University of Maryland named SPJ Campus Chapter of the Year

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7/24/2015

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
7/24/2015

Contacts:
Tara Puckey, SPJ Membership Strategist, 317-920-4784, tpuckey@spj.org
Maggie LaMar, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, mlamar@spj.org

INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists is pleased to honor a select group of campus chapters for their outstanding work. Among the 13 chapters being recognized, University of Maryland was named the 2015 National Campus Chapter of the Year.

University of Maryland’s chapter was chosen because of their dedication to both the journalism profession and making their SPJ chapter the best that it can be. Each year, the University of Maryland chapter works hard to recruit new members by hosting a “Welcome back barbeque” for the journalism students and making their presence known to freshman during orientation.

Their chapter hosted 30 events in the past year, including ones that focused on diversity, ethics and FOI issues. Other events held by the chapter included a resume workshop, two blood drives and a tour of the Washington Post newsroom. Chapter president Emily Schweich said that their plan to retain members is to “develop a sense of community among members by planning more chapter social events.”

The two finalists were Florida International University and Ohio University.

Annually, each of SPJ’s 12 Regional Directors selects one chapter in his or her region that has performed outstanding service to the Society, their campus and the journalism profession. From these 12 chapters, one chapter is selected by SPJ’s Vice President for Campus Chapter Affairs, Campus Advisers At Large and the 12 Regional Directors as the Outstanding Campus Chapter of the Year.

The regional honorees are:
Region 1 – Marist College
Region 2 – University of Maryland
Region 3 – Florida International University
Region 4 – Ohio University
Region 5 – Loyola University
Region 7 – Kansas State University
Region 8 – Texas State University – San Marcos
Region 9 – Colorado State University at Ft. Collins
Region 10 – Washington University & Pacific Lutheran University
Region 11 – Cal State University Northridge
Region 12 – McNeese State University
International Chapters – Zayed University

To see a map of the regions and a list of campus chapters, click here.

SPJ will honor the University of Maryland campus chapter at the Student Union event at Excellence in Journalism 2015, Sept. 19 in Orlando, Fla.

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 http://www.spj.org/.