NOVEMBER 2005

Wiggins named SPJ Outstanding Campus Adviser for revitalization of USC chapter

Ernest Wiggins, associate professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, was named the recipient of the 2004-2005 David Eshelman Outstanding Campus Adviser award during the recent Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) National Convention in Las Vegas. The Society of Professional Journalists presents this award annually to the individual who has contributed his or her time and energy as an SPJ campus chapter adviser and to the national organization over a period of time.

Professor Wiggins’ energy and passion for SPJ was the catalyst for the revival of the student chapter at the University of South Carolina last year. USC also joined SPJ as a collegiate institutional member.

"Thanks to Professor Wiggins’ passion and determination, the student chapter of SPJ was revitalized. Having a vibrant student chapter is good for our students as SPJ provides an opportunity for them to learn more about the news industry and issues of the day that affect journalists and the journalism they create, and a chance for students to network with reporters and editors. We are delighted that Prof. Wiggins’ outstanding service has been nationally recognized," said Dr. Shirley Carter, director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications.

Jordan Storm, vice president of USC's chapter of SPJ, added, "Professor Wiggins has been a monumental leader, one that I will try to emulate in the future. What is significant to note is how Professor Wiggins acts as a guide, a facilitator and a thought-provoker. He challenges our chapter to take initiative and to think bigger and bolder in regards to our programming and projects.” (Read Storm's full comments which were used by the national chapter during the presentation of the award.)

Before joining the USC faculty in 1993, Wiggins was a reporter and editor at the Columbia (S.C.) Record and The State newspapers. He currently teaches mass media writing, magazine article writing and media ethics in the J-School.

Following is the original iSITE feature Wiggins wrote in September 2004 as part of his SPJ revitalization efforts.

SEPTEMBER 2004

Preserving the Profession
Talk is cheap: Free Speech isn't.

by Professor Ernest Wiggins

When Walter Williams founded the first journalism school in September 1908 at the University of Missouri, newspapering, once a trade, was reborn as a "profession."

As Williams laid the education foundation for the training of reporters and editors, he was securing journalism's place among traditional university disciplines.

Journalism education has evolved over the past 96 years, but its mission is still preparing students for entry into news rooms (and, as in the case of our school, public relations offices and advertising agencies) by emphasizing the professional practices.

One year after the Missouri School opened its doors, a group of students at DePauw University founded Sigma Delta Chi, an honorary journalism organization, though there was no journalism school at DePauw.

The founders of SDX wanted to promote the free flow of information to the public, contribute to the education of the next generation of journalists and protect the freedom of speech and the press. In 1988, SDX (no longer wanted to be perceived as an exclusive Greek-letter organization) changed its name to the Society of Professional Journalists but its purpose did not change: "To improve and protect journalism."

In need of a revival

A large number of SPJ's nearly 10,000 members are students, which is fitting considering the organization's history. The campus chapter at the University of South Carolina fell into dormancy a few years back. Last spring, after surveying the media landscape, I decided it was time for a revival.

I'd had enough of newspaper, news magazines and televised news accounts of journalists straying from the core values of the profession -- accuracy, fairness and independence -- and setting their self-interest above the public's interest. I hoped and expected reputable media operations would attend to the problems of dishonesty and incompetence among the ranks or reporters and editors, but decided we who are in journalism schools must redouble our efforts to improve and protect journalism.

Filling in the gaps

Students entering the USC School of Journalism and Mass Communications are offered one of the finest educations in the country. The faculty has rooted the program firmly in the liberal arts, reasoning, as Williams did, that media professionals must understand the world in all of its complexity to report on it accurately.

Concurrently, students undergo rigorous training in media practices and are strongly encouraged to complement classroom instruction with work at student media and summer or semester internships in the "real world." Our professional constituents expect new journalists to be sharp and capable, ready and able to contribute to the reporting and delivery of the news.

Reviving SPJ will help us better immerse our students in the culture of the profession.

Print and broadcast students and others interested in working in the field can join SPJ and learn the traditions and values of journalism through programs and workshops, networking and mentoring opportunities, regional and national conferences and conventions and annual competitions. Involvement in student chapters of professional organizations helps fill in the gaps, generates enthusiasm, deepens commitment and reinforces core values.