Scripps PRSSA recognized with national newsletter award

Ohio University’s Hugh M. Culbertson Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) was recently recognized for their outstanding newsletter with the Dr. F.H. Teahan Award. The chapter was recognized during the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)’s international virtual conference, ICON 2020.

“I just felt very grateful that we were able to win another award. We just published our most recent issue of the newsletter, so I’m glad that we are able to continue to do it even though we aren’t physically together right now,” Vivian Moussa, a senior journalism strategic communication major and 2020-21 chapter president, said.

The Chapter Newsletter award recognizes the outstanding newsletter of all PRSSA chapters, looking at the quality of writing, creativity, design and content. Scripps PRSSA’s newsletter, PR Success, is an online publication. Current and previous issues can be viewed on Scripps PRSSA’s website. 

This marks the third year in a row Scripps PRSSA has won the Dr. F.H. Teahan Award, which has several categories. The chapter previously won for Chapter Website in 2019 and Outstanding Chapter in 2018.

“It’s so exciting and almost overwhelming, just because I know that so much work goes into putting the newsletter together and it really is an achievement for the entire chapter because so many people do help work on it,” Olivia Christiansen, a junior strategic communication major and chapter vice president of visual communication and director of publications for the newsletter, said. “It really is a giant group effort – everyone had a role to play in this award.” 

Christensen noted thanks were in order for Jakob Warren, editor-in-chief of the newsletter, all of the student writers who contribute articles, and the executive board for getting “down to the nitty gritty” with editing for the newsletter. 

“I have taught at multiple universities and I haven’t been more impressed by a group of students. Their resilience and perseverance during this pandemic is unprecedented from my experience in teaching,” Dr. Victoria LaPoe, an associate professor in E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and faculty advisor of the chapter, said. “They win national awards annually and are a group that signals hope during this time. The field of strategic communication is essential in keeping people connected, informed and safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Scripps PRSSA is ensuring our up-and-coming leaders are well equipped in this growing field.”

This semester, the organization has continued to thrive by connecting virtually, hosting speakers from different areas of the country and planning to partner with the University of Kentucky’s PRSSA Chapter for an online event. 

“I think we’ve done a really great job remaining consistent with our meetings and hosting events in some capacity [for this semester],” Moussa said. “We’ve been trying to find ways to stay connected.”

Scripps PRSSA was also recently named a Star Chapter for the seventh straight year. PRSSA describes a Star Chapter as “the gold standard for Chapters trying to achieve excellence,” and encourages chapters and their members to engage in programming and relationship building. 

Scripps PRSSA member and OHIO senior Hardika Singh was also recognized during the PRSA ICON 2020 event, for winning  the 2020 PRSA Diversity Multicultural Scholarship. 

Click here to view the latest issue of PR Success. To learn more about Scripps PRSSA, visit scrippsprssa.org.