Iowa State University's Society of Professional Journalists chapter promotes freedom of the press as well as the highest standards in the practice of journalism..

The ISU chapter currently is preparing for the Mark of Excellence Awards contest. The chapter will pay $9 for up to 20 entrants in the regional contest. Please contact me if you want to enter your work.

The Iowa State student organization will also take part in the SPJ regionals in Wichita, Kan., in March.

The chapter also does outreach work to Iowa's public schools.

This year's officers are: Chris Mackey, president; Lopaka Baptiste, vice president; Katelyn Wazny, treasurer; Greg Eckstrom, secretary; Chelsea Walden, public relations officer; and Joe Owens, graduate student representative.