. Series I is arranged into three subseries: Administrative Records; Journalistic Competition, Entries and Awards; and Chapter Records. Records in Subseries 1 are arranged by record type, so that reports and minutes issued by the national office are arranged ahead of the convention and subject files. Non-print media in Subseries 1 are arranged at the end of it.

Subseries 2, Journalistic Competition ..., is arranged chronologically. Video and audio tapes are noted when present as is the location of any related print material. Subseries 3 consists of records created by individual college and professional chapters and sent to the national office.

Series III is divided into four subseries. Subseries 1 consists of Administrative Records such as board meeting minutes and conventions. Subseries 2 contains print media of Journalistic competition from 1928 through 1997. Subseries 3 is all microfilms of campus chapter members and issues of the Quill. Subseries 4 contains Journalistic competition oversized and non-print media entries.

Each group of records transferred to the archives will be treated as a separate series. Series II and subsequent record series, will follow the arrangement set up in Series I.

[DPU.INV\SPJ]

Society

Professional

Journalists

Records

Archives of DePauw University

and Indiana United Methodism

________

Special Collections

of DePauw University

Greencastle, Indiana

1994

Society of Professional Journalists Records

Inventory

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SERIES I: Records 1922-1988

Subseries 1: Administrative Records

SPJ 1 National Offices, 1923-1983..............................................................................pg. 8

SPJ 2 National Offices, 1984-1988...............................................................................16

SPJ 3 Conventions, 1929-1956.....................................................................................17

SPJ 4 Conventions, 1957-1972.....................................................................................18

SPJ 5 Conventions, 1973-1983.....................................................................................19

SPJ 6 Conventions, 1984-1988.....................................................................................20

SPJ 7 Subject Files, A-Fi...............................................................................................20

SPJ 8 Subject Files, Fi-M..............................................................................................23

SPJ 9 Subject Files, N-Z...............................................................................................26

SPJ 10 Historic Sights, 1942-1973..................................................................................28

SPJ 11 Historic Sights, 1974-1988..................................................................................33

SPJ 12 Sigma Delta Chi Constitution................................................................................35

SPJ 13 Photographs: conventions, awards, miscellaneous.................................................35

SPJ 14 Photographs: Quill, n.d.; chapter, regional conferences.........................................38

SPJ 15 Photographs: Quill, dated....................................................................................39

SPJ 16 Photographs: Negatives.......................................................................................40

SPJ 17 Freedom of Information/First Amendment Congress (11 videos)..........................44

SPJ 18 Conventions, enrollments, seminars, meetings, (microfilm reels

and audiotape)....................................................................................................44

SPJ 19 Conventions, programs, meetings, title slides (all 35mm transparencies).................45

Subseries 2: Journalistic Competition, Entries and Awards

SPJ 20 Entries and Awards, 1983-1986 & unidentified (11 video and 13 audiotapes)...... 46

SPJ 21 Entries and Awards, 1986-1987 (16 video and 1 audio tape and 1 notebook)......48

SPJ 22 Entries and Awards, 1986-1987 (17 video and 2 audio tapes)..............................49

SPJ 23 Entries and Awards, 1986-1987 (17 video and 12 audio tapes)............................50

SPJ 24 Entries and Awards, 1987-1988 (18 video and 28 audio tapes)............................51

SPJ 25 Entries and Awards, 1983-1987..........................................................................53

SPJ 26 Entries and Awards, 1987-1988..........................................................................60

SPJ 27 Entries and Awards............................................................................................. 65

SPJ 28 Entries and Awards..............................................................................................65

SPJ 29 Entries and Awards..............................................................................................66

SPJ 30 Entries and Awards..............................................................................................67

SPJ 31 Entries and Awards..............................................................................................67

Subseries 3: Chapter Records

SPJ 32 Campus Chapters..................................................................................................68

SPJ 33 Professional Chapters............................................................................................71

SERIES II: Records, 1989-1991

SPJ 34 General Files; Entries and Awards, 1989-1991......................................................74

