Who We Are

(C) 2008 Syracuse Press Club.

The Syracuse Press Club's First 50 Years (continued)

Over the years, the club held a number of successful dinners, luncheons and other affairs. One of the club's most renowned speakers was Vice President Richard M. Nixon, who spoke at a 1960 dinner at the Hotel Syracuse, attracting a capacity crowd of 722. Other nationally-known speakers included Presidential candidate Ronald Reagan, Governors Nelson Rockefeller and Averill Harriman, Senators Barry Goldwater and Ted Kennedy, Rudolph Giuliani, and newsmen Bill Moyers, Richard Valleriani, and Ford Rowan.

For many years, the SPC maintained club rooms at the Hotel Onondaga, then at Midtown Plaza, and later at the Hotel Syracuse, where members could socialize and share a few drinks. Those days, unfortunately, are long gone, due in part to economic pressures and the changing nature of the media industry.

The Syracuse Press Club was incorporated July 29, 1954 (although one document shows an Aug. 4, 1954 date). On April 27th of that year, papers were requested from the state Board of Standards and Appeals and filed on July 16th. The document was signed by SPC President Richard A. Page, and board members Oley Sheremeta, Collin B. Weschke, Joseph K. Kensin, and Karel (Bud) Vanderveer. The attorney for the club was Maurice H. Sharp.

Having celebrated its Golden Anniversary in 2001, the Syracuse Press Club continues its goals to serve the membership through informative programs, advocacy, and special events, such as the Professional Recognition Awards and the Wall of Distinction. --Joseph A. Porcello (and other sources)