Society for Collegiate Journalists

American honor society for journalists

Society for Collegiate Journalists

SCJ
Founded| June 1, 1975; 50 years ago (June 1, 1975)
Type| Honor
Affiliation| Independent
Status| Active
Emphasis| Collegiate Journalism
Scope| National
Colors|   Black and   White
Publication| The Reporter
Chapters| 100+ (active)
Members| 1,200 active
Predecessors| Pi Delta Epsilon and Alpha Phi Gamma
Headquarters| 610 West Fourth Street
Buena Vista University
Storm Lake, Iowa 50588
United States
Website| scjnational.org

The Society for Collegiate Journalists (SCJ) is an American honor society for student journalists. It was created in 1975 through the merger of Pi Delta Epsilon and Alpha Phi Gamma.

## History

[edit]

The Society for Collegiate Journalists was formed on June 1, 1975, as a merger between the two journalism honor societies, Pi Delta Epsilon and Alpha Phi Gamma.[1] Pi Delta Epsilon was established in 1909. Alpha Phi Gamma was established in 1919.[2] It held its first national meeting at the David Lipscomb College in Nashville, Tennessee in 1977.[3]

The society expanded across the United States and includes around 100 chapters.[2] As of 2024, SCJ has approximately 1,200 members.[2] Its national headquarters in location in Storm Lake, Iowa.[4]

## Symbols

[edit]

The seal of the Society of Collegiate Journalists incorporated elements of its predecessors. It is a circle surrounded by the words “SOCIETY OF COLLEGIATE JOURNALISTS FOUNDED A.D. 1909"[5] Inside the circle is an inkwell with crossed quills above.[5]

The society's colors are black and white, symbolizing journalism's heritage of print media.[5] It uses maroon and silver for banners and its Medal of Merit.[5] Graduating members may wear honor cords which are red.[6][7]

Its publication is called The Reporter.[8]

## Activities

[edit]

At the national level, the SCJ runs a biennial national convention and an annual student journalist contest with judges who are professionals in the field.[2] It also publishes an online journal, The Collegiate Journalist, and a newsletter, The Reporter.

SCJ presents the Medal of Merit Certificate, the Presidential Citation, the Ingelhart First Amendment Award, the McDonald Award for the outstanding chapter, the SCJ Barlow Student Journalist of the Year Award, the Outstanding New Advisor Award, and the Outstanding New Chapter Award.[2] The Student Journalist of the Year Award winner receives a scholarship and Ingelhart Award receives a cash prize.

At the local level, chapters host workshops, speakers, and seminars related to journalism.[2]

## Chapters

[edit]

SCJ has around 100 active chapters in the United States.[2][9] Its chapters use their original charter date, from the predecessor organizations. Inactive institutions are in italics.

Institution  | Charter date

and range

| Location  | Status  | References

|
|
|
|

Ohio Northern University | 1919  | Ada, Ohio |  |
Stevens Institute of Technology | 1922  | Hoboken, New Jersey |  |
Muskingum College | 1923  | New Concord, Ohio |  |
Washington & Jefferson College | 1924  | Washington, Pennsylvania |  |
University of Richmond | 1926  | Richmond, Virginia |  |
Virginia Tech | 1930  | Blacksburg, Virginia | Active  | [10]
Catholic University of America | 1931  | Washington, D.C. |  |
Westminster College | 1934  | New Wilmington, Pennsylvania |  |
College of William & Mary | 1935  | Williamsburg, Virginia |  |
Hastings College | 1937  | Hastings, Nebraska | Active  | [11]
Franklin College | 1938  | Franklin, Indiana | Active  | [12]
Hampden-Sydney College | 1939–xxxx ?;