SPJ 35 Entries and Awards, 1990.................................................................................... 83

SPJ 36 Entries and Awards...............................................................................................84

SPJ 37 Entries and Awards (oversize)...............................................................................85

SPJ 38 Entries and Awards, audio and video tapes............................................................86

SPJ 39 Regional records: conferences and general files.......................................................87

SERIES III: Records and Awards

Subseries 1: Administrative Records

SPJ 40 Executive Meeting Minutes, Board Mailings, Conventions, 1957-1986.................88

SPJ 41 Daily Files, Board Meetings, Conventions, 1987-1991.........................................89

SPJ 42 Daily Files, Board Meetings, Conventions, 1991-1997.........................................90

SPJ 43 Foundation Board Minutes, Bylaws, Photographs (1912-64), 1965-1993............92

Subseries 2: Listings of Journalistic Competitions and Awards

SPJ 44 Entries and Awards, 1928-1997..........................................................................93

SPJ 45 Entries and Awards, 1991-1997..........................................................................95

Subseries 3: Microfilms

SPJ 46 Microfilm, Enrollments, Campus Chapter Members, Quill (1931-74),

1974-1987.........................................................................................................97

Subseries 4: Journalistic Competitions and Awards Entries

SPJ 47 Mark of Excellence and Sigma Delta Chi Entries, (1990-1997)...........................107

SPJ 48 Sigma Delta Chi Entries, 1991-1996..................................................................108

SPJ 49 Sigma Delta Chi Entries, 1995............................................................................108

SPJ 50 Pulliam Fellowship Applications, Photos (Quill staff), Delta Sigma Chi Entries.... 109

SPJ 51 Sigma Delta Chi Video Entries, 1990-1997........................................................109

SPJ 52 Sigma Detla Chi Video and Audio Entries, Board meetings, SDX banquet,

Mark of Excellence Audio Entries, Book, 1982-1987........................................110

SPJ 53 Mark of Excellence Video Entries, Misc. SPJ Videos, 1986-1997.....................111

SPJ 54 Mark of Excellence Video Entries, 1986 National Convention (47 audiotapes),

Audio Reels, 1986-1997...................................................................................112

Appendix A: Oversize Photographs (not boxed).......................................................................113

Appendix B: Bound Manuscript Records.................................................................................114

Appendix C: Related DePauw University Records....................................................................115

SERIES I: Records 1922-1988

Subseries 1: Administrative Records

SPJ1 National Offices, 1923-1983

Folder 1 National Offices 1923

Executive Committee

Folder 2 National Offices 1923

Executive Committee

Folder 3 National Offices 1924

Executive Committee

Folder 4 National Offices 1924

2nd Vice President

Folder 5 National Offices 1924

Secretary

Folder 6 National Offices 1924

Treasurer

Folder 7 National Offices 1925

Quill Endowment

Folder 8 National Offices 1927

Executive Council

Folder 9 National Offices 1929

Executive Council

Folder 10 National Offices 1930

Executive Council

Folder 11 National Offices 1931

Executive Council

Folder 12 National Offices 1933

Executive Council

Folder 13 National Offices 1934

Executive Council

Folder 14 National Offices 1936

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 15 National Offices 1938

Executive Council

Folder 16 National Offices 1939

Executive Council

Folder 17 National Offices 1941

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 18 National Offices 1945

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 19 National Offices 1946

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 20 National Offices 1947

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 21 National Offices 1948

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 22 National Offices 1948

Executive Director

Folder 23 National Offices 1949

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 24 National Offices 1950

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 25 National Offices 1951

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 26 National Offices 1952

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 27 National Offices 1953

Committee for Advancement of Freedom of Information

Folder 28 National Offices 1953

Executive Committee Minutes

Folder 29 National Offices 1953

National Program Committee; Sub-Committee on Ritual

Folder 30 National Offices 1954

Executive Council

Folder 31 National Offices 1955

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 32 National Offices 1956

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 33 National Offices 1957

Executive Council Minutes

Folder 34 National Offices 1957

Executive Director

Folder 35 National Offices 1958

President

Folder 36 National Offices 1960

Board of Directors/Executive Council (1 meeting)

