Looking Back as PR Student | Thank You

Tonight, I was recognized as the recipient of the Walter E. Griscti Scholarship on behalf of the USF School of Mass Communications and the Tampa Bay chapter of PRSA. It was a great honor, and I am very thankful for the recognition. I am very thankful to all of my advisors: my professors, my family, my professional network. All of you have been a huge contributor to this achievement.

Transition of Presidency: Me with Heather

The Awards Banquet tonight got me thinking about how far I’ve come since I first became a major in public relations in Spring 2008. I remember taking Mass Comm and Society with Robert Batchelor when I first heard the phrase “public relations.” After studying that brief chapter and talking to Batchelor, I took a leap of courage into a field I really hadn’t known much about. But I was learning quickly. I volunteered with a team of students working on the Bateman Competition. And I soon joined PRSSA. That was an incredible step in my college experience, and I owe much of my knowledge to the experiences I have had within that community: agency tours, guest speakers, professional seminars and exposure to emerging media tools.

Two years later, and here I am receiving this scholarship. And tonight, I met again the public relations practitioner — the CEO and President of ChappellRoberts — the first agency I ever set foot in, back when it was Roberts Communications. It was at that moment two years ago when I first realized the importance of integrated marketing — of an agency that is not afraid, that has the courage to excel and push the industry to new levels. Tonight, Colleen Chappell reminded me of why I chose this career. And she reminded me to have the courage and the confidence to stay true to my beliefs, to my passion and to my values.

I am in public relations because I truly believe it can make a difference in the world. We have the power and the responsibility to promote and to protect the truth. I am excited to be a part of such a thriving, engaging community. Thanks again for the scholarship and I look forward to an exciting future: one of positive growth and change.

This entry was posted on Saturday, May 1st, 2010 at 2:49 am. It is filed under PR & Media, PRSSA, Personal Updates and tagged with Bateman Competition, Griscti, PRSA, PRSA Tampa Bay, PRSSA, public relations, University of South Florida, USF. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.