PRCA Honors UA Chapter with more than 20 Awards

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The Public Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) recognized University of Alabama PRCA students with over 20 awards for superior work.

The Capstone Agency, UAʼs student-run PR agency, finished with 16 awards in the annual PRCA Student Medallions Competition, including 10 Medallion awards, the competitionʼs highest honors.

“Itʼs a testament to the caliber of our program and the level of work our students do,” said Capstone Agency Advisor Teri Henley.

A panel of PR professionals in Florida judged submissions based on the four-step communication process: research, planning, implementation and evaluation. Scores ranging from 90-100 received Medallion awards, 80-89 received awards of excellence, and 70-79 received certificates of merit.

“If you get a Medallion award, that means you nailed it,” Henley said. “The fact our students won so many really pleases me.”

UA PRCA students competed against students in PRCA chapters from other universities in Alabama. UA students won more awards than any other student chapter in the competition.

“Our students are dedicated, passionate and they care about what they are doing,” Henley said. “They are going to be running the business one day.”

UA PRCA Advisor Dr. Suzanne Horsley said the competition allows students to make connections between the classroom and real-world application.

“All of our students work so hard to complete their projects,” Horsley said. “Getting affirmation from PR professionals is even better than just getting a good grade in class.”

Many students said months of planning went into their projects, including UA PRCA member Latasha Lewis.

“Each project took about a semester and a half to complete,” Lewis said. “However, I wouldnʼt say it was work, because I enjoy what I do.”

See below for a complete list of UA winners.

Capstone Agency: Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Spring Break 2012 Statewide Campaign Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Spring Break 2012 Promo Items Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Total Research Program Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Spring Break 2012 Grant Report Medallion Award: LessThanUThink One Campaign. Six Campuses Video Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Freshman Newsletter 2012Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Campaign Overview Brochure Medallion Award: LessThanUThink Campaign Training Manual Medallion Award: LessThanuThink Shaq Media Kit Medallion Award: LessThanuThink Shaq PSA

Award of Excellence: LessThanUThink Orange County (California) Implementation Award of Excellence: Less ThanUThink Fall 2012 Launch Award of Excellence: LessThanUThink Rising Tide Tailgate Award of Excellence: LessThanUThink Photo Scavenger Hunt

Award of Excellence: LessThanThink Shaq Teaser Video Award of Excellence: Itʼs Your Move! Childhood Anti-obesity Campaign 2012

Molly Molloy Gambel: Award of Excellence: The University of Alabama Secret Meals For Hungry Children Piggly Wiggly Fundraising Campaign

Alexandra Mashburn: Award of Excellence: Tuscaloosa County Volunteer Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) Logo

Abby Grace Brown and Molly Molloy Gambel:
Certificate of Merit: Social Media Plan for Mosaik Software, Inc.

Latasha Lewis:
Certificate of Merit: The University of Alabama Women’s Basketball Certificate of Merit: Social Media: The Week of Welcome