51�� student journalism organization adds to record-setting performance with 11th title

51�� SPJ members stand together and hold the national award

The 51�� chapter of Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) was honored with its 11th during October’s MediaFest25, which was SPJ’s national conference.

The chapter hosted 25 events during the 2024-2025 academic year, including hands-on ethics sessions, career development workshops and a standout interactive presentation on food journalism. The chapter also sponsored timely conversations on protest coverage, identity in reporting and newsroom ethics.

“Their impact extended beyond campus as chapter board members mentored high school students through the Columbus Journalists in Training program, offering advice about interviewing and reporting, and detailed their experiences studying and practicing journalism at OU,” SPJ National President Chris R. Vaccaro said.

This year’s chapter president, Lilly Marinski, said: “It has been an honor to see our members apply the ethical judgment they’ve worked to learn and practice through our chapter across various student media outlets on campus. This award reflects the unwavering dedication, passion and integrity of our members, who continue to uphold the highest standards of journalism. I am incredibly proud of our executive board and our members for creating an enriching space for journalism students to connect with peers, mentors and professionals.”

Chapter Advisor Nerissa Young called this year’s award “one for the big toe.” Young is a professor of instruction in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism.

“Last year’s chapter leaders held up the standard of excellence that’s been part of OUSPJ on campus since the founding of the chapter in 1932. If we received rings for each national award, our fingers would be full, and we’d have to take off a shoe to put one on a big toe,” Young said.

The chapter’s first national titles were in 1976 and 1978. The remaining awards started in 2006 and include a streak of four in a row, tied with Iowa State University’s chapter for most titles in a row. OHIO’s chapter has more national titles than any other chapter.

E.W. Scripps School of Journalism Director Dr. Hans Meyer said: “This shows how focused Scripps students are on advancing journalism as a profession and maintaining the highest standards of ethics, reporting and transparency. I’m so proud of all that our students have accomplished and look forward to what they’ll achieve in the future.”

Young added: “I hope the university understands what this achievement means. If a Bobcat sports team posted its 11th national championship, there’d be parades down Court Street and justifiably so. What OUSPJ has done combines experiential learning, professional development and support for the democratic principles that have defined America for almost 250 years.”

, founded on DePauw University’s campus in 1909, is the nation’s oldest journalism organization with about 200 campus and professional chapters across the U.S. and its territories.

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