2000

| Hampden Sydney, Virginia | Active  | [13]
Southern Illinois University Carbondale | 1939  | Carbondale, Illinois | Inactive  |
Midland Lutheran College | 1940  | Fremont, Nebraska | Inactive  |
Bethany College | 1947  | Bethany, West Virginia | Active  | [14]
John Carroll University | 1948  | University Heights, Ohio | Active  | [15]
Clarkson University | 1949  | Potsdam, New York |  |
Eastern Illinois University | 1949  | Charleston, Illinois | Active  | [16]
Fairmont State College | 1949  | Fairmont, West Virginia | Inactive  |
Marietta College | 1949  | Marietta, Ohio | Active  | [17]
Wartburg College | 1949  | Waverly, Iowa | Active  | [18]
Keuka College | 1950  | Keuka Park, New York |  |
New Jersey Institute of Technology | 1951  | Newark, New Jersey |  |
Hofstra University | 1953–xxxx ?;

May 2014

| Hempstead, New York | Active  | [19][20][a]
Thiel College | 1953  | Greenville, Pennsylvania | Active  | [21]
Bridgewater College | 1955  | Bridgewater, Virginia | Inactive  |
Caldwell College | 1960  | Caldwell, New Jersey |  |
Pittsburg State University | 1960  | Pittsburg, Kansas |  |
Bethel College | 1961  | McKenzie, Tennessee | Inactive  |
Valparaiso University | 1961  | Valparaiso, Indiana | Active  | [22]
Winona State University | 1961  | Winona, Minnesota | Active  | [23]
Anderson University | 1963  | Anderson, Indiana |  |
Bemidji State University | 1964  | Bemidji, Minnesota |  |
Clarion University of Pennsylvania | 1964  | Clarion, Pennsylvania | Inactive  | [24]
Lipscomb University | 1964  | Nashville, Tennessee | Active  | [25][26]
Radford University | 1964–after 2011  | Radford, Virginia | Inactive  | [27][28]
Millersville University of Pennsylvania | 1965  | Millersville, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
Northeastern State University | 1965  | Tahlequah, Oklahoma |  |
Southeast Missouri State University | 1965  | Cape Girardeau, Missouri | Active  | [29]
Saint John’s University | 1965  | New York City, New York | Active  | [30]
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania | 1966  | Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania |  |
High Point University | 1966  | High Point, North Carolina | Active  | [31]
Evangel University | 1967  | Springfield, Missouri | Active  | [32][33]
Harding University | 1967  | Searcy, Arkansas | Active  | [34][b]
Mount St. Mary's College | 1967  | Emmitsburg, Maryland | Inactive  | [35]
Slippery Rock University | 1967  | Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania | Active  | [36]
Eastern Kentucky University | 1968  | Richmond, Kentucky | Active  | [37]
Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania | 1968  | Lock Haven, Pennsylvania |  |
Fort Hays State University | 1970  | Hays, Kansas | Active  | [38]
West Virginia Wesleyan College | 1970  | Buckhannon, West Virginia |  |
Oklahoma Baptist University | 1971  | Shawnee, Oklahoma | Inactive  |
Winthrop University | 1972  | Rock Hill, South Carolina | Active  | [39]
Tennessee Tech | 1975  | Cookeville, Tennessee | Active  | [40]
University of North Alabama | 1978  | Florence, Alabama |  |
Cabrini University | 1979  | Radnor Township, Pennsylvania | Active  | [41]
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach | 1979  | Daytona Beach, Florida |  |
James Madison University | 1979  | Harrisonburg, Virginia | Inactive  |
