PRSA Surpasses Fundraising Goal to Endow Multicultural Scholarship

PRSA reached the $50,000 goal needed to establish the Multicultural Scholarship Endowment following a fundraising concert event sponsored by PepsiCo. on Oct. 28 during the ICON 2020 virtual conference.

The scholarship assists and recognizes young men and women from underrepresented backgrounds for outstanding academic achievement and their commitment to public relations.

“We are beyond thrilled to reach this important milestone, which will help guarantee that diverse students get the chance to continue their education and embark on careers as communications professionals,” said T. Garland Stansell, APR, PRSA’s 2020 chair. 

PRSA established the Multicultural Scholarship in 1989 and currently provides two $1,500 awards each year. Students from colleges and universities across the country have benefited from the program since its debut.

PRSA to Present 6 Bylaw Proposals Before the Leadership Assembly

During the virtual 2020 Leadership Assembly on Dec. 5, PRSA will present six Bylaw proposals based on the recommendation of the Board of Directors and the Governance Committee. 

The complete text of each of these proposals is available in the library of the Feedback for PRSA Community on MyPRSA. 

PRSSA Welcomes 2 New Chapters

Fairfield University in Fairfield, Conn., and Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala., have established PRSSA Chapters on their respective campuses.

Bora Yook, Ph.D. and Wen Zhao, Ph.D., will serve as faculty advisers. PRSA’s Westchester/Fairfield Chapter will help foster student and professional connections. 

At Oakwood University, a historically black, Seventh-day Adventist institution, Dawnette Chambers, assistant professor of communication, is the faculty adviser. PRSA’s Alabama Chapter will provide networking and mentoring opportunities.

PRSSA has nearly 375 Chapters worldwide, including 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Educators Academy Names David Ferguson Award Recipient

The PRSA Educators Academy honored Kim L. Hunter with its 2020 David Ferguson Award. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the advancement of PR education on the part of communicators.

Working for more than 20 years to increase diversity, equity and inclusion in the profession, Hunter, CEO of the Los Angeles-based LAGRANT COMMUNICATIONS, has backed up his words with action. 

In 1998, he founded the LAGRANT Foundation, which since its inception has provided $2.7 million and 643 scholarships to diverse talent in advertising, marketing and public relations.

PRSA Remembers Jerry Dalton, APR, Fellow PRSA

Retired Brig. Gen. H. J. (Jerry) Dalton Jr., APR, Fellow PRSA, the first communications professional to head the U.S. Air Force’s Pentagon-based public affairs operation, died on Nov. 1. He was 93.

Dalton was a longtime PRSA volunteer and leader, serving as national president in 1990. In 2007, PRSA presented Dalton with its highest individual honor — the Gold Anvil Award.

His peers have referred to him as “a true pioneer in public relations.”

Dalton retired in 1980 after a 30-year career as a combat-decorated Air Force veteran. He spent his last five years in uniform as director of public affairs, reporting to the chief of staff and secretary of the Air Force.

In July 2019, the Pentagon officially unveiled the “Brigadier General H.J. Dalton Jr. Conference Room.”