PRAM STUDENT OF THE YEAR AWARD, Presented by CSpire

John Forde, APR, Fellow PRSA, congratulates Reagan Young, PRAM’s 2023 Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student, and Zoie Henson, PRAM’s 2023 Student of the Year presented by CSpire, with and nominated by  Kelli Anthony.

PRAM’s Student of the Year Award, presented by CSpire, is bestowed annually to one student who exemplifies the professionalism, goals, and ideals of the public relations profession. The winner is announced at the annual PRAM Conference, where they are presented with their award and a $1,000 scholarship courtesy of CSpire. A second student receives the Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student award and a $250 scholarship courtesy of PRAM’s River City Chapter.

Eligible students meet the following requirements: (a) must be an undergraduate at a Mississippi university or college that offers at least one course with the words ‘public relations’ in the course title, (b) must be a full-time student, (c) must have completed at least one course with the words ‘public relations’ in the title by the end of December of the year they are nominated, and (d) must be a public relations, communication, journalism or marketing communications major. Each applicant’s score is based on academic excellence and academic honors along with public relations activities and experience; campus involvement plus community activities; and the articulation of future goals and a letter of recommendation from the student’s nominating professor/instructor.

Each Student of the Year Award nominee, and the nominating professor/instructor, receive recognition at the PRAM state conference, among other opportunities.

2023 Student of the Year applications are now being accepted

Nominations are now being accepted for PRAM Student of the Year. Application packets must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, March 10. They may be submitted by email only to Samantha McCain, APR, VP of Student Services at mccainsam@gmail.com.

Each student nominee receives a chance at winning a $1,000 scholarship and the Student of the Year Award, recognition at the PRAM state conference, a press release sent to the newspaper of the student’s choice, a reference from the PRAM President and more!

Additionally, nominating professors are eligible for free membership to their local PRAM chapter if their nominee wins, recognition at the PRAM state conference and a recognition letter from the PRAM President to the university/college president on behalf of the professor.

To be eligible for the Student of the Year Award, the student must meet the following
requirements:

● Must be an undergraduate at a Mississippi university or college that offers at least one course with the words ‘public relations’ in the course title
● Must be a full-time student
● Must have completed at least one course with the words “public relations” in the title by the end of December of the year they are nominated.

To learn more or to nominate a student today, download the 2023 Student of the Year Application Packet.

PREVIOUS WINNERS

2022
Student of the Year – Flora Dedeaux, Mississippi State University
Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student – Laken Laird, Mississippi State University

2021
Student of the Year – Karie Pinnix, Mississippi State University
Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student – Abbie Kate Hancock, Mississippi State University

2020
Student of the Year – Marisa Laudadio, Mississippi State University
Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student – Karsyn King, University of Mississippi

2019
Student of the Year – Kali Hicks, Mississippi State University
Greg Raimondo Outstanding PR Student – Davis Roberts, University of Mississippi

2018
Student of the Year – Taylor White, Mississippi State University
Outstanding PR Student – Lauren Case, Mississippi State University

2017
Student of the Year – Rachel Anderson, The University of Mississippi

2016
Student of the Year – Kathryn Duke, The University of Southern Mississippi
Outstanding PR Student – Tori Lynn Olker, The University of Mississippi

2015
Student of the Year – Christine B. Bowman, Mississippi State University
Outstanding PR Student – Chelsea E. Dillard, Mississippi State University

2014
Student of the Year – Ashley Dillard – Mississippi College
Outstanding PR Student – Karelia Schmitz – University of Southern Mississippi

2013
No awards conferred.

2012
Student of the Year – Kristie Warino – University of Mississippi
Outstanding PR Student – Foster Page – Mississippi State University

2011
Student of the Year – Elizabeth Fine – Mississippi State University
Outstanding PR Student – Erin Parsons – University of Mississippi

2010
Student of the Year – Kayla Bradley – Mississippi State University
Outstanding PR Student – Jennifer Puhr – Mississippi State University

Prior to 2010, PRAM awarded a scholarship to a deserving student nominated by a professor.