Elon PRSSA chapter receives Star Award at national conference

Elon University’s PRSSA Chapter received the Star Chapter Award on Oct. 26 during the PRSSA National Conference at the Loews Hotel in downtown Philadelphia.

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:

• Initiate and complete at least one community service project
• Strengthen the chapter’s relationship with its PRSA sponsor chapter
• Give attention to ethics in a least one chapter meeting.
• 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
• Implement at least one national initiative.
• Confirm attendance by at least one  hapter member at the national conference, National Assembly, a regional conference or a leadership rally
• Gain positive attention for its chapter in at least one campus or community publication or other media.
• Extend an invitation to students/faculty from other disciplines to attend at least one chapter meeting.
• Confirm that at least 10 percent of its graduating seniors applied for PRSA Associate Membership

This is the first time that Elon University’s chapter received the Star Award. Elon was represented in Philadelphia by students Meaghan Murphy, Kara Damiano, Jenna Sonlin and Heather Harder (who is also  vice president of member services in PRSSA’s National Committee). The students are accompanied by its faculty adviser, Assistant Professor Vanessa Bravo in the School of Communications.

Bravo said the recognition is a deserved honor for a chapter that is well organized and active.

“With about 100 members and a strong attendance to our chapter’s events and workshops, Elon is really being a healthy, pacesetter chapter at PRSSA,” she said.