Matthew Loriso
Staff Writer
The Society of Professional Journalists La Verne Chapter was recently awarded $500 to fund a program of its choice.
This grant was one of 10 given out by the National association, based in Indianapolis, Ind. Earning the grant was helpful to the University of La Verne’s local chapter.
“The grant was available and our club didn’t really have a direction,” said John Patrick, the University SPJ chapter vice president. “This was a great way to get money and direction.”
Chapter president Matt Paulson headed the grant application process.
“We were in pretty high company,” Paulson said. “We were one of a handful of chapters throughout the nation to get one of these grants.”
Not all of the details have been worked out as of yet, but La Verne members hope to use the grant to host a high school print contest sometime between mid-April and early May.
Local high schools would come to the University of La Verne for instructional sessions.
After listening to guest speakers, attendees would search for content to write stories.
These stories would be read and judged and La Verne chapter members would award the best news story, sports story, feature and editorial.
This contest could benefit the University.
“It’s going to introduce ULV to local high schools and show them what a powerhouse we are for communications,” said George Keeler, SPJ adviser and professor of journalism. “We are a big name school in the journalism world.”
This is, without a doubt, due to the ambitious members of SPJ’s local chapter , Keeler said.
“I have self-starting students who went after this grant by themselves, gained it on our high reputation, and now are going to do a public service project that will enhance the reputation of the University of La Verne,” Keeler said. “I’m proud of them.”
Matthew Loriso can be reached at mloriso@ulv.edu.