Mary Baldwin University | 1979  | Staunton, Virginia | Active  |
Marycrest College | 1981  | Davenport, Iowa | Inactive  | [c]
Southern Arkansas University | 1981  | Magnolia, Arkansas | Inactive  |
Wingate College | 1981  | Wingate, North Carolina |  | [d]
College of St. Francis | 1982  | Joliet, Illinois |  |
Manchester Community College | 1982  | Manchester, Connecticut |  |
Carson-Newman College | 1983  | Jefferson City, Tennessee | Inactive  |
Cowley Community College | 1983  | Arkansas City, Kansas |  |
Kansas State University | 1983  | Manhattan, Kansas | Inactive  |
Kingsborough Community College | 1983  | Brooklyn, New York |  |
Milwaukee Area Technical College | 1983  | Milwaukee, Wisconsin |  |
Ocean County College | 1983  | Ocean County, New Jersey |  |
Southeastern Louisiana University | 1983  | Hammond, Louisiana | Active  | [42]
University of Scranton | 1983  | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
Drury College | 1984  | Springfield, Missouri | Inactive  | [43]
Elizabethtown College | 1984  | Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania | Active  | [44]
Garden City Community College | 1984  | Garden City, Kansas | Inactive  |
Wabash College | 1984  | Crawfordsville, Indiana | Inactive  |
Jacksonville University | 1985  | Jacksonville, Florida | Inactive  |
Jacksonville State University | 1985  | Jacksonville, Alabama | Inactive  |
Nicholls State University | 1985  | Thibodaux, Louisiana | Inactive  |
Oakton Community College | 1985  | Des Plaines, Illinois | Inactive  | [45]
Appalachian State University | 1986  | Boone, North Carolina | Inactive  |
Minot State College | 1986  | Minot, North Dakota | Inactive  |
Christian Brothers College | 1987  | Memphis, Tennessee | Inactive  | [46]
Hunter College | 1987  | New York City, New York | Inactive  |
Independence Community College | 1987  | Independence, Kansas |  |
Ouachita Baptist University | 1987  | Arkadelphia, Arkansas | Inactive  |
Randolph–Macon College | 1987  | Ashland, Virginia |  |
University of Louisiana at Lafayette | 1987  | Lafayette, Louisiana | Inactive  |
Wayne State College | 1987  | Wayne, Nebraska | Inactive  |
Carnegie Mellon University | 1988  | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania |  |
Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, Prescott | 1988  | Prescott, Arizona | Inactive  |
Labette Community College | 1988  | Parsons, Kansas |  |
Lynchburg College | 1988  | Lynchburg, Virginia | Inactive  |
Lincoln Memorial University | 1989  | Harrogate, Tennessee |  |
North Central College | 1989  | Naperville, Illinois | Inactive  |
University of Arkansas | 1989  | Fayetteville, Arkansas | Inactive  |
Old Dominion University | 1990  | Norfolk, Virginia | Inactive  |
Spring Arbor College | 1990  | Spring Arbor, Michigan | Inactive  | [47]
Eastern Michigan University | 1991  | Ypsilanti, Michigan | Active  |
Berry College | 1992  | Mount Berry, Georgia | Inactive  |
Regent University | 1993  | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Inactive  |
Susquehanna University | 1993  | Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown | 1994  | Johnstown, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
Marian College | 1995  | Fond du Lac, Wisconsin | Inactive  |
Union University | 1995  | Jackson, Tennessee | Inactive  |
