Texas Tech University - La Ventana Yearbook (Lubbock, TX)

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SDX Members are, STANDING, 1. to r.: Bronson Havard; Max Jennings; and Charles Richards, treasurer. SEATED, 1. to r. are: Jamie Anderson, pledge trainer; Julian Rodriguez, president; Lane Crockett; Travis Peterson, vice president; Bill Heard, secretary; Ray Finfe r and Lee Sneath. Extravaganza personalities from 1. to r. are: Julian Rodriguez, pres. of SDX; Miss Mademoiselle, Val Garner; Mrs. Raymond Marshall, first queen of Texas Tech who announced this years ' winner; Travis Peterson, pageant producer; Miss Playmate, Carolyn McDuff; and Extravaganza MC, Gene Price. Sigma Delta Chi is the professional journalistic society for men Although the organization was only established on the Tech campus in 1958, it has been in existence nationally since being founded in 1909 at DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. It is dedicated to the highest ideals in journalism and is comparable to those professional organizations serving the fields of medicine and law. Since journalists are expected to present the truth in every article they produce for publication, the society has adopted the motto, He Serves Best Who Serves the Truth. The watchword is Talent, Truth, Energy. Membership in Sigma Delta Chi is open to those male journalism majors maintaining a high grade-point average and manifesting a sufficient interest in the society and the field of journalism as a profession. He must be a junior or senior who upholds high journalistic codes and the ideals of Sigma Delta Chi. On the national level the society has several projects: the advancement of freedom of information — working with governmental officials and representatives to see that the public has every opportunity to know the news when it happens; presenting distinguished Service Awards to those making notable contributions to journalism; recruiting young talent for the field through scholarships, career programs, etc.; and international expansion. The QUILL is a monthly magazine for journalists, and is a respected voice of the profession. It is published by the national organization and distributed to 17,000 subscribers. The Texas Tech Student Chapter, though one of the smaller organiza- tions on campus, is one of the busiest. The year is begun on just such a note when the members meet with high school students visiting the campus for the annual J-Day activities. They brief the visitors as to the nature of college publications, and what they may expect when they enter college as a journalism major. Soon after the semester begins, Sigma Delta Chi — working with Theta Sigma Phi, women ' s journalism honorary — treats the new fresh- man journalism majors to a reception in the Journalism Bldg. The mixer affords new students an opportunity to meet faculty members. La Ventaria and Toreador editors, and upperclassmen in the department. Undoubtedly the biggest chapter undertaking is production of the La ' Ventana Extravaganza — the annual Miss America type beauty pageant. Held in Municipal Auditorium during February, the program includes the final eliminations in a contest that saw approximately 200 coeds entered in competition. The judges selected one coed as Miss Mademoiselle — Tech ' s most beautiful woman — and another as Miss Playmate. Both young ladies are featured elsewhere in La Ventana. ' With a theme of Caravan this year, the agenda included different talent performances in keeping with the far eastern flavor. Though the Miss Mademoiselle contest was its greatest undertaking, the members of Sigma Delta Chi worked with two other important projects during the spring semester. The annual SDX Awards Issue, published in conjunction with the Toreador, featured stories on those students, faculty and staff members who had made contributions to Tech above and beyond the call of duty. This issue is one looked forward to by many on campus, with the realization that these are the people who have done work for the school without receiving a comparable amount of the glory. The Sigma Delta Chi Gridiron Dinner is sponsored each year with the professional and student chapters working together. The program includes songs and short blackout skits roasting those people who have made news during the past year on the local, state or national level. The dinner costs $10 per plate and — held at one of the Lubbock country clubs — is always a sell-out. A stag event, it attracts many Austin and area government officials. The student and professional chapters work together in other areas as well. During the past year the ' West Texas Professional Chapter of Sigma Delta Chi treated the Texas Tech chapter to a careers conference and luncheon. Professional members working in all phases of journalism were on hand to discuss with the students those possi- bilities for work following graduation. The two groups mix during meetings and conventions throughout the year. Members of Sigma Delta Chi meet together socially at different times during the year — for the annual Student Publications Awards Banquet, the Journalism Dept. Christmas Party and various other functions during the term. Officers during the 1962-63 school year were: Julian F. Rodriguez, president; Travis L. Peterson, vice president; Bill Heard, secretary; Charles Richards, treasurer; and Jamie Anderson, pledge trainer. At the Awards Banquet, Richards — editor of the Toreador — was named Outstanding Male Journalism Graduate, and Rodriguez was announced as recipient of the ' W. E. Garets Award, given yearly to the outstanding SDX member, Ralph Sellmeyer, journalism faculty member, is the sponsor. »

