PRSSA History

A Brief History | The First Chapters | National Committees

Foreword

PRSSA Godfather Chris Teahan’s parting gift to the student organization he loved was to write the history of its early years. His work documented the birth pains of PRSSA and his influential partnership with two other Godparents – Jon Riffel and J. Carroll Bateman. It’s an exciting story of a long, stubborn struggle by educators, students and practitioners – climaxed by triumph at the November 1967 PRSA Assembly in Philadelphia, where delegates voted unanimously to establish PRSSA.

One story that’s missing from Chris’ account came from Jon Riffel. After the vote, he left the Assembly floor and headed up to his hotel room. Strangely, the door was open. Even stranger was the sight of a familiar University of Florida student on the phone. His explanation: He had talked the housekeeper into letting him in to wait for Jon. His irresistible apology: He was keeping an open line to a Gator in Gainesville so that campus would be the first to get the word about PRSSA and to celebrate! For years, Jon told that impudent story with special delight.

All three Godfathers are no longer on the scene. But they are represented with special spirit by Carroll’s only son, Walter, a retired insurance CEO. Like all three once were, Walter is an ardent Champion. He attends every PRSSA Conference, inspires students about business ethics, and serves annually as a Bateman Competition judge. Walter is a strong supporter of PRSSA scholarships, awards and – yes – this book.

Reporting the second 20 years of PRSSA are two other remarkable PRSSA Champions – Dr. Susan Gonders of Southeast Missouri State University and Dr. Barbara DeSanto of Washburn University. Their labor of love and research represents the unfailing dedication of generations of educators to students, their studies and preparation for the practice.

With this 40th anniversary gift, the Champions salute the authors, PRSSA, its progress and promise, its founders, its advisors, and PRSA, its parent which continues to nurture the student organization.

For those who know its history, PRSSA has proved to be one of the most significant achievements in defining public relations as a profession. Read and take pride, our colleagues!

A Brief History (pdf format)