For Immediate Release:
Dateline: Indianapolis,
IN
Thursday, September 2, 2021
CONTACT: Lou Harry, SPJ Manager of Publications and Awards, 317-920-4786, lharry@spj.org
Zoë Berg, SPJ Communications Coordinator, 317-920-4785, zberg@spj.org
INDIANAPOLIS — The Society of Professional Journalists annually honors select professional chapters for their commitment to SPJ’s mission and the journalism profession. In addition, SPJ distinguishes seven of its professional chapters with this year’s Circle of Excellence Awards, a collection of awards that recognize outstanding work in First Amendment/Freedom of Information, professional development, diversity and student relations (formerly campus relations).
The Large Chapter of the Year award is open to chapters with 75 or more members, while the Small Chapter of the Year award is open to chapters with fewer than 75 members.
Large Chapter of the Year
This year, SPJ Florida was selected as the Large Chapter of the Year. It had an excellent year and was worth recognizing.
Small Chapter of the Year
This year’s winner of Small Chapter of the Year is the Cincinnati Pro Chapter, which also had an excellent year worth recognizing.
Chapters with 75 or more members are eligible for Large Circle of Excellence Awards. Small Circle of Excellence Awards are for chapters with fewer than 75 members.
Finalists for Large and Small Chapter of the Year are:
Large Chapter of the Year:
New Jersey Pro Chapter, Washington D.C. Pro Chapter, SPJ Florida — Professional Chapter, Chicago Headline Club, Oregon Territory Pro Chapter
Small Chapter of the Year:
Virginia Pro Chapter, SPJ Georgia, Cincinnati Pro Chapter, Indiana Pro Chapter, Minnesota Pro Chapter, St. Louis Pro Chapter, Fort Worth Pro Chapter, Rio Grande Pro Chapter, Arkansas Pro Chapter, Inland NW Pro Chapter
Congratulations to this year’s Circle of Excellence winners:
Large Circle of Excellence
Professional development: Chicago Headline Club
Diversity: New England Pro Chapter
FOI/First Amendment: New Jersey Pro
Student relations: SPJ Florida
Small Circle of Excellence
Professional development: SPJ Georgia
Diversity: Oklahoma Pro Chapter
FOI/First Amendment: SPJ Georgia
Student relations: Cincinnati Pro Chapter
The winning chapters were honored during the Opening Business Session at SPJ21. Read more about the selection process and past winners.
SPJ promotes the free flow of information vital to informing citizens; works to inspire and educate the next generation of journalists; and fights to protect First Amendment guarantees of freedom of speech and press. Support excellent journalism and fight for your right to know. Become a member, give to the Legal Defense Fund or give to the SPJ Foundation.
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