VCU’s Society of Professional Journalists chapter named number one in region

By Kosha Joshi
University News Services

The Society of Professional Journalists recently named the Virginia Commonwealth University campus chapter number one in the region for the 2003-2004 academic year—making this the eighth time VCU has received this honor.

"We were not expecting this award, but it is a good way to kick off the semester," said Melissa Lynch, VCU SPJ president.

The award salutes chapters for overall excellence in supporting SPJ’s missions, members and the profession itself.

VCU competed against various journalism schools including, American University, George Washington University, University of Maryland at College Park, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, James Madison University and Virginia Tech.

VCU’s chapter has hosted events such as the Virginia High School League Conference, Freedom of Information, Project Watchdog and other events dealing with journalistic concerns.

"The main goal is that we want to help students learn more about the media," said Lynch. "I hope this year's chapter can do just as well, if not better."

In the past, VCU won the regional award in 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984 and 2002. VCU-SPJ also was nationally recognized in 1977 and 1997.

SPJ was created in 1909 as Sigma Delta Chi by Eugene S. Pulliam of the National Journalism Center in Indianapolis. The nation’s leading journalism organization, SPJ encourages diversity in journalism. Today there are 266 local chapters and over 9,000 members.