University of Alabama Honoring Exceptional Students in Public Relations

Jason Grill’s latest article

Students in Alabama are cultivating the next generation of leaders in Public Relations.

According to an article in The Crimson White, The University of Alabama’s Department of Public Relations hosts an annual program called the Plank Center, to honor and recognize exceptional students in the field of Public Relations.

The program was created in 2005 and named after a UA graduate widely known and recognized as the “first lady” of public relations, Betsy Plank.

The programs mission, according to the article, is to recognize and build leaders in public relations, as well as to add a bit of practical experience to the otherwise strictly educational model. By placing educators, students, and career professionals together, the program works to benefit all three groups.

Karla Gower, the program’s director, told writers at The Crimson, “Mentorship is really important to building leadership skills and developing future leaders, which is what the Plank Center is all about.”

The article went on to say the program’s Milestones and Mentoring Gala took place in Chicago on Nov. 14, and including more than 300 public relations professionals, educators and students, each of whom came to honor five mentors in five different categories.

Before the Gala, the author writes, the Plank Center Summit was held for its second year, and students and educators alike presented research and results from studies they had conducted throughout the year.

Gillian Richard an undergraduate majoring in public relations, attended the event and spoke of her amazing experience. She told reporters that she heard three research presentations, and, once the event ended, had the chance to attend a dinner to honor mentors and leaders in the field.

“The dinner was a wonderful opportunity to meet people in the industry and to build relationships,” Richard told the author. “I got to meet so many leaders in the public relations field, and they were all so nice. They all want to see the next generation of PR leaders succeed and are willing to help. I was lucky enough to meet several people who I will look up to as mentors throughout my career. The whole experience was one I am grateful I got to be a part of.”

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