The University of Iowa's journalism school is turning 100 this year. How it will celebrate:

The Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building is pictured Wednesday, April 10, 2024, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building is pictured Wednesday, April 10, 2024, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly identified the time of a University of Iowa School of Journalism and Mass Communication event. The “Inside Scoop,” which featured appearances by several Iowa journalists, was held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 12.

The University of Iowa journalism program has surpassed the century mark.

The UI's School of Journalism and Mass Communication was founded 100 years ago in 1924, opening the door for thousands of high-profile journalists. The school has helped grow the industry along with the aid of the 155-year-old independent student newspaper, The Daily Iowan.

The journalism school will commemorate the historic anniversary with a celebratory dinner on Saturday, April 13, highlighted by speeches from a number of well-respected professionals.

Chicago Sun-Times reporter and columnist Maudlyne Ihejirika, a journalism school alumna, was scheduled as the featured guest speaker, along with University of Iowa president Barbara Wilson, dean Sara Sanders, and professional advisory board member Mark Mathis.

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The Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building is pictured Wednesday, April 10, 2024, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.
The Adler Journalism and Mass Communication Building is pictured Wednesday, April 10, 2024, on the University of Iowa campus in Iowa City, Iowa.

PBS and ESPN execs and journalism professor make up Hall of Fame class

The weeklong celebration includes three new University of Iowa School of Journalism Hall of Fame inductees.

New York PBS executive producer Dana Roberson, ex-ESPN vice president of programming and current media executive Mark Shapiro, and journalist and ex-UI journalism professor Jane Singer were inducted during an invitation-only ceremony on Friday, April 12. All three inductees are graduates of the University of Iowa.

The journalism Hall of Fame is on the third floor of the 19-year-old Adler Journalism Building.

Several prominent Iowa journalists, including Des Moines Register investigative reporter Lee Rood, Black Iowa News founder Dana James, Iowa Public Radio's Zachary Oren Smith and former Des Moines Register reporter and editor Randy Evans, were scheduled to speak Friday night at an affiliated event hosted by the journalism nonprofit Investigate Midwest.

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Hall of Fame recognizes prominent alumni

The UI Journalism Hall of Fame includes distinguished alumni who have made significant contributions to the field, including pioneers, progressive thinkers and Pulitzer Prize winners over the past century.

Iowa native George Gallup was the first inductee, earning his spot in 1948. He is perhaps best known for the public opinion polls that bear his name, which cover topics such as presidential approval ratings, voter enthusiasm and workplace concerns.

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Longtime Daily Iowan publisher Bill Casey was inducted in 2013 after more than four decades at the helm of the independent student-run paper. He helped expand and lead the publication into the modern era, collaborating to launch DITV, the student newscast. He broadened the DI's reach from a purely print product to an online publication as well.

The Hall of Fame has also inducted current, prominent contemporary journalists like Seung Min Kim, an Associated Press White House reporter with years of experience at the Washington Post and Politico, along with USA TODAY sports executive editor and vice president Roxanna Scott.

The 100th anniversary celebration dinner was scheduled for 6 p.m. Saturday, April 13. Registration closed on April 3.

Ryan Hansen covers local government and crime for the Press-Citizen. He can be reached at rhansen@press-citizen.com or on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ryanhansen01.

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: University of Iowa's journalism school is turning 100: What to know