Virginia Wesleyan University | 1995  | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Active  | [48]
McDaniel College | 1996  | Westminster, Maryland | Active  | [49]
New York Institute of Technology | 1996  | Old Westbury, New York | Inactive  |
North Carolina State University | 1996  | Raleigh, North Carolina | Active  | [50]
Clarke College | 1997  | Dubuque, Iowa | Inactive  | [51]
Murray State University | 1997  | Murray, Kentucky | Inactive  |
Oxnard College | 1997  | Oxnard, California | Inactive  |
Taylor University | 1997  | Upland, Indiana | Inactive  |
University of Nebraska at Kearney | 1997  | Kearney, Nebraska | Active  | [52]
Wilkes University | 1998  | Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania |  |
Youngstown State University | 1998  | Youngstown, Ohio |  |
Simpson College | 1999  | Indianola, Iowa |  |
Southwest Missouri State University | 1999  | Springfield, Missouri | Inactive  |
State University of New York at New Paltz | 1999  | New Paltz, New York | Inactive  |
University of Pittsburgh at Bradford | 1999  | Bradford, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
Utica University | 1999  | Utica, New York | Active  | [53]
Washburn University | 1999  | Topeka, Kansas |  |
Westark Community College | 1999  | Fort Smith, Arkansas | Inactive  |
Asbury College | 2000  | Wilmore, Kentucky | Inactive  |
Northeast Texas Community College | 2000  | Mount Pleasant, Texas | Active  | [54]
Widener University | 2000  | Chester, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
University of the Pacific | 2001  | Stockton, California |  |
Naugatuck Valley Community College | 2002  | Waterbury, Connecticut | Active  | [55]
Valdosta State University | 2002  | Valdosta, Georgia | Active  | [56]
Neumann College | 2003  | Aston, Pennsylvania | Inactive  |
Piedmont University | 2003  | Demorest, Georgia | Active  |
Shenandoah College | 2003  | Winchester, Virginia | Inactive  |
Community College of Baltimore County | 2004  | Essex, Maryland | Inactive  |
Barton College | 2005  | Wilson, North Carolina | Active  | [57]
Bennett College | 2005  | Greensboro, North Carolina |  |
Loyola Marymount University | 2006  | Los Angeles, California | Inactive  |
Providence College | 2006  | Providence, Rhode Island |  |
Savannah College of Art and Design | 2006  | Savannah, Georgia |  |
Keene State College | 2007  | Keene, New Hampshire | Active  | [58]
Lindsey Wilson College | 2007  | Columbia, Kentucky | Inactive  |
Mercer University | 2007  | Macon, Georgia | Inactive  |
Robert Morris University | 2009  | Moon Township, Pennsylvania | Active  | [59]
Landmark College | 2010  | Putney, Vermont | Inactive  |
Frostburg State University | 2011  | Frostburg, Maryland | Active  |
Lee University | 2011  | Cleveland, Tennessee | Active  | [60]
Marywood University | 2011  | Scranton, Pennsylvania | Active  | [61]
Savannah College of Art and Design | 2011  | Atlanta, Georgia | Active  | [62]
Buena Vista University | 2012  | Storm Lake, Iowa | Active  | [63]
Savannah State University | 2018  | Savannah, Georgia | Inactive  | [64]
Fort Lewis College |  | Durango, Colorado |  |
Virginia State University |  | Ettrick, Virginia | Inactive  |
Western Kentucky University |  | Bowling Green, Kentucky | Active  | [65]
Community College of Denver |  | Denver, Colorado | Active  | [66][e]

