HSJI celebrates 80th anniversary
For 80 years, the Indiana University High School Journalism Institute has attracted students to the Bloomington campus, not only to experience a taste of collegiate life but also to grow personally and academically. As we celebrate this anniversary, we proudly reflect on the Institute’s history, its growth, and the extraordinary alumni who continue to shape the Institute’s legacy.
Founded in 1946, the Institute began as a small summer workshop designed to help high school students strengthen their writing and reporting skills. Early sessions emphasized fundamentals—clear writing, careful editing, and ethical responsibility—often working under tight deadlines on manual typewriters. Soon the program became known for its hands-on approach and practice of connecting students with experienced educators and working journalists.
As we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize the remarkable community that has shaped the Institute’s legacy. Our alumni include award-winning reporters, editors, broadcasters, and media leaders who have gone on to work at major news organizations, earn prestigious honors, and make meaningful contributions to journalism and beyond. Their achievements reflect the Institute’s enduring outreach and educational mission: to develop and support scholastic journalism, which serves as an outlet for student voices and for civic engagement.
In 2021, the Institute honored 75 distinguished alumni for their contributions to journalism and related fields, highlighting the impact HSJI participants nationwide. Building on that recognition, the Institute is proud to announce that five additional alumni will be selected in 2026 as part of the 80th anniversary celebration, further expanding this group of honorees and recognizing excellence across generations.
As the media landscape evolves, so does HSJI — integrating digital skills to reach audiences across platforms while staying grounded in core values that have defined the Institute since 1946: truth, accuracy, fairness, accountability, and public service.
For alumni, the Institute remains not just a formative summer experience, but a lifelong connection to a community committed to strong, ethical journalism and the role of a free press in a democratic society.
We invite alumni, students, faculty, and friends to join us in celebrating this special occasion and in honoring 80 years of impactful journalism education. Cheers to the students we’ve inspired, to the voices we’ve amplified, and to the future of scholastic journalism!