UF's PRSSA chapter named tops in the nation

November 1, 2011

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — The University of Florida’s chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America was named the outstanding chapter in the nation at the 2011 F.H. Teahan National Chapter Awards ceremony last month.

The Teahan Chapter Awards are PRSSA’s most prestigious awards for chapters and advisers and are sponsored by the Champions for PRSSA, an organization of professionals with a special interest in PRSSA. UF’s chapter last won the outstanding chapter award in 2005. In addition to being recognized among the best in the country, winning chapters are presented with a monetary award to support their ongoing success.

“This first-place finish is a testament to the chapter’s hard work and the leadership of their officers,” said Spiro Kiousis, chairman of the department of public relations. “Our chapter was one of nine original chapters created in 1968. Today, the chapter operates its own public relations firm, Alpha PRoductions; provides professional development opportunities for its members; and actively participates in national activities and events.”

The award was presented during the society’s national conference in Orlando Oct. 17.

Students in UF’s public relations department in the College of Journalism and Communications have earned several honors this year.

In May, a team of UF public relations students took first prize in PRSSA’s 2011 Bateman Case Study Competition, the country’s premier competition for public relations students. Conducted annually, the Bateman Competition judges teams of college students on their ability to develop and present a comprehensive public relations campaign. The chapter also was selected as the host chapter for PRSSA’s annual conference.

“We are very proud of our PRSSA chapter and our public relations department,” said John Wright, dean of the UF College of Journalism and Communications. “This award is the culmination of an outstanding year for our public relations students and faculty. We want to particularly recognize the efforts of faculty adviser Deanna K.W. Pelfrey who so ably guides the chapter in these programs.”