UA Plank Center Sponsors National Ethics Awards for PR Students and Faculty Advisers

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Three student chapters of the Public Relations Student Society of America, known as PRSSA, and their faculty advisers received the first Ethics Advocacy Program awards at the November 2006 Conference of PRSSA. The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations at The University of Alabama sponsored the program and awards.

The winning PRSSA chapters and advisers are:

• First Place – Illinois State University Chapter ($1,000) and adviser, Tomasz Feduick ($250).
• Second Place – Belmont University Chapter ($750) and adviser, Dr. Bonnie Riechert, APR ($150).
• Third Place – University of Nebraska/Omaha Chapter ($500) and adviser, Karen Weber ($100).

Objectives of the new program are to encourage PRSSA chapters and members to: 1) reinforce their understanding of the professional Code of Ethics for PR practice, 2) recognize that integrity and trustworthy performance are personal commitments and behaviors for here-and-now practice on campus and in studies and 3) become active advocates and exemplars for ethical behavior in their schools.

“PRSSA can be a singular force for ethical behavior on U.S. campuses, helping to combat cheating and plagiarism and support their school’s own honor codes,” said Dr. Bruce Berger, director of the Plank Center. “By bringing responsible habits and understanding to future work places, students can strengthen both corporate cultures and ethical performance in the profession.”

The new awards program responds to the ongoing interest of PRSSA chapters to continue programs that were initiated by the Bateman Case Study Competition on ethics advocacy in 2005. The program also supports the annual “Ethics Month” program focus of the Public Relations Society of America, which is the parent organization of PRSSA. The student society has more than 9,000 members in 274 schools that meet the charter requirements.

Formed in 2005, the primary mission of the Plank Center is to help develop and recognize outstanding leaders and role models in public relations. Led by a national advisory board, the center supports research, teaching, service and professional educational efforts that further the understanding and practice of public relations. The center is named for UA alumna and nationally acclaimed public relations pioneer, Betsy Plank.

The center is located in the College of Communication and Information Sciences at UA, one of the most prestigious communication colleges in the nation. C&IS consistently is ranked among the top 10 in number of doctoral degrees awarded and in many of its research programs. With 600 students, UA’s public relations program is the largest undergraduate degree program in the College.