1. ^ This chapter is a subsection of the Long Island Press Club.
2. ^ The national website says this chapter is in Arizona.
3. ^ The college became Teikyo Marycrest University and finally Marycrest International University. It closed in 2002 because of financial shortcomings.
4. ^ The national website says this college is in North Dakota.
5. ^ Known as the Auraria chapter.

## See also

[edit]

* National Pacemaker Awards
* Honor cords
* Honor society

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Name SEMO Journalists to Positions
2. ^ a b c d e f g "About". Society for Collegiate Journalists. August 18, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
3. ^ "National Meetings History". Society for Collegiate Journalism. November 19, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
4. ^ "Contact Us". Society of Collegiate Journalists. August 20, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
5. ^ a b c d "History". Society for Collegiate Journalists. May 18, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
6. ^ "Cords". Society for Collegiate Journalism. May 19, 2015. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
7. ^ "The Society for Collegiate Journalists: A Foundation of Democracy". Senior Class Graduation Products. November 9, 2020. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
8. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists". Issuu. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
9. ^ "Chapter Activity". Society for Collegiate Journalists. August 20, 2014. Retrieved May 10, 2024.
10. ^ "Student Organizations | College of Liberal Arts and Human Science". Virginia Tech. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
11. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists inducts eight new members; Batterson recognized - Hastings College". May 7, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
12. ^ "Multimedia Journalism at Franklin College". Franklin College. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
13. ^ "Collegiate Journalists". Hampden-Sydney College. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
14. ^ "Honor Societies | Course Catalog". Bethany College. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
15. ^ "Laken Kincaid '24 Named NBC/John Carroll University "Meet the Press" Fellowship Recipient | News Center". John Carroll University. May 1, 2024. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
16. ^ "Student Organizations | Journalism". Eastern Illinois University. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
17. ^ "The Society for Collegiate Journalists (Mass Communications)". Marietta College. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
18. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists". Wartburg College. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
19. ^ "Our Mission". Hofstra University Society for Collegiate Journalists. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
20. ^ "Communication: Student Organizations & Productions". Hofstra University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
21. ^ "Clubs and Activities". Thiel College. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
22. ^ "Student Honors, Awards, and Societies - Valparaiso University - Modern Campus Catalog™". Valparaiso University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
23. ^ "Student Clubs & Organizations". Winona State University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
24. ^ "Student Organizations | Communications". Penn West Clarion. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
25. ^ "Communication students recognized for excellence by Society of Professional Journalists". Lipscomb University. May 26, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
26. ^ "Lipscomb collegiate chapter of SPJ wins Region 12 Chapter of the Year". Lipscomb University. September 25, 2019. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
27. ^ Erickson, Bonnie Q. (September 27, 2011). "Collegiate Honors Society Inducts 63 Members | News & Events". Radford University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
28. ^ "Journalism | School of Communication | Radford University". www.radford.edu. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
29. ^ "Campus Life & Event Services". Southeast Missouri State University. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
30. ^ "Student Organizations". St. John's University. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
31. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists - HPU Connect". High Point University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
32. ^ Hall, Jennifer (May 16, 2012). "Evangel University student media win national recognitions through Society of Collegiate Journalists 2012". Evangel University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
33. ^ "Clubs and Organizations". Evangel University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
34. ^ "Communication Organizations". Harding University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
35. ^ "Lighted Corners Literary Magazine". Mount St. Mary's University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
36. ^ "The Rocket awarded first place for 'Newspaper Overall Excellence' by SCJ". www.sru.edu. April 23, 2021. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
37. ^ "Student Organizations". School of Communication | Eastern Kentucky University. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
38. ^ "Tiger Media Network wins impressive student production award; multiple students honored in contests". Fort Hays State University (FHSU). Retrieved May 19, 2024.
39. ^ "Department of Mass Communication - Professional Associations". Winthrop University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
40. ^ Sullivan, Irene (May 22, 2023). "Tech communication students win top SCJ awards". Tennessee Tech. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
41. ^ "Who We Are – Cabrini COM". Archived from the original on September 18, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
42. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists". Southeastern Louisiana University Press Club. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
43. ^ "List of Current Organizations". Drury University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
44. ^ "Communications Clubs and Organizations". Elizabethtown College. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
45. ^ "Student Clubs". Oakton College. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
46. ^ "Clubs and Organizations". Christian Brothers University. October 21, 2022. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
47. ^ "Extracurricular Activities". Spring Arbor University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
48. ^ "The Marlin Chronicle Wins 19 National Journalist Awards in the Annual SCJ Contest". Virginia Wesleyan University. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
49. ^ "Honor Societies and Academic Recognition". McDaniel College. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
50. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists". Student Media. North Carolina State University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
51. ^ "Student Organizations". Clarke University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
52. ^ "1998-2000 UNK Catalog/Honorary Organizations". University of Nebraska at Kearney. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
53. ^ "Alumni - Public Relations and Journalism". Utica University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
54. ^ "Student Services - Northeast Texas Community College - Modern Campus Catalog™". catalog.ntcc.edu. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
55. ^ "Naugatuck Valley Community College Newspaper, Honored by the Society of Professional Journalists". Naugatuck Valley Community College - CT State. June 2, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
56. ^ "Mass Communications | Student Activities". Valdosta State University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
57. ^ "Candidate Information | Barton College". August 23, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
58. ^ "Awards abound; Student Journalists Continue to Make Their Mark Professionally". Keene State College. June 1, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
59. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists | Revolution". revolution.rmu.edu. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
60. ^ "Society for Collegiate Journalists | Clubs and Organizations". Lee University. Retrieved May 19, 2024.
61. ^ "Marywood University's Society of Collegiate Journalists chapter wins multiple awards at national contest". Abington Journal. June 1, 2021. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
62. ^ "Student media". Savannah College of Art and Design. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
63. ^ Olson, Jen (May 17, 2023). "BVU nets 35 national awards from Society for Collegiate Journalists". Storm Lake Times Pilot. Buena Vista County, Iowa. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
64. ^ University. "Clubs and Organizations". Savannah State University. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
65. ^ "Student Organizations". Western Kentucky University. Retrieved May 16, 2024.
66. ^ Sarah.Scott (September 17, 2014). "Journalism - Society of Professional Journalists". Community College of Denver. Retrieved May 16, 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website