Folder 37 National Offices 1961

Executive Officer

Folder 38 National Offices 1961

First Vice-President

Folder 39 National Offices 1962

Executive Officer

Folder 40 National Offices 1962

Quill

Folder 41 National Offices 1963

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 42 National Offices 1963

Executive Officer

Folder 43 National Offices 1963

President

Folder 44 National Offices 1963

Regional Director

Folder 45 National Offices 1963 Subcommittee on Regional Boundaries

Folder 46 National Offices 1963

Vice-President Undergraduate Affairs

Folder 47 National Offices 1964

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 48 National Offices 1964

Awards Committee

Folder 49 National Offices 1964

Executive Officer

Folder 50 National Offices 1964

President

Folder 51 National Offices 1965

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 52 National Offices 1965

Executive Officer

Folder 53 National Offices 1965

President

Folder 54 National Office 1965

Professional Development Committee

Folder 55 National Offices 1966

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 56 National Offices 1966

Executive Officer

Folder 57 National Offices 1966

Membership

Folder 58 National Offices 1966

President of Board

Folder 59 National Offices 1967

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 60 National Offices 1967

Executive Officer

Folder 61 National Offices 1967

Quill

Folder 62 National Offices 1968

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 63 National Offices 1968

Executive Officer

Folder 64 National Offices 1968

Ways & Means Committee

Folder 65 National Offices 1969

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 66 National Offices 1969

Past Presidents

Folder 67 National Offices 1969

Secretary

Folder 68 National Offices 1970

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 69 National Offices 1970

Executive Officer

Folder 70 National Offices 1970

President

Folder 71 National Offices 1970

Vice President, Campus Affairs

Folder 72 National Offices 1971

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 73 National Offices 1971

Executive Officer

Folder 74 National Offices 1971

President

Folder 75 National Offices 1971

Vice-President of Campus Affairs

Folder 76 National Offices 1972

Spring Board Minutes

Folder 77 National Offices 1972

Executive Officer

Folder 78 National Offices 1972

President

Folder 79 National Offices 1972

Vice President, Campus Affairs

Folder 80 National Offices 1973

Board of Directors

Folder 81 National Offices 1973

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 82 National Offices 1973

Executive Officer

Folder 83 National Offices 1973

First Vice President

Folder 84 National Offices 1973

Nominating Committee

Folder 85 National Offices 1973

President

Folder 86 National Officers 1973

Ways and Means Committee

Folder 87 National Offices 1974

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 88 National Offices 1974

Quill

Folder 89 National Offices 1974

Ethics Committee

Folder 90 National Offices 1974

Executive Officer

Folder 91 National Offices 1974

First Vice President

Folder 92 National Offices 1974

Immediate Past President

Folder 93 National Offices 1974

President

Folder 94 National Offices 1974

Nominating Committee

Folder 95 National Offices 1974

Secretary

Folder 96 National Offices 1975

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 97 National Offices 1975

Executive Officer

Folder 98 National Offices 1975

Nominating Committee

Folder 99 National Offices 1975

President

Folder 100 National Offices 1975

President Elect

Folder 101 National Offices 1976

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 102 National Offices 1976

Executive Officer

Folder 103 National Offices 1976

Nominating Committee

Folder 104 National Offices 1976

President

Folder 105 National Offices 1977

Executive Officer

Folder 106 National Offices 1977

National Officers (List)

Folder 107 National Offices 1977

Nominating Committee

Folder 108 National Offices 1977

Vice President Campus Affairs

Folder 109 National Offices 1978

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 110 National Offices 1978

Membership

Folder 111 National Offices 1978

Nominating Committee

Folder 112 National Offices 1979

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 113 National Offices 1979

Committees (Lists)

