SPJ News
January 16, 2001

SPJ Mark of Excellence Awards Deadline Fast Approaches

The deadline for entering the Society of Professional Journalists' 2000 Mark of Excellence Awards Competition is fast approaching. All entries must be postmarked no later than January 26.

The annual competition honors the best in student journalism, including television, radio, magazines, newspapers, photography and online.

Enrty forms are available at the SPJ office, 224 Carroll Hall, the News-Editorial Faculty Office Suite (210-216 Carroll) and the Student Records Office. The fee for each entry is $7 for SPJ members, $14 for non-members.

The contest is open to anyone enrolled in a college or university and studying for an academic degree in 2000. All entries must have been published or aired in 2000 and the entrant must have been a student at the time of publication or broadcast. Unpublished manuscripts, classroom exercises and unaired news broadcasts do not qualify.

The entries are judged on overall excellence. The judging criteria includes accuracy and completeness, writing style, extenuating circumstances, effectiveness, and enterprise and ingenuity.

Entries are first judged on the regional level. Regional winners will be honored at the spring regional convention, and the first-place winning entries will be forwarded to the national competition.

The national winners will be honored Oct. 4-6 at the 2001 SPJ National Convention in Seattle/Bellvue, Washington.

SPJ Card Shows "Shu" Support

Jim Shumaker, UNC's beloved journalism professor, died Dec. 19, 2000 as a result of complications stemming from cancer. Before "Shu"'s death, journalism students and faculty demonstrated and outpouring of care, concern and support for the 77-year-old journalism icon.

About 90 signatures in all filled two large poster cards entitled "Thinking of Shu" that the UNC chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists sponsored.

Shumaker was teaching news writing and editorial writing this fall when he sought treatment for a sore shoulder. After a battery of tests at UNC Hospitals, he returned to the classroom, then returned Nov. 18, a few days prior to Thanksgiving Break, to the hospital for more tests. X-rays revealed cancer in his shoulder, liver, lungs and brain.

Learning of Shumaker's condition upon return from Thanksgiving Break, SPJ officers decided to make a large poster card available for students and faculty to sign on Wednesday, November 29. Fliers were quickly distributed around Carroll Hall and announcements made to various classes.

Response was overwhelming - so much that SPJ leaders decided to make another poster card available for students and faculty to sign on Thursday, November 30.

Accompanied by Shu's "twin" and colleague; Chuck Stone, SPJ Chapter President Geoffrey Graybeal and Vice President Jonathan Jones delivered the two poster cards in person on Friday, December 1.

From his corner room at UNC hospitals, a weak and groggy Shu was apparently surprised yet delighted by the gesture.

The poster cards as well as student visits and other cards, flowers and balloons helped brighten Shu's final days.

Thank you to all who participated in this special project. Shu will certainly be missed.

Hit the Beach at the Second Annual SPJ Region 2 Conference!

SPJ's Region 2 annual conference will take place March 30-April 1 in Ocean City, Md. but you should register soon!

The 2001 regional kicks off Friday evening, March 30, oceanside at the Carousel Hotel with a reception and auction to benefit the Legal Defense Fund.

On Saturday, it's a full slate of discussion topics critical to today's journalists. Saturday's luncheon will honor Region Two Mark of Excellence Award winners. Saturday night will conclude with a dinner and keynote speech.

The host hotel, the Carousel, is providing SPJ members with low rates. The Carousel is newly renovated with huge rooms. It features a beautiful indoor pool, workout room, indoor ice skating rink an Starbucks' coffee shop. There's outlet shopping and lots of restaurants and bars too.

Reservations are to be made directly with the Carousel Hotel at 800-641-0011. Tell them you are with SPJ to receive the following rates: Bayview $62/night, Oceanfront $82/night and 2 bedroom condo $169/night (prices quoted are for up to four people in a room). In order to guarantee this rate, reservations must be made by March 5.

Early-bird convention registration (by Jan. 31) is $50 for students and $80 for pros. Registration after Jan 31. is $60 for students and $90 for pros. Registration for guests is $50.

Registration forms for the 2001 Region Two Conference are available in the SPJ office, 224 Carroll Hall or from the News-Editorial Office Suite. For more information, contact Sue Kopen Katcef at (301) 405-7526 or via email at susiekk@aol.com

Paula LaRocque Book advertisement

URLs for Journalism Job-Hunters

An internet search will turn up lots of sites with jobs and job-finding information. Here are a few recommended by SPJ Adviser Frank Fee.
The Jobs Page - Just about as good as they come. You'll find tongs of valuable information on this site created by Joe Grimm, Detroit Free Press recruiting and development editor.

The JOMC Career Services page

American Journalism Review's Joblink for Journalists

Editors & Publisher's classifieds

Copy Editor magazine's job board

COMING EVENTS
January 23 - SPJ officers meeting at 5:30 p.m.
January 26 - Deadline to have MoE Award entries postmarked
January 30 - SPJ new member initiation ceremoney
March 1 - Deadline for ordering Paula LaRocque book
March 30 - April 1 - 2001 SPJ Region 2 Conference. Ocean City, Md