The Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ) began its 100th anniversary celebrations earlier this year while the BYU SPJ chapter will commemorate its 50th anniversary in fall 2009.

Celebrations for the 100th anniversary began in April at a conference hosted at DePauw University in Indiana, where SPJ was originally founded. The annual SPJ conference will be held in Indianapolis with more events to further honor the century-old organization.

SPJ is a non-profit organization focused on ensuring the freedom of speech and ethical journalistic practices.

The society’s mission statement states “the Society for Professional Journalists is dedicated to the perpetuation of a free press as the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty.”

SPJ sponsors various professional contests and awards.  A few such contests are available for college students as well, with the Mark of Excellence being their foremost collegiate award.

Professor Joel Campbell, an active member of SPJ, is an instructor here at BYU. He has been a member of SPJ for over 20 years, first entering when he was a student.

“I joined as a student, had a great experience, and kept going as a professional,” Campbell said.

Campbell said SPJ helps students network with professionals to gain further training to become better journalists. Campbell has been actively involved in multiple outlets to support freedom of speech in several positions, including chairman of SPJ’s Freedom of Information Committee.

Multiple SPJ chapters are found on campuses across the United States, including BYU. The BYU chapter will hold a special conference in the fall of 2009 to celebrate its half-century history.

“It’s a great opportunity to get involved,” Campbell said. “There are things you can’t learn in the classroom that you can learn in SPJ.”

Campbell described BYU’s SPJ chapter, started in 1959, as a club with a professional connection. The chapter gives members opportunities to attend regional and national conventions. The local chapter meetings and events are held on a monthly basis.

The meetings consist of various activities ranging from guest speakers and journalism movie nights to playing pool and other fun activities.

Interested students can contact Campbell, the faculty advisor for the chapter, for more information on SPJ and its upcoming events. Although there is a fee to become a member of SPJ, anyone is welcome to attend these meetings and see first-hand what SPJ is all about.

Founded in 1909, SPJ began as an honorary journalistic fraternity called Sigma Delta Chi at DePauw University. After years of expansion and growth, it changed into a professional society in 1960. The first women members were admitted to the society in 1969.

Sigma Delta Chi was renamed in 1973 as Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, then again to the current name in 1988. Despite the name change, SPJ has consistently worked for the benefit of journalism.

According to its homepage, “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.”

SPJ also hosts a job search data base to assist members looking for a job. Named The Job Bank, it is free to use and allows users to upload resumes and post their information to be viewed by potential employers.

In addition to the search database, there are articles, training videos and podcasts available on SPJ’s official website.

SPJ has several publications listed online, such as the Quill magazine, the Diversity Sourcebook and Freedom of Press alerts.

SPJ is currently the nation’s largest organization of journalists.

More information on SPJ and its services can be found at http://www.spj.org.