1998-99 PRSSA Annual Report

A Year of Accomplishment

• PRSSA distributes its first-ever national recruitment video. Produced under the direction of the 1997-98 National Committee, this three-minute piece was the first step in establishing a national recruitment campaign that will unify recruitment efforts across the country.
• A newly redesigned PRSSA website is launched at www.prssa.org.
• PRSSA relaunches the PRSSA JobWeb with improved graphics and content.
• The University of Nebraska at Lincoln becomes the 207th chapter of PRSSA.
• DePaul University becomes the 208th chapter of PRSSA.

• The PRSSA National Committee kicks off the second year of the PRSSA National Phone Tree.

• PRSSA hosts its National Conference in Boston, Mass. More than 900 students attend, making it the fourth largest conference in PRSSA's history.
• More members than ever, 63, apply for the PRSA Codispoti Technology Grant for National Conference. 19 are awarded.
• 29 students apply for the Betsy Plank/PRSSA Award. April Johnson from the University of Memphis receives first; Kent Landers from the University of Tennessee at Martin receives second; and Susan Kohlhausen from North Carolina State University receives third.
• University of Northern Iowa recognized as Outstanding Chapter of 1998 in the PRSSA Teahan Chapter Award program. Rowan University, Utah State University, Virginia Tech, Ohio University, Western Carolina University and Colorado State University receive awards in other categories.
• 32 members receive National Gold Key Awards
• 28 members receive National President's Citations
• Erica Merritt from Ursuline College and Crystal Prater from Bowie State University are awarded 1998 Multicultural Affairs Scholarships
• Donna Walther from Ohio Northern University receives the 1998 Professor Sidney Gross Memorial Award
• Dr. Rick Fischer from the University of Memphis receives the Jon Riffel Championship Award
• Robert D. Stack, APR, is inducted into the PRSSA Hall of Fame
• The University of Florida receives the first-ever National Pacesetter Award for their enthusiasm and leadership during the National Conference.
• Brigham Young University selected to host the 1999 National Conference in Anaheim, California.
• Twelve chapters present chapter development sessions during the National Conference.

• Official national membership count of 5,608
• PRSSA debuts a national job/internship guide as part of the JobWeb at www.prssa.org.

• Hood College becomes the 209th chapter of PRSSA

• Official national membership count of 5,794
• For the first time in PRSSA history, the National Assembly is open to all members - not just official delegates.
• Nearly 120 members attend the PRSSA National Assembly in San Francisco, California, making it the largest Assembly in history.
• The National Committee sponsors the first-ever PRSSA National Leadership Academy in conjunction with National Assembly.
• PRSSA passes a $3 per member, per year, national dues increase that will allow the National Committee to introduce increased services for chapters.
• University of Northern Iowa selected as production team for 1999-2000 FORUM.
• University of South Carolina selected as production team for the 1999-2000 PRSSA Web site.
• Gina Pesko from Syracuse University is elected as the Society's 26th National President.
• PRSSA National Committee votes to enforce a new chapter standards policy in an effort to encourage improved programming and service in the local chapters. Nearly 50 PRSSA chapters are placed on probation by the National Committee.

• The University of North Carolina at Charlotte becomes the 210th chapter of PRSSA.
• California State University at Fresno becomes the 211th chapter of PRSSA.
• PRSSA completes its annual schedule of regional activities. Eight chapters host events in various locations across the country.
• Northeast Louisiana State University, Utica College and Stephens College are announced as winners in 1998 national Aluminum Association competition.
• PRSA and PRSSA complete their first college program review outside the United States. Event marks a new march toward an increasingly international PRSA, and subsequently PRSSA.

• Several national transition teams begin forming goals for 1999-2000. Improvements in technology and member services are top priorities.
• Preparations are made for the printing and distribution of PRSSA's first national recruitment brochure. This piece marks another step in the effort to establish national brand identity for PRSSA on all college campuses.
• University of Florida, California State Unviersity - Long Beach and University of Georgia are announced as winners of the 1998-99 Bateman Case Study Competition.

• 1999-2000 PRSSA National Committee takes office

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