Folder 114 National Offices 1979

Executive Officer

Folder 115 National Offices 1979

National Officers List

Folder 116 National Offices 1979

Nominating Committee

Folder 117 National Offices 1979

President

Folder 118 National Offices 1979

Special Projects Committee

Folder 119 National Offices 1980

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 120 National Offices 1980

Committee (Lists)

Folder 121 National Offices 1980

Executive Officer

Folder 122 National Offices 1980

Lawyer Search Committee

Folder 123 National Offices 1980

Nominating Committee

Folder 124 National Offices 1980

President

Folder 125 National Offices 1980

Quill

Folder 126 National Offices 1981

January and April Board Meetings

Folder 127 National Offices 1981

Executive Officer

Folder 128 National Offices 1981

Investment Committee

Folder 129 National Offices 1981

Quill Endowment Trustees

Folder 130 National Officers 1982

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 131 National Offices 1982

Executive Officer Tornabene

Folder 132 National Offices 1982

President

Folder 133 National Offices 1983

Spring Board Meeting

Folder 134 National Offices 1983

Executive Officer Tornabene

Folder 135 National Offices 1983

Membership Itule

Folder 136 National Offices 1983

Nominating Committee

Folder 137 National Officers 1983

Past President Jean Otto

Folder 138 National Offices 1983

Planning Committee

Folder 139 National Officers 1983

President, Steve Dornfeld

Folder 140 National Offices 1983

Professional Development, Ralph Izard

SPJ2 National Offices, 1984-1988

Folder 1 National Offices 1984

Board Assignments

Folder 2 National Offices Spring 1984

Board Meeting

Folder 3 National Offices 1984

Campus Chapter Affairs, Charles Fair

Folder 4 National Offices 1984

Ethics Committee

Folder 5 National Offices 1984

Executive Director

Folder 6 National Offices 1984

Fund Raising Committee

Folder 7 National Offices 1984

Membership Committee

Folder 8 National Offices 1984

Nominations

Folder 9 National Offices 1984

President

Folder 10 National Offices 1984

President Elect

Folder 11 National Offices 1985

Board Assignments

Folder 12 National Offices 1985

Executive Officer, Russ Tornabene

Folder 13 Headquarters Sites Committee

SPJ3 Conventions, 1929-1956

Folder 1 Convention 1923

Treasurer's Report

Folder 2 Executive Council Chairman Reports to Conventions 1923, '24, '25, & '28

Folder 3 Conventions 1929

Folder 4 Convention 1930, Columbus, Ohio

Folder 5 Conventions 1931

Folder 6 Convention 1933

Folder 7 Convention 1934, DePauw

Folder 8 Convention 1935

Folder 9 Acts and Summaries of Conventions 1936, '37, '38

Folder 10 Convention 1936

Folder 11 Convention 1937

Folder 12 Convention 1938

Folder 13 Convention 1939

Folder 14 Convention 1940, Des Moines

Folder 15 Convention 1941, New Orleans

Folder 16 Convention 1946, Chicago

Folder 17 Convention 1947

Folder 18 Convention 1948

Folder 19 Convention 1949

Folder 20 Convention 1950

Folder 21 Convention 1951

Folder 22 Convention 1952

Folder 23 Convention 1952

SDX Publicity

Folder 24 Convention 1953

Folder 25 Convention (45th) Nov. 11-13 Columbus, Ohio; Deshler-Hilton Hotel

Folder 26 Convention (46th) 1955

Folder 27 Convention (47th) 1956

SPJ4 Conventions, 1957-1972

Folder 1 Convention 1957

Folder 2 Convention (48th) 1957, Proceedings

Folder 3 Convention 1957 (48th), Houston, Texas, Proceedings

