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 Vol. 5, No.5                      September 2000 
      A publication of the East Tennessee Chapter 
      of the Society of Professional Journalists
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Joint meeting planned at Hall of Fame

A joint meeting of East Tennessee SPJ and the Volunteer Chapter of Public Relations Society of America is set for 5:30-7:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 28, at the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in the lower rotunda. Members, prospective members, and students are invited to attend.

The credibility levels of different sources of news and information will be examined. The results of the PRSA National Credibility Index study, which looked at the level of credibility perceived by the public for scores of different professions, spokespersons and experts, will be presented and discussed at the meeting.

Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be served, and a cash bar will be available. The price is $18 for members and students and $25 for nonmembers. You may make reservations by contacting Barbara Martocci (bvmartocci@tva.gov) or Nancy Cann (532-8004) by Monday, Sept. 25.

“The topics of credibility, integrity, and ethics are important to journalists and public relations practitioners alike,” commented Bonnie Riechert, SPJ chapter president. “It’s been four years since our local chapters of SPJ and PRSA met jointly to address topics of common interest. I hope this meeting will be well attended by our membership.”

Society dedicates Indy headquarters

INDIANAPOLIS - The Society of Professional Journalists and the Sigma Delta Chi foundation dedicated their new headquarters building Aug. 11 to former Indianapolis Star owner and publisher Eugene S. Pulliam.

“Gene Pulliam always stood for quality journalism, and the Pulliam family has supported excellence in our field for many decades,” said Paul Steinle, Sigma Delta Chi board president. “We deeply appreciate the family’s commitment to supporting the goals of the Society of Professional Journalists, and we are proud to have Gene Pulliam’s name on our new headquarters.  SPJ will continue to endeavor to protect freedom of speech and the First Amendment from this Journalism Center named in Mr. Pulliam’s honor.”

Joining Steinle in cutting the ribbon for the Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center were Myrta Pulliam, Eugene S. Pulliam’s daughter; Kyle Elyse Niederpruem, SPJ board president and an assistant city editor for the Indianapolis Star; and Steven L. Campbell, communications director for Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson. The naming of the building was secured with a half-million dollar contribution to the SPJ-SDX capital campaign from the Jane Pulliam Trust, co-managed by Myrta Pulliam and Russ Pulliam, children of Eugene S.

The dedication marked the first time in the Society’s 91-year history that the organization has owned its headquarters building. The Society, founded at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind., is dedicated to improving and protecting journalism and was located in Greencastle for the past 10 years.

“In 1927, our delegates signed off on our first national headquarters. A year later, we moved into the old Chicago Stockyards. Since then, SPJ has jumped around as a tenant - from one lease to the next,” Niederpruem said.

“Finally, we own a home - a renovated and refurbished building along a main highway into the city of Indianapolis. All of this was done with the work of volunteers and former national leaders - and without a dime of dues money from our members. We’ve grown up, and we’ll continue to grow at our new location.”

During the dedication ceremony, Campbell presented a proclamation from Indianapolis Mayor Bart Peterson recognizing the Society’s contributions to journalism. Indiana Gov. Frank O’Bannon sent a similar proclamation declaring Aug. 11 as “Eugene S. Pulliam National Journalism Center Day” throughout the state. An Indianapolis Star editorial hailed SPJ’s move to Indianapolis as “a welcome addition to Indianapolis and the cause of free expression.”

“The new headquarters was both a labor of love and of necessity. We needed to be in a modern technologically current location in order to become the 21st century organization our members need,” said James L. Gray, CAE, SPJ executive director. “And I have been impressed and touched by the response to the campaign to build and equip these headquarters. We’re positioning SPJ so that our members will have an advantage that those outside the organization will not.”

Members begin year with picnic

Members of the East Tennessee professional chapter, SPJ, hosted members of the University of Tennessee student chapter and staff members of The Daily Beacon at a picnic on Sunday, Sept. 10, in front of the UT Communications Building.

The chapter’s traditional annual fall picnic remains a popular event, judging from the participation by members.

Outgoing chapter president Wynne Brown was honored for her leadership and contributions to the chapter during the last several years.

Bonnie Hufford, advisor to the student chapter, was recognized, along with Jacob Rudolph, president of the student chapter. Dorie Turner, editor of The Daily Beacon, introduced members of her staff. Bonnie Riechert, professional chapter president, introduced incoming chapter board members and recognized faculty members from the UT School of Journalism and Department of Broadcasting.

“We want to especially recognize Jim Crook, who recently announced his retirement as director of the School of Journalism, effective at the end of June,” commented Riechert. “Selfishly, we are sad about this, though we are happy for him.”

Society chooses new officers

The East Tennessee Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists has elected Bonnie Riechert, assistant professor of journalism and communications at the University of Tennessee, president for 2000-2001.

Other officers are Alan Carmichael, partner and co-president of Moxley Carmichael, first vice president; Adina Chumley, freelance broadcaster and producer, second vice president; Jan Avent, assistant editoral page editor of The Knoxville News-Sentinel, secretary; and Dorothy Bowles, professor of journalism and communications at UT, treasurer.

Other board members are Georgiana Vines, deputy managing editor of The Knoxville News-Sentinel, membership chair; Lara Edge, managing editor of The Knoxville News-Sentinel, program chair; Larry Aldridge, executive editor of The Daily Times, Maryville, member-at-large and program co-chair; and Lisa Hood Skinner, senior account executive at Ackermann Public Relations, member-at-large (two-year term). Wynne Brown, freelance journalist, is out-going chapter president.

 
Updated September 2000
by Sally A. Guthrie