The Mississippi University for Women chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists is an organization that promotes the First Amendment Rights.

The members of SPJ all believe in the ethical and fair use of the First Amendment with freedom of speech and freedom of the press.

Consisting of four officers and over twenty members we are continuing to grow and expand our horizons. Fundraisers are held every semester to aid in the financial necessities of National and Regional Conventions. Various speakers are invited to educate the organization members in a variety of fields. Anchors, advertisers, editors and public relations coordinators have spoken to the group already.

The group is active around campus and the community. Bulletin boards focusing on Freedom Forum issues are displayed in the Cromwell Communications building. Writing contests have been featured at local schools. Speakers sponsored by SPJ have spoken to Communication classes.

The MUW SPJ chapter is an educational, yet, relaxed organization that invites not only Communication members to the meetings but all students. Meetings are held once a month with cabinet meetings whenever needed.
 
 

Speakers:

Jerry Jones, General Sales Manager and Program Director at WCBI-TV, spoke to the Advertising class on Wednesday, October 11, 2000.  Jones has worked for WCBI for seventeen years and his duties include, writing local commercials and purchasing sydicated programming for WCBI. He is a graduate of Southern Mississippi University and has received numerous Golden and Silver Addy Awards for Commercial Copyright.  He spoke on, "Advertising Ethics and Practices."

Wes Ellis, Chief Photographer for Mississippi Governor Ronnis Musgrove, spoke to the Senior Seminar class on Monday, March 12, 2001.  Ellis is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women. He spoke on, "Looking for jobs in unexpected places and bing diverse in your trade."

Scott Phillips, Reporter for Public Radio Mississippi, spoke to the Senior Seminar class on Wednesday, February 21, 2001. Phillips is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women. He spoke on, "My experiences on finding that first job."

Jan Miller, Director of Main Street Columbus, Inc., spoke to the Public Relations class on Tuesday, April 10, 2001. Miller was previously the Chapter Executive of the American Red Cross, Tenn-Tom Chapter in Columbus and Campaign Associate/Youth Coordinator for the United Way of Lowndes County, Inc. She is a graduate of Mississippi University for Women with a B.S. in Merchandising. She spoke on, "What a Public Relations professional is responsible for, how to look for your first job, and her experiences while working for different organizations."
 

Conventions and Workshops:

The National Conventin for the Society of Professional Journalists was held October 26-29, in Columbus, Ohio.  Sessions included: "60 Minutes II" and the Dragging Death Defendant Interview, A Publisher's Prerogative, Deadlines and Deities: Covering God in the Secular and Religious Press, Elections and Editorials and many other journalism topics.  Awards were given out at the end of the Convention.

The Writers Workshop for the Society of Professional Journalists regions 8 & 12 was held March 16-18, in New Orleans, Louisiana.  Sessions included: Writing Strategies: Why not us?, From Generalists to Specialists: Getting Into Speciality Reporting, Computer-Assisted Reporting 101, Jump Into the Net, and many others to futher the education of members.
Each member was able to meet professionals in the journalistic field such as, Bruce DeSilva, News and Feature Editor for The Associated Press, Paula LaRocque, Assistant Managing Editor and writing coach at The Dallas Morning News, and Ken Herman, Capitol Bureau Chief for the Austin American-Statesman.  Regional awards were given out at the close of the Workshop.
 
 

Octoberfest 2000:

SPJ Cookout 2000:

SPJ Faculty/Staff vs. Students Basketball Game:
 

T-Shirts and Order Form:

Back

   
What do big mouths and entrepreneurs have in common?
They take a Chance

Front

Order Form-$15.00

Name:

Address:

Telephone Number:

E-mail:

Shirt Size:      S         M          L           XL            XXL

Please send order form along with a check or money order to:
Mississippi University for Women
Society of Professional Journalists
P.O. Box W-940
Columbus, MS  39702