WWU's student chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists named Region 10 Outstanding Chapter and Campus Program of the Year

The WWU chapter of the Society for Professional Journalists received Outstanding Chapter and Campus Program of the Year, Region 10, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Alaska. 

Seniors Franny Vollert and Peyton Perdue are the current chapter presidents.

“The student chapter’s unofficial motto has been ‘Come to SPJ to learn what you’re not learning in class.’ They’re a dedicated, enthusiastic group that recognizes the value of networking and the prestige of SPJ, which was founded in 1909,” said faculty advisor and Associate Professor of Journalism Peggy Watt.

Since 1979, the WWU SPJ has a long history of supporting students by connecting them with professionals in the field, offering tours of local media groups, and workshops for resumes and internships. 

“Last year’s programs included workshops on finding internships, field trips to local newsrooms and a discussion of AI use,” says Watt. “The program that was chosen Region 10’s best was the idea of three advanced PR students, who coordinated with the SPJ chapter to schedule a meet-and-greet with Cascadia Daily News. It was a lively, interesting and successful program. Some of the CDN staff are Western journalism alumni who were part of the SPJ chapter years ago.”

The chapter won Outstanding Chapter in Region 10 in 2015-16 and 2021-22 as well. 

To learn more about WWU Journalism, visit https://chss.wwu.edu/journalism

Frances Badgett covers the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the College of Fine and Performing Arts Communications. Reach out to her with story ideas at badgetf@wwu.edu.