Collection context
Summary
- Creator:
- Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter
- Abstract:
- The Indiana University Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, the Society of Professional Journalists, was established in 1914. Its aim was to "promote interest in journalism and encourage high ideals in newspaper work." Over the decades, the group became known for their journalistic banquets and awards. The collection contains membership information, event files, general correspondence, newspaper articles, and other types of administrative files.
- Extent:
- 1 cubic foot (1 box)
- Language:
- Materials are in English
- Preferred citation:
[Item], Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, Indiana University Chapter records, Collection C453, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
Background
- Biographical / Historical:
In 1909, students founded Sigma Delta Chi on the DePauw University campus in Greencastle, Indiana, as a professional journalistic fraternity for men. It soon became a national organization with chapters at many universities with the Indiana University chapter being established in 1914. Women were not admitted until 1969.
Over the course of its existence, the group hosted numerous banquets and other activities which played a large part in journalistic activities at I.U. Of particular note, the group was known for the awards it bestowed, including the Distinguished Awards which were established in 1935. Others included the Leather Medal Award which was given to the person who over the course of the year had enhanced the reputation of the University through his/her personal efforts; the Brown Derby Award to the most popular professor; the Rocking Chair Award to a retiring professor; and the Big Wheel Award to the person outside the University who contributed the most to its prestige and welfare.
In 1973, the group changed its name to the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, and in 1991 they shortened their name to simply the Society of Professional Journalists. While the group still exists under that name on campus today, the latest records from the group in this collection date from 1988.
- Scope and Content:
The IU Sigma Delta Chi records and are organized into one series of Administrative files (1935-1988) which are arranged alphabetically by folder heading and then chronologically where necessary. Included are records on banquet and award events, membership, and news of the organization. Within these sections, the items consist of meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, awards, programs, invitations, membership lists, letters, and correspondence.
- Acquisition information:
- Accession numbers: 2006/111
- Appraisal information:
Blank pages and duplicates were weeded from the collection.
- Custodial history:
Transferred to the IU Archives in October 2006. There was no active chapter of the organization at the time of accession.
- Processing information:
Processed by Rachel Edgren.
Completed in 2012
- Arrangement:
Collection is organized into one series: Administrative files.
Indexed Terms
- Subjects:
- Journalism --Indiana --Bloomington --Societies, etc.
Greek letter societies --Indiana --History. - Names:
- Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter
Indiana University, Bloomington -- Societies, etc.
Indiana University -- Societies, etc
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- Archives
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- Records and correspondence
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- History -- Sources
Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- Archives
Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- Records and correspondence
Sigma Delta Chi. Indiana University Chapter -- History -- Sources
Access
- RESTRICTIONS:
-
Collection is open for research. Advance notice required.
- TERMS OF ACCESS:
-
The donor(s) of this collection have not transferred their copyrights for the materials to the Trustees of Indiana University. For more information, please contact the Indiana University Archives staff.
The Indiana University Archives respects the intellectual property rights of others and does not claim any copyrights for non-university records, materials in the public domain, or materials for which we do not hold a Deed of Gift. Responsibility for the determination of the copyright status of these materials rests with those persons wishing to reuse the materials. Researchers are responsible for securing permission from copyright owners and any other rights holders for any reuse of these materials that extends beyond fair use or other statutory limitations.
Digital reproductions of archival materials from the Indiana University Archives are made available for noncommercial educational and research purposes only. If you are the copyright holder for any of the digitized materials and have questions about its inclusion on our site, please contact the Indiana University Archivist.
- PREFERRED CITATION:
-
[Item], Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, Indiana University Chapter records, Collection C453, Indiana University Archives, Bloomington.
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- LOCATION OF THIS COLLECTION:
-
Herman B Wells Library E4601320 East Tenth StreetBloomington, Indiana 47405-7000, United States
- CAMPUS:
- Indiana University Bloomington
- CONTACT:
-
812-855-1127archives@indiana.edu