School of Communications - Elon University

Beyond the Classroom

 

The Society of Professional Journalists

The Elon SPJ group sponsors six special events a year, hosts guest speakers and offers journalism workshops open to the Elon University community. The national organization was first known as Sigma Delta Chi when it was started in 1909. Its members are dedicated to the idea that a free press is the cornerstone of our nation and our liberty. Members pay a $35 fee. In return they receive 10 issues of Quill, the SPJ magazine about journalists and journalism, and access to useful job banks and internship information offered through the SPJ web site. To read more information about the national organization, go to http://www.spj.org. For information about joining Elon's SPJ chapter, contact the group's adviser, Dr. Anthony Hatcher: 278-5774 or ahatcher@elon.edu.

Public Relations Student Society of America

The Elon PRSSA group meets with North Carolina and national communications professionals in various settings throughout the year. Elon students attend the national convention and compete in the national Bateman Case Study Competition, a prestigious and highly competitive contest. The national organization was formally begun in 1968. Elon's first chapter was formed in 2003. The declared purpose of PRSSA is to cultivate a relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners. The student society aims to foster the following: understanding of current theories and procedures of the profession; appreciation of the highest ethical ideals and principles; awareness of an appropriate professional attitude; appreciation of membership in PRSA. Today PRSSA has more than 8,000 members in 248 chapters on college campuses across the country. To read more information about the national organization, go to http://www.prssa.org. For information about joining Elon's PRSSA chapter, chapter dues and other points, contact the group's adviser, Dr. Barbara Miller: 278-5728 or bmiller9@elon.edu.

Lambda Pi Eta

The Elon chapter of Lambda Pi Eta, an organization affiliated with the National Communication Association, got its start in 1998. Any School of Communications student is eligible for membership when he or she has completed at least 60 hours of university credit, with at least 12 of those hours in the School of Communications. Members must possess no less than a 3.0 overall GPA, and a GPA of at least 3.25 in the School of Communications. The annual membership fee is $30. For more information, contact the group's adviser, Dr. Frances Ward-Johnson: 278-5738 or fward2@elon.edu.

Radio-Television News Directors Association

The Elon student chapter of RTNDA, the association of electronic journalists, has been active at Elon since 1999. The group meets for special activities and sponsors student trips to the annual RTNDA convention. It is open to all full-time students preparing for a radio or television journalism career. The cost is $50, and it includes access to a job bank, resume site and other web-based resources in addition to a one-year subscription to Communicator, the RTNDA magazine. For more information about joining the group, contact its adviser, Dr. Rich Landesberg: 278-5112 or rlandesberg@elon.edu.