Oct 28, 2014 3 min read

WAYNESBURG – Waynesburg University’s Public Relations Student Society of America chapter was awarded the Star Chapter Award for meeting specific chapter and professional development goals for the second consecutive year.

“It is especially gratifying to achieve this accomplishment in consecutive years given we have just begun our fifth year as a chapter,” said Richard Krause, chairman of the Department of Communication and faculty adviser to Waynesburg’s PRSSA chapter. “We are well ahead of the long-term goals and objectives that we established for the public relations major and the PRSSA chapter when we first started the process.”

The Public Relations Student Society of America National Committee evaluates the performance of PRSSA chapters and awards the recognition to chapters that meet at least eight of the following 10 requirements:

• Conduct a high school outreach session and/or promote affiliate membership to a nearby community college;

• Confirm attendance by at least one chapter member at national conference, national assembly, a regional conference or leadership rally;

• Confirm that at least 10 percent of graduating seniors applied for PRSA Associate Membership;

• Confirm that at least one chapter member applies for an individual National PRSSA scholarship or award;

• Confirm that the chapter applied for at least one national PRSSA award;

• Extend an invitation to students/faculty from other disciplines to attend at least one chapter meeting;

• Gain positive attention for the chapter in at least one campus or community publication or other media;

• Give attention to ethics in at least one chapter meeting

• Initiate and complete at least one community service project;

• And strengthen the chapter’s relationship with its Public Relations Society of America sponsor chapter.

In its fifth year, Waynesburg’s Chapter of PRSSA is one of 328 schools nationally associated with PRSSA, the student counterpart of the Public Relations Society of America.

Waynesburg’s Chapter was one of 31 from around the country honored with Star Chapter status.

“This recognition means that our Chapter is one of the best in the nation,” said Megan Bayles, junior public relations major and president of Waynesburg’s PRSSA. “This award shows that we are doing things right, and we are offering our members all of the opportunities needed to succeed in the fast-paced world of public relations.”

Bayles added receiving the Star Chapter Award reflects the hard work and dedication of the chapter’s members and executive board.

“Gaining the honor of Star Chapter is not an easy feat to accomplish,” said Bayles. “It takes motivated members with innovative ideas and strong work ethics, as well as strong and active leadership from advisers and our executive board. I feel so blessed to be part of a chapter with such great potential and such amazing members.”

The chapter’s next goals are to apply for the Dr. F.H. Teahan Chapter Awards sponsored by PRSSA as well as to obtain National Affiliation for the chapter’s student-run firm, Red Brick Communications.