Folder 4 Convention (49th) 1958 November 19-22, U.S. Grant Hotel, San Diego,CA

Folder 5 Convention (50th) 1959, Indianapolis

Folder 6 Convention 1961, Miami, Proceedings

Folder 7 Convention 1962

Folder 8 Convention 1963

Folder 9 Convention 1964

Folder 10 Convention 1964, Kansas City, Missouri, Proceedings

Folder 11 Convention 1965

Folder 12 Convention 1965, Los Angeles

Folder 13 Convention 1966

Folder 14 Convention 1966, Pittsburgh, Proceedings

Folder 15 Convention 1967, Minneapolis, Proceedings

Folder 16 Convention 1967

Folder 17 Convention 1968

Folder 18 Convention 1968, Proceedings

Folder 19 Convention 1969

Folder 20 Convention 1969, San Diego, Calif., Proceedings

Folder 21 Convention 1970

Folder 22 Convention 1970, Business Session, Proceedings

Folder 23 Convention 1971

Folder 24 Convention 1971, Thursday and Saturday Sessions, Proceedings

Folder 25 Convention 1972

Folder 26 Convention 1972, Statler Hilton, Proceedings

SPJ5 Conventions, 1973-1983

Folder 1 Convention 1973

Folder 2 Convention 1973, Buffalo, New York, Proceedings

Folder 3 Convention 1974

Folder 4 Convention 1974, Proceedings

Folder 5 Convention 1975

Folder 6 Convention 1975 (66th), Philadelphia, Proceedings

Folder 7 Convention 1976

Folder 8 Convention 1976, Proceedings

Folder 9 Convention 1977

Folder 10 Convention 1977, Detroit, Proceedings

Folder 11 Convention 1978

Folder 12 Convention 1978, Proceedings

Folder 13 Convention 1979

Folder 14 Convention 1979, Proceedings

Folder 15 Convention (71st), 1980 Hyatt, Columbus, Ohio

Folder 16 Convention 1981, Washington, D.C.

Folder 17 Convention 1981, Proceedings

Folder 18 Convention 1982, Milwaukee

Folder 19 Convention 1983

SPJ6 Conventions, 1984-1988

Folder 1 Convention 1984, Part 1

Folder 2 Convention 1984, Part II

Folder 3 Convention 1984, SPJ-SDX Daily

Folder 4 Convention 1985, Part I

Folder 5 Convention 1985, Part II

Folder 6 Convention 1986, Invitation

Folder 7 Convention 1986, Part I

Folder 8 Convention 1986, Part II

Folder 9 Convention 1986, "The Working Press"

Folder 10 Convention 1987, Evaluations

Folder 11 Convention 1987, Part I

Folder 12 Convention 1987, Part II

Folder 13 Convention 1987, Part III

Folder 14 Convention 1988

SPJ7 Subject Files, A-Fi

Folder 1 Admission of Women

Folder 2 Award Certificates

Folder 3 Award Programs, Beckman Efficiency Award

Folder 4 Award Programs: Distinguished Service Awards (DSA)

Folder 5 Award Programs: DSA 1952-53

Folder 6 Award Programs: DSA 1964-65

Folder 7 Award Programs: DSA 1970-71

Folder 8 Award Programs: DSA 1973-74

Folder 9 Award Programs: DSA 1974-75

Folder 10 Award Programs: DSA 1976-77

Folder 11 Award Programs: DSA 1978-79

Folder 12 Award Programs: DSA 1980-81

Folder 13 Award Programs: DSA 1981-82

Folder 14 Award Programs: DSA 1982-83

Folder 15 Award Programs: DSA 1983-84

Folder 16 Award Programs: DSA 1984-85

Folder 17 Award Programs: DSA 1987-88

Folder 18 Award Programs: Distinguished Teaching Award (DTA) in Journalism

Folder 19 Award Programs: Kilgore Memorial

Folder 20 Award Programs: Mark of Excellence (MOE) National Winners 1967, '68, '71

Folder 21 Award Programs: MOE National Winners 1972-1983

Folder 22 Award Programs: MOE National Winners 1984 (Partial)

Folder 23 Award Programs: MOE National Winners 1985-86

Folder 24 Award Programs: MOE National Winners 1987/88

Folder 25 Award Programs: Outstanding Chapter