By: Natascha Toft Roelsgaard

The American Journalism Historians Association 2024 conference in Pittsburgh is fast approaching, and so is the chance to participate in our annual auction event to support graduate student travel. Maybe you are finally ready to part ways with an old bottle of whiskey collecting dust in the dark corners of your office, or you want to donate a signed copy of your latest book. 

Every year, AJHA members near and far donate treasured items to the cause, from books, magazines, and newspapers to antique cameras, newspaper totes, and original artwork. The money raised will help fund student travel to our annual conferences through the Sweeney Graduate Student Travel Stipend. 

Academic conferences present rich opportunities for networking and sharing research, both essential to graduate students as they advance in their academic careers. At the 2023 conference, six students received a travel stipend. One of them was Claire Rounkles, a doctoral candidate at the University of Missouri and assistant professor at the University of Memphis.

“The opportunity the conference provides students to engage with scholars and to learn how to present is invaluable. While receiving the travel stipend, I presented papers, work in progress, and served on a panel,” Rounkles wrote in an email. “Besides the opportunity to advance my research, I have also fostered connections that have helped me in the job hunt.”

Over 60 items were donated last year, and the auction raised $2,358. The committee hopes to surpass $3000 this year to help even more students attend the conference. If you want to donate an item, please fill out the form before Sept. 20. Uploading a photo and description of your item only takes a few minutes. Items will be up for bids during the week of the conference. Donated items must be brought to the conference in Pittsburgh, Pa.

The travel student stipend, named after the late Professor Michael S. Sweeney, ensures the inclusivity of graduate students at future conferences. “Any effort to continue the Sweeney Travel stipend will help future scholars and advance the legacy Mike Sweeney held of promoting students to be the best they can be,” Rounkles wrote in an email.

The auction website opens the week of Sept. 23 and will accept bids until just before the annual business meeting on Saturday, Oct. 5.