PRSA Welcomes 11 New Members into its Prestigious College of Fellows in 2018

NEW YORK (July 12, 2018) — The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) has announced the election of 11 new members into the organization’s prestigious College of Fellows, an honorary organization within PRSA comprised of more than 350 senior practitioners and educators, each of whom has left a significant footprint on the public relations profession.

The 2018 College of Fellows inductees, who will be welcomed officially at a special ceremony and dinner on Oct. 6, in Austin, Texas, are:

Denise Blackburn-Gay, APR, Fellow PRSA, President & Founder, Marketing Strategies, Inc.; Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Katie Coates, APR, Fellow PRSA, President, PR Projects; Huntington Beach, California
Myra Cocca, APR, Fellow PRSA, Founding Principal, IronStrike LLC; Carmel, Indiana
Daniel R. Dunne, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director of External Communications, Erickson Living; Catonsville, Maryland
Jennifer Grizzle, APR, Fellow PRSA, President, The PR Studio, Inc.; Peachtree Corners, Georgia
Suzanne Hartman, APR, Fellow PRSA, Corporate Communications Manager, Chelan Public Utilities District; Wenatchee, Washington
Mark McClennan, APR, Fellow PRSA, Senior Vice President, MSLGROUP; Framingham, Massachusetts
Timothy Penning, PhD, APR, Fellow PRSA, Professor, School of Communications, Grand Valley State University; Allendale, Michigan
Philip Poole, APR, Fellow PRSA, Executive Director, University Communications (retired), Samford University; Birmingham, Alabama
Stacy Smith, APR, Fellow PRSA, Public Relations Consultant; Birmingham, Alabama
Brian S. Terrett, APR, Fellow PRSA, Director, Public & Community Relations, Legacy Health; Portland, Oregon

“These 11 College of Fellows inductees exemplify excellence and leadership in our profession. They have each established a lasting legacy through their outstanding service as counselors, mentors and role models,” said PRSA 2018 National Chair Anthony W. D’Angelo, APR, Fellow PRSA. “I congratulate them and hope that their achievements will encourage all members of PRSA and PRSSA to ‘aspire higher' in their own careers."

Election to the College, which was created in 1989 as part of an initiative focused on the future of public relations, is considered the pinnacle of a professional’s career. Fellows are seen throughout PRSA and the profession serving in Chapter, District, Section and National leadership positions, mentoring students and professionals, and teaching and engaging in professional practice.

To qualify for admittance into the College of Fellows, the public relations practitioner or educator must have at least 20 years of experience, hold the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential and have demonstrated exceptional capability and accomplishment in the practice or teaching of public relations. Fewer than 2 percent of PRSA members are accepted into the College of Fellows.

About the Public Relations Society of America
PRSA is the nation’s largest professional organization serving the communications community. The organization’s mission is to make communications professionals smarter, better prepared and more connected through all stages of their career. PRSA achieves this by offering its members thought leadership and innovative lifelong learning opportunities to help them develop new skills, enhance their credibility and connect with a strong network of professionals. The organization sets the standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct for the public relations industry. PRSA collectively represents more than 30,000 members consisting of communications professionals spanning every industry sector nationwide and college and university students who encompass the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Learn more about PRSA at www.prsa.org.

Media Contact:
Rod Granger
212-460-0307
rod.granger@prsa.org