On college campuses nationwide, local chapters of national organizations are declining. Loyola is no exception. The Loyola University chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, wants to change this.
The Society of Professional Journalists has over 9,000 members nationwide. The Loyola chapter has about six students who regularly attend meetings and who are members of the national chapter.
SPJ is an organization dedicated to maintaining the rights to free speech and the press, diversity in journalism and open government. It is open to students and professionals in the fields of print, broadcast and photojournalism.
Many local professionals are members of SPJ and similar organizations such as the New Orleans Press Club. By joining these groups, students can network and gain contacts in the professional field.
The Loyola chapter has already tried to introduce its members to the idea of networking by hosting events such as the Louisiana Coalition for an Open Government, an internship panel, and an upcoming diversity forum with communications students from Xavier University.
The Louisiana Coalition for an Open Government was a forum held first semester in which lawyers from all over the area congregated to discuss Louisiana and national laws. SPJ sponsored the event and provided seven students to help out as needed.
This semester SPJ sponsored an internship forum with Mark Schleifstein from the Times-Picayune and Dominic Massa from WWL TV. Schleifstein is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist for his ecology stories. He is also the former president of the New Orleans Press Club and a member of SPJ. Massa is a Loyola graduate, former president of our SPJ chapter and current Press Club President. He is the producer for the six o’clock news on WWL.
Communications students from Xavier University have contacted SPJ with the notion to bring students from Loyola, Xavier, Dillard and SUNO together for a journalism diversity forum. This would enhance SPJ’s ideal of diversity and bring recognition to the local chapter.
Another great thing about professional organizations are the regional and national conventions, which are held every year. This year’s SPJ Regional Convention is being held in Nashville, Tenn., April 2-3. Loyola is sending three students to represent the chapter. The next national convention is Sept. 9-11 in New York City.
Last year the Loyola Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists received the Best Chapter in Region 12 Award. This year’s chapter hopes to win again.
There are also other professional organizations on campus for students. PRSSA is a national organization for students in public relations; RTNDA is a great organization for students in broadcasting; Alpha Kappa Psi is a national business fraternity.
I think that national organizations are losing steam on campuses because of poor turnout and lack of funding – as is the case with the Loyola chapter of SPJ. This semester SPJ did not receive any money from SGA.
Professional organizations on college campuses are a great networking tool and help prepare students for their future career. SPJ has many professionals who look to help incoming journalists. Look into joining a student chapter; it can only help your college and your career.
~ Holly Marie Kangas is a communications sophomore and President of Loyola’s SPJ chapter.