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PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Left to right, Pam White, Royal Furgeson, Dr. Reginald Rushing, Mr. W. E. Carets, Dr. Everett Gillis, Mr. Ralph Sellmeyer, Mr. Phil Orman, Mrs. Jean.Finley, Larry Gibbs. This committee has the final decision of the selection of editors for the two college publications as well as the allocations of money for their operation. PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICE Doing the job of a small-scale TIME magazine, the Public Information Office of Texas Tech releases stories pertain- ing to Tech ' s faculty and students. This campus contact with the outside world gathers news about people and events on campus and conveys it to local, D hometown and area newspapers and air news sources. Whether it be a stu- dent who wins a scholarship, a series of lectures by a visiting professor, or something as simple as an organization ' s new slate of officers, PIO is sure to hear • of it. Heading this force of news gatherers is Mr. Adrian Vaughn, as director, and Mrs. Freda McVay, information rep- resentative. Their secretary, Mrs. Pat Wallace, takes tips on news and also serves as a news-gatherer for the Tech Times, a twice-monthly publication for faculty and staff. Due to limited size of the staff, the office urges campus departments to call news in to their staff. A main source of student news for hometown releases is the Toreador which Pi ' s student assist- ants scan for stories. The regular staff members have beats over the campus for collecting news. Four part-time assistants aid the PIO by typing ditto copies of stories and writing hometown releases. These assist- ants are all Tech students. PIO has its own photographer and this position is filled by Bill Williams. Bill does most of the photography for the office ' s re- leases. These releases go to regional, weekly, regular daily, fine arts and farm daily newspapers in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. In addition, the Avalanche- Journal and local radio and TV stations subscribe to the PIO releases. These news releases are often accompanied by pictures taken by Bill or other regular staff members. In addition to their news releases, the staff publishes the Tech Times. They assist in publishing Dad ' s News, Agri- culture Industry Reports, and Home Eco- nomics ' Tips and Topics. Another phase of the miniature wire service ' s mammoth help to the Tech campus is covering conventions and meetings, helping departments write bro- chures, supplying biographical informa- tion and pictures of Tech people who are speakers and lecturers, also handling special stories for magazines and news- papers. Housed in their new offices in the remodeled journalism building, the staff of PIO does an ever-growing service to the Tech campus and surrounding area.

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Mrs. Louise C. Allen sponsor THETA SIGMA PHI by Alayne Kornblueh Service and entertainment projects are synonymous with the name Theta Sigma Phi, women ' s journalism fraternity. The group is made up of those women who have a 3.0 in journalism with a 2.5 overall average. Their big project in the fall is Club Scarlet, the mock night club where Tech ' s Most Handsome Man is chosen. Skits are presented by interested organizations and the winners are awarded prizes. This year ' s winner was Pi Beta Phi and the most handsome man award went to Ronnie Malone. A tea for entertaining freshmen was co-sponsored with Sigma Delta Chi, men ' s journalism fraternity and Theta Sigs helped hostess a departmental coffee for ex-students at Homecoming. Equally active in the spring, members handle all the work which goes into the Women ' s Day issue of the Toreador besides publish Tech Tips, the handbook for women students sent to all incoming freshmen, under the auspices of the Dean of Women ' s office. In the spring a woman ' s fancy turns to fashions and Theta Sigs oblige Tech coeds with a Best Dressed Contest complete with style show. Clairie Adamson was the winner of this year ' s contest. Theta Sigs sponsor another contest for the best written Toreador stories-feature, editorial, news and the best news- photo of the year. The names of the winners in these four cate- gories are inscribed on a plaque hung in the journalism con- ference room. The big event of the spring is when members commemorate the founding date with an April Matrix Table Banquet which, this year honored Mrs. Louise C. Allen, retiring journalism professor and faculty advisor for the group. Mrs. Emily Lovell, whose New Mexico paper was judged the best weekly in the U.S. edited by a woman by the National Press Association, was guest speaker. Most Theta Sigs are active on the college publications and some have worked during the summers on professional papers and magazines. Throughout the year, the Theta Sigs work with Sigma Delta Chi, men ' s journalism society in various projects. .«- i ' 6»a: .: ■; :. kjbjn U lai-p Theta Sigma Phi Officers L. to R.: Jeannie Bookout, Alayne Kornblueh, Konnie Clearman. Members Lynn Buckingham and Gayle Machen at noon luncheon.