Special Collections Department
403 Parks Library
Iowa State University
Ames, IA 50011-2140

RS 22/5/0/15
Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi

Iowa State University Chapter
Records, 1913-1980


Descriptive summary

creator:

Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi. Iowa State University Chapter

title:

Records

dates:

1913-1980

extent:

1.42 linear feet (1 oversized box and 1 half-document box)

collection number:

RS 22/5/0/15

repository:

University Archives, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University.

 

Administrative information

access:

Open for research

publication rights:

Consult Head, Special Collections Department

preferred citation:

Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi, Iowa State University Chapter Records, RS 22/5/0/15, Special Collections Department, Iowa State University Library.

 

Historical note

The Iowa State University Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi was established in 1913, as a men's journalism honorary fraternity. The mission of Sigma Delta Chi is "[to] associate journalists of talent, truth, and energy into a more intimately organized unit of good fellowship, and in order to assist the members in acquiring the noblest principles of journalism and to cooperate with them in this field".

Originally open only to male undergraduate students majoring in journalism, Sigma Delta Chi allowed women to join in 1970. The chapter published newsletters and a magazine, The Green Gander. It held annual banquets called the Gridiron, which introduced new initiates. Sigma Delta Chi became the Society of Professional Journalists, Sigma Delta Chi in the 1973, and later dropped Sigma Delta Chi. The Iowa State chapter of Sigma Delta Chi appears to have been active until the 1980's and is no longer active on the Iowa State campus.

 

Collection description

This collection (1913-1980) contains news clippings, activity reports, Gridiron Dinner programs, and correspondence. Also included are directories and scholarship information pertaining to Iowa State University's Sigma Delta Chi chapter. A highlight of the collection is a letter typed and signed by a member: Henry C. Wallace, a former member who graduated from Iowa State College (University) in 1893, started the Farm and Dairy newspaper (later to become the Wallace's Farmer) and served as the Secretary of Agriculture from 1921-1924. A large plaque from the collection is housed in the University Archives Artifact Collection.

 

Organization

The series is arranged in alphabetical order.

 

Container list

Box

Folder

Title

Dates

1

1

Activity Reports

1924-1928

1

2

Code of Ethics

1980

1

3

Correspondence

1921-1929

1

4

Directory

1914

1

5

Gridiron Dinners

1914-1938

1

6

Membership Form

1980

1

7

National Convention Programs

1913-1920

1

8

News clippings

1916-1984

1

9

Newsletters – The Quill

1926

1

10

Newsletters – the Yearly Scorch

1932

1

11

Newsletters – S.D.C. News

1940

1

12

Roast Program

1926

1

13

Scholarship Information

n.d.

2

1

Certificate – Iowa State Report Chapter Efficiency Contest Sigma Delta Chi

1924

Map case

C409 D11

Certificate for Excellence in Newspaper Writing

1964-1965