School of Journalism celebrates centennial

You won’t find many typewriters in Ernie Pyle Hall today.

Since its founding 100 years ago, techniques in the School of Journalism haven’t changed, but the tools have, trading the pens for typewriters and, eventually, the computers 21st century students use.

“We’ve been around a long time,” said Owen Johnson, a journalism school professor since 1980. “We’re one of the oldest journalism schools in the country.”

The early years

Journalism instruction at IU began in 1893 with three students, according to the school’s website.

“Classes in writing and reporting were taught at intervals during the next few years, supplementing the students’ liberal arts background in English, history and economics,” the site said.

The College of Arts and Sciences launched the Department of Journalism in 1911, but students couldn’t major in journalism until 1932.

Professor Joseph Piercy served as the first head of the department until 1938. Pyle left school in 1923 for a reporting job one semester shy of a degree. He received an honorary degree in 1944.

From 1938 until his retirement in 1968, alumnus John Stempel served as head of the department.

“It was in the Stempel years that journalism, after moving through various offices on campus, found its home in Ernie Pyle Hall in 1954,” the site said.

Succeeding Stempel as department chair in 1968 was Richard Gray.

The program became a school in 1974. And eight years later, journalism became a field of study at all eight IU campuses. The Bachelor of Arts in Journalism has been available since 1990.

After 100 years, there are now more than 10,000 alumni worldwide.

Alumni remember

Marjorie  Blewett, a Bloomington native and  1948 graduate, started school in 1944 with the world at war and most of the male IU students in the service.

Journalism education isn’t the same as when Blewett was in school.

Blewett said she could still write and create headlines today, but making the product is questionable.

“I wouldn’t have the faintest idea how to put out a paper today,” she said. “There have been a lot of changes, but that’s life.”

But one aspect has stayed the same for Blewett — how the IU School of Journalism has put a continuous emphasis on writing.

“We have always been strong in journalism and writing throughout the 100 years,” she said.

Current faculty member Tom French is a 1981 graduate and won a Pulitzer for reporting in 1998.

French said the students are sharper than ever as the field changes.

“Journalism is constantly evolving, so the school is constantly evolving,” French said.

The future of IU journalism

“It’s a fascinating time for journalism and journalism education,” IU School of Journalism Dean Brad Hamm said. “Journalism will always be vital to any community.”

This year, the school will honor 15 graduates with the Distinguished Alumni Award. The first class, which includes graduates from throughout the century, several of whom are Pulitzer Prize winners, will be honored Friday at a banquet and ceremony.

For more information, visit journalism.indiana.edu.