E.W. Scripps School of Journalism dedicates SPJ National Historic Site plaque

It’s official. A plaque naming the Scripps College of Communication’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism as a Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Historic Site in Journalism can now be found on the second floor of the Schoonover Center. A dedication and unveiling ceremony was held on Oct. 9.

“This award was given in 2023 during the school’s centennial celebration, but we had to approve the wording of the citation, and the foundry had to cast the plaque in bronze,” said School Director Eddith Dashiell. “We’re excited to finally be here to officially celebrate.”

“I think an award like this is obviously illustrative of the legacy of excellence that has defined this school,” said Scripps College Dean Scott Titsworth during the ceremony. 

The School of Journalism is one of the oldest journalism schools in the nation. Named after E.W. Scripps, a penny press pioneer from Ohio, the school has long been recognized as a national leader in journalism education. It received several other honors during its 100th anniversary year including proclamations from the cities of Athens and Cincinnati designating an E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Day in both places, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown’s statement in the Congressional Record noting the school and its accomplishments during 100 years of journalism education on campus, and the naming of the school as an Ohio Historic Site in Journalism by the Central Ohio Pro Chapter of Society of Professional Journalists.

This national award is special as it not only recognizes the school’s significant contribution to journalism education in Ohio and beyond, but also celebrates a long-standing relationship with SPJ.

“Sigma Delta Chi, the forerunner of SPJ, came to Ohio University’s campus in 1932. Then, it was an honorary fraternity for men pursuing journalism studies. A few things have changed over the years. SPJ changed its name and became a professional organization, and women were admitted to the ranks,” said Dashiell. “The late Ralph Izard and Don Lambert, long-time chapter co-advisers, helped build the Ohio University chapter into a powerhouse for SPJ work.”

Paul H. Miller, BSJ ’47, was the guest of honor at the ceremony. The 100-year-old alumnus spoke about his journalism experiences as a student at Ohio University and how that led him to a lengthy journalism career which included a trip around the world as a reporter with the Akron Beacon-Journal.

The E.W. Scripps School of Journalism is now one of 112 National Historic Sites in Journalism designated by SPJ. It is one of eight sites in Ohio and one of eight universities recognized across the U.S. The school was the third journalism school to be so honored.

To learn more about the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism visit https://www.ohio.edu/scripps-college/journalism.