With the original 1909 meeting at Baylor, the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) became the oldest state collegiate press association in the nation and has grown into one of the largest and most respected collegiate groups in the country.
First TIPA President
Baylor University
Contests have grown from three initial competitions to contests in general magazine, radio, television, online, yearbook, literary magazine and newspaper, plus 30 on-site contests during the annual convention.
TIPA also presents scholarships to students representing two-year and four-year institutions and annually recognizes a faculty Adviser of the Year. This award is special because recipients are nominated by their student staff members.
With almost a century of student press leadership by TIPA, it is only fitting that the association continues to grow, maintain itself as an example to others and continue to recognize its leaders, members and students who have passed through TIPA on their way to excellence in their chosen field.
From The Baylor University Lariat
Vol IX, No. 33, May 1, 1909, Pp. 1-2.
“Union Effected: Texas Inter-Collegiate Press Association organized this week in Baylor”
Baylor was hostess this week to the representatives of nine Texas schools, the meeting being held at Baylor’s call, for the purpose of organizing the T.I.C.P.A. The following account, written for the Waco Times-Herald, is at once graphic and “historically correct,” and we give it in full.
Responding to a call by Baylor, nine of the larger education institutions of Texas sent delegates to the organization of an Inter-Collegiate Press association. The different school periodicals for several months had discussed the feasibility of this organization and the delegates came with ideas and suggestions for the uplift of the Texas college publications. J.C. McElhannon of Baylor University was made temporary chairman, and Ernest Sansom of Southwestern University, temporary secretary, after which the following were enrolled: J.V. Connor, editor of the Corral, Simmons College; Walter Ford, editor of the Daniel Baker Collegian, Daniel Baker College; J.R. Ratliff, editor of Black and Gold, Decatur Baptist College; C.C. Prim, editor of the Journal, North Texas State Normal; D.H. Templeton, exchange editor of the Trinitonian, Trinity University; Miss Christine E. Woldert, editor of Daedalian, College of Indusrial Arts; C.L. Greene, editor of the Collegian, Texas Christian University; Ernest Sansom, editor of the Southwestern University Magazine; and J.C. McElhannon, exchange editor of the Baylor Literary.
Its objectives are to improve college journalism, to raise the standard of college publications and to bring the colleges and editors into closer and more vital relationship.
D.H. Templeton, Walter Ford and C.L. Greene were appointed on committee to draft a constitution. In the meantime round table discussions were held on the various subjects relating to college journalism, such as exchange departments, what constitutes criticism, the way to obtain subscription, the short story, poems and essays, mechanical arrangement, cover designs, editorial departments, general appearance, etc.
After two days of hard work the association was thoroughly organized and named the Texas Inter-Collegiate Press Association, stating that its objectives are to improve college journalism, to raise the standard of college publications and to bring the colleges and editors into closer and more vital relationship.
The purpose is to increase the literary value of college magazines and the constitution provides for three contests under the direction of the association: Poem Contest, Short Story Contest and Essay Contest – the prize for each is $10. Each school shall be allowed three delegates and one vote in business meetings. The annual meeting shall be the first Thursday and Friday in April. The official organ of the association will be the “Texas Inter-Collegian,” which shall be published annually, to contain the first, second and third prize story, poem and essay, the minutes of the association, the speeches delivered before the annual convention and the winning oration of the Texas State Oratorical contest.
After the adoption of the constitution, upon invitation Baylor University was chosen as host of the first annual convention in April 1910, and the following officers were elected: President, J.C. McElhannon, Baylor University; vice president, Ernest Sansom, Southwestern University; recording secretary, Miss Christine E. Woldert, College of Industrial Arts; corresponding secretary, Clois L. Greene, Texas Christian University; treasurer, D.H. Templeton, Trinity University.
The corresponding secretary was instructed to petition for membership in the Texas Press Association. After fifteen rahs were given for “The Texas Inter-Collegiate Press Asso- ciation,” the meeting was adjourned.