Society for Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Mass communications students majoring in the print, broadcast, online or photo
journalism sequences participate in the MSUM chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists, a national organization which promotes professional practices for student and working journalists. The chapter sponsors public forums in which journalists, students and interested members of the public discuss the role of journalism in current events. Chapter members attend regional and national conferences and compete nationally with other students through their writing, photography and online pieces. In 2005 SPJ named the MSUM student online magazine, horizonlines.org, one of the top student online publications in the nation. SPJ also honored MSUM student Lee Rieber as the best student television news photographer in the nation. Rieber was working for the student produced program Campus News shown locally on public television. Professor Martin Grindeland is advisor to the university chapter of SPJ.