Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarships

2008 application form: PDF | Word

Deadline: Monday, June 2, 2008
Awards: $4,250 (total)

In October 2008, will you be a public relations junior or senior? If so, we invite you to participate in the 2008 Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarship Program. Requirements are noted in the Eligibility Section of this announcement. NOTE: There is no limit to the number of applicants from a PRSSA Chapter in good standing.

This unique program also honors the scholarship winners' Faculty and Professional Advisors. Now sponsored by the PRSA Foundation, the program was established by the Champions For PRSSA, an informal group of professionals who have special, ongoing interests in PRSSA, its members and public relations education. PRSSA has named the scholarships for Betsy Plank, who—together with PRSSA “godfather” Jon Riffel—founded the Champions in 1981.

Winners will be announced and the scholarships will be presented at the Awards Ceremony and Dinner during the 2008 National Conference in Detroit.

Entries will be judged by a committee of Champions who will name First, Second, and Third Honor winners. A Fourth Honor Scholarship may be awarded, or ties may be declared, provided there are candidates of special merit and sufficient funds.

Since the Scholarship Program was established in 1988, more than $91,000 has been awarded to 64 students in 45 schools. The PRSA Foundation is now building an endowment to fund these scholarships in the future.

Eligibility

Candidates must be PRSSA members enrolled in programs of public relations studies, preparing for careers in public relations, and in their junior or senior year of undergraduate studies.

AN OFFICIAL NOMINATION FORM MUST BE

1. Typed and completed by the candidate in the space provided, signed by the candidate, then signed by the Faculty and Professional Advisors of the PRSSA Chapter of which the candidate is a member.

THE COMPLETED FORM MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY

2. A letter of no more than two pages from either the Faculty or Professional Advisor, and

3. A signed statement of no more than 300 words from the candidate expressing his/her commitment to public relations and its ethical practice.

4. Also welcome, but not required, will be additional letters of recommendation (e.g. from internship employers, other educators, the alternative Advisor), each no more than two pages.

ALL MATERIALS

5. Must be typed and no materials other than those specified will be reviewed or considered by the judges (i.e., do not send resumes or work samples).

DEADLINE

6. For the 2008 program, the Nomination Form, supporting letters and candidate's statement must be received by Monday, June 2, 2008.

PRSSA
Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarship
33 Maiden Lane, 11th FL.
New York, NY 10038

Four Judging Criteria

• Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies

• Demonstrated leadership

• Practical experience, e.g. internships, other work/service, student firm work

• Commitment to public relations, particularly as expressed in the candidate's statement

Recognition

The PRSSA National Committee will publicize this major scholarship opportunity, encourage PRSSA members to aspire to candidacy, and acknowledge the winners in the PRSSA national publication, FORUM, and other communications. All of the Champions will be notified of the winners and their schools through the Champions Newsletter.

The Professional and Faculty Advisors of the PRSSA Chapter of which a winner is a member are encouraged to have the student Chapter, the sponsoring PRSA Chapter, and the school give attention to their scholarship winner at meetings and through their newsletters and other communications. Special cooperation is also sought from the PRSA Educators Academy and the PRSA Educational Affairs Committee, many of whose members are Champions For PRSSA.

SPECIAL NOTE TO PRSSA CHAPTER PRESIDENTS:

Please announce this significant scholarship opportunity at your next Chapter meeting and in your Chapter newsletter and make the application (next two pages) available to all interested members. Next spring, be sure to remind them of the Friday, June 1, deadline!

HONOR ROLL OF SCHOOLS
During 1989-2006, scholarships have been awarded to 67 students at these 47 schools:

