NSPA & ACP THROUGH THE DECADES

1966

< FOUNDER E. MARION JOHNSON, 73, DIES

Edward Marion Johnson, a founder and first director of NSPA, dies at age 73.

Known as “Johnny” by his students, he was asked by students and associates to be the faculty adviser of a high school press association they created at the University of Wisconsin in 1921.

With the blessing of the University of Wisconsin, Johnson had moved NSPA and Scholastic Editor to the University of Minnesota in 1928 when he became chair of the Department of Journalism. He directed NSPA for his first two years in Minneapolis. He left Minnesota in 1930 to enter business.

1968

< KILDOW RETIRES; QUALE NEW DIRECTOR

For the first time in 45 years, NSPA/ACP welcomes a new director — Otto Quale

The vice president of Jostens, Quale had established and managed the company’s yearbook business. Early in his career, from 1946-50, Quale served as NSPA/ACP assistant director and MHSPA director. He serves as director until 1973.

At his first conference as NSPA director, Quale rides into the opening ceremony at the Palmer House ballroom in Chicago on a Bonanza mini-motorcycle. A student from Walton, Nebraska, won the donated mini-bike in a drawing.

MAGAZINE NAME, FOCUS CHANGES

Scholastic Editor gets a new name.

At The Typewriter

“Newspaper staffs throughout the country spent many hours at their typewriters to earn the ratings printed in this issue. This excellent picture appeared in the 1955 Whirlgig, Greensboro High School (North Carolina),” reports Scholastic Editor magazine.

⊲ WORLDWIDE

1970 The Doonesbury cartoon strip debuts in 30 newspapers.

1971 Norman Lear pokes at controversy in his TV show “All in the Family.”

1972 U.S. bombs North Vietnamese cities.

1973 The Watergate hearings begin.

1974 President Nixon resigns, and President Ford pardons him.

1975 U.S. evacuates personnel and refugees from South Vietnam.

1977 George Lucas directs “Star Wars.”

1979 Inflation hits 13.3 percent in Amercan ans Iran holds 50 U.S. hostages.

“To keep its readers attuned to fast-moving, day-by-day advances in the graphic arts and mass communication, Scholastic Editor is broadening both its editorial and advertising concepts,” Otto Quale, NSPA/ACP director, said in his April column. While members still refer to the magazine as Scholastic Editor, its new name is Scholastic Editor Graphics/Communications.

As a nod to the new name, “Graphics/Communications” appears boldly on the cover with “Scholastic Editor” as a tagline. The magazine later reports confusion with members and libraries, so the nameplate is redesigned in 1969 with returned emphasis on “Scholastic Editor.”

KILDOWS PRESENTED CSPA GOLD KEYS

Fred and Lucille Kildow were both presented the Gold Key, Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s highest honor, for decades of work directing NSPA/ACP. They retired in January 1968.

1969

ACP, NCCPA LAUNCH AD BIZ AWARD

ACP and the National Council of College Publications Advisers launch the Pegasus Award for college newspaper advertising management. A Reader’s Digest Foundation grant funds cash prizes of $100 to $300. Fred Weddle, business manager of the Indiana Daily Student newspaper, was the first-place winner, and his winning entry appeared on two pages in Scholastic Editor.

ALL-AMERICAN DISPLAY

Displays of top-rated publications are a popular attraction at both the scholastic and collegiate conventions. Harold Haines, Louis Gellerman (sitting), Staten Eubanks, Owen Gingerich, Carroll Lindman, Roger Walks, Calvin John, delegates at the 1950 ACP convention in Chicago, study All-American newspapers for ideas.

Unexcused Absence

President Eisenhower visits Minnesota to dedicate the Hiawatha Bridge spanning the Mississippi River. More than 20,000 people attended the event in 1960.

Charlie Bass, a photographer for the Pacemaker-winning Rocket newspaper at John Marshall High School, Rochester, Minnesota, captures the visit on his Leica camera. Scholastic Editor magazine reports the 17-year-old photographer received an unexcused absence for skipping classes to capture history.