Spring 2019 Final Spring 2019 FORUM FINAL! | Page 4

A Look Back in Time
Looking at the first issue of FORUM and checking back in with the Chapters featured in it today.
University of Florida
The University of Florida (UF) PRSSA Chapter was founded on April 4,
1968. It is one of the first PRSSA Chapters established across the
country and is the oldest public relations organization at UF.
The UF Chapter has grown exponentially in the past 50 years,
reaching 189 members in the 2018–2019 academic year. This
academic year, the Chapter membership has increased by over 10
percent, they presented the first-ever UF PRSSA dues scholarship to
four active members, they traveled to PRSSA National Conference
and a PRSSA Regional Conference and they increased their
involvement opportunities. In the past four years, UF also has had four
members on the PRSSA National Committee, including the current
National President and vice president of Chapter development.
Looking back, the Chapter has achieved some huge milestones. In
2011, UF hosted a PRSSA National Conference at the Renaissance
Orlando Hotel at SeaWorld from Friday, Oct. 14. to Tuesday, Oct. 18.
The theme of the Conference was “Perception Is Reality: Inspiring
Effective Communication.”
Kent State University
The idea to form a Kent State Chapter originated
from the Cleveland PRSA Chapter. The parent
organization wanted to establish a PRSSA Chapter
and felt that Kent State was a perfect place to start.
“The Cleveland PRSA Chapter gave a lot of
guidance and support to start the Chapter,” said
Bob Truscello, a founding member and first
president of PRSSA Kent. Truscello worked with
then Cleveland PRSA President Al Connors, other
Cleveland professionals and a small group of
students to gain Kent State’s charter.
Over the past 50 years, Kent State’s PRSSA
Chapter has helped shape the career of many
professionals. Many alumni from across the country
owe their career to the student organization. The
Chapter continues to challenge the minds of future
communicators and leaders. Though the public
relations industry has changed over the years, Kent
State’s PRSSA Chapter will continue to be a leader
for years to come.
University of Texas, Austin
Skills-centric workshops have become an integral part of the PRSSA
experience at UT Austin. Several years ago, Chapter leadership took
to preparing industry-specific sessions that focused on the
development of hard skills among its members. By covering topics
like constructing pitches, elevator conversations and even
encouraging the honing of software skills with programs like
Photoshop and Cision, the members receive tangible and immediate
benefits from continuing their learning after school hours. Shailaun
Manning, vice president of technology, said this of her experiences
growing in the Chapter: “Being a member of PRSSA means being a
part of an organization that makes it easy to network and grow
alongside creative communicators of the future.
This past year, the Dr. Alan Scott Chapter was proud to co-host the
PRSSA National Conference held in Austin, Texas. The project was
without a doubt a labor of love as new and old members joined
together to volunteer and attend this keystone event for the
organization. The execution of this event reaffirmed the passion that
many hold for this industry and all it has to offer. Suffice it to say,
even 50 years later, the members of the UT Austin Chapter continue
to send ripples as they work toward building stronger careers through
continuing education and fearless pursuit of ambition.