Ball State University - 1992, 1996
Bowling Green State University - 1992
Brigham Young University - 1993, 1997
California State Univ., Fullerton-1989, 1991, 2001
Colorado State University - 1997
Cornell University - 1990, 1996
Fashion Institute of Technology - 2003
Florida Memorial University - 2006
Florida A&M University - 2004
Georgia State University - 2001
Howard University - 1992
Iowa State University - 2004
John Carroll University - 2005
Kansas State University - 1993
Kent State University - 1999
Lehigh University - 2002
Loyola University New Orleans - 2003
Moorhead State University - 1995
North Carolina State University - 1991, 1998
Ohio Northern University - 1999, 2006, 2007
Otterbein College - 1994, 1997, 2000, 2002, 2004
Point Park College - 1996
Purdue University - 1991, 1993
Rowan University - 1992, 2005,2007
Rutgers University - 1989
St. Cloud State University - 1999
Susquehanna University - 1995
Syracuse University - 1990, 1996, 1999
University of Florida - 1990, 2005
University of Georgia - 1994, 2002
University of Iowa - 1995
University of Louisiana, Baton Rouge - 2000
University of Memphis - 1998
University of Northern Iowa - 1994
University of Oklahoma - 1989
University of the Pacific - 1990
University of South Carolina - 2002
University of South Florida - 2006
University of Southern California – 2000
University of Tennessee, Chattanooga -1995
University of Tennessee, Martin - 1998
University of Tennessee, Knoxville - 1993, 2001
University of Wisconsin, Whitewater - 1991
Ursuline College - 2001
Villanova University - 2007
Westminster College - 2003
Western Kentucky University - 1989

Winners - 2007

First Place - Daniel Trucil – Villanova Univerist

Second Place (tie) - Megan May – Ohio Northern University; Rosie Braude – Rowan University

Winners - 2006

First Place - Esther Fraser, Florida Memorial University

Second Place - Barbara Tate, Ohio Nothern University

Third Place - M. Bryan Blaise, University of South Florida

Winners - 2005

First Place - Arianna Stefanoni, Rowan University

Second Place - Kara Czerniak, University of Florida

Third Place - Amanda Majewski, John Carroll University

Winners - 2004

First Place - Danielle Lewis, Florida A&M University

Second Place - Katie Peltier, Otterbein College

Third Place - Emily Oliver, Iowa State University

Winners - 2003

First Place - Sarah Dhane, Loyola University New Orleans
Faculty Advisor – Cathy Rogers
Professional Advisor – Cyril Guerrera

Second Place - Melissa Logan, Westminster College
Faculty Advisor – Dee Natale
Professional Advisor – Debbie Foster

Third Place - Christina Hawley, Fashion Institute of Technology
Faculty Advisor – Roberta Elins
Professional Advisor – Grace T. Leong

Winners - 2002

First Place - Amy Unterborn, University of Georgia

Second Place - Jeremy D. Bridgman, Otterbein College

Third Place - Melissa Miklus, University of South Carolina

Third Place - Andrea Leotta, Lehigh University

Winners - 2001

Second Place - Reena De Asis, California State University--Fullerton
Faculty Advisor - Andi Stein
Professional Advisor - Holly Barnett, APR

First Place - Kristi Stockdale - Ursuline College
Faculty Advisor - Rosemary Rood-Tutt
Professional Advisor - Gayle Godek, APR

Third Place - Sarah Fitts, Georgia State University
Faculty Advisor - Jennifer Jiles, APR
Professional Advisor - Sherry Treco-Jones, APR, Fellow PRSA

Third Place - Isaac Wright, University of Tennessee
Faculty Advisor - Dr. Candace White
Professional Advisor -Ellen Liston, APR

* TIE for third place

About Betsy Plank

Betsy Plank was the PRSA President in 1973, and the first woman to lead the Society, as well as the chair of the U.S. Section of International Public Relations Association (1980-81). She was the first person to receive three of PRSA's top honors for professionals--the Gold Anvil in 1977 as the outstanding U.S. Professional, the Paul Lund Award in 1989 for her exemplary civic and community work, and the first Jackson Award in 2001 for distinguished service to the Society.

She has pioneered public relations education for students, and is very dedicated to PRSSA. As one of the four co-chairs for the Champions for PRSSA, Ms. Plank has devoted much of her time to students and their needs. She co-chaired the 1987 Commission to develop guidelines for the undergraduate public relations curriculum in U.S. colleges and universities, and has been a past National Advisor for PRSSA, alloting her a namesake chapter at Northern Illinois University, as well as having named their annual scholarship in her honor. An active member of the Arthur Page W. Page Society, and a PRSSA Hall of Fame achiever, Ms. Plank has accrued several Awards and nationally recognized achievements over the years. Even so, she still finds time to attend PRSSA's annual National Assembly and both PRSA's and PRSSA's National Conferences each year in support of its programs to further the field.

If you have any questions about applying for this award, please contact the PRSSA Vice President of Member Services.

Back to Member Scholarships & Awards

Top