Area Public Relations Practitioners recognized at annual Awards Banquet | Events

The following is a press release from Hattiesburg Tourism/Convention Commissions:

Hard work certainly does pay off.  And this hard work was the focus of celebration and recognition for area public relations practitioners at the 2013 Pine Belt PRAM Annual Banquet, held on Jan. 15 at the Lake Terrace Convention Center.

The Pine Belt Chapter of the Public Relations Association of Mississippi held their Annual Banquet yesterday, taking the time to recognize the accomplishments of many of their chapter members with the Chapter’s annual awards, as well as with the newly created Spark Awards program.

The Pine Belt PRAM Spark Awards recognizes outstanding work in the field of public relations for Pine Belt PRAM chapter members. The Spark Awards symbolize the exact moment when both strategy and creativity collide to address an issue or problem. The highest achievable award is a Spark Award, followed by an Award of Excellence. Awards were presented in three categories, Design, Writing and Design, and Innovation.

 Awards of Excellence were presented to:

• Dara Stockman and Jeremiah Seal of Southern Pine Electric Power Association for Design
• Catherine Lott of the DuBard School for Language Disorders for Writing & Design
• Lydia Walters, Pollyanna Magee and Mark Bridges of Dixie Electric Power Association for Writing and Design
• Samantha Andrus of Hattiesburg Clinic for Innovation

Spark Awards were presented to:

• Lydia Walters of Dixie Electric Power Association for Design
• Leif Munkel of Southern Pine Electric Power Association for Writing and Design

 In addition, Pine Belt PRAM recognized two outstanding chapter members with the Burlian O’Neal Walker Professional Promise Award, given to an individual who is new to the field and shows dedication and growth, and the Bud Kirkpatrick Practitioner of the Year Award, given to an individual who has a proven record of exceptional work in public relations.

 The 2012 Burlian O’Neal Walker Professional Promise of the Year Award was presented to Colleen Munkel, Physician Recruiter at Hattiesburg Clinic.  The 2012 Bud Kirkpatrick Practitioner of the Year Award was presented to Jim Coll, Chief Communication Officer at The University of Southern Mississippi.

The Annual Awards Banquet also included the installation of the 2013 PRAM Board of Directors. The following professionals will serve on the Board of Directors during the next year: Dara Stockman of Southern Pine Electric Power Association, President; Tara Burcham of The University of Southern Mississippi, Vice President of Programs; Samantha McCain of Hattiesburg Clinic, Vice President of Membership and Awards Chair; Sabrina McArthur of Hattiesburg Clinic, Secretary; Emily Covington of Wesley Medical Center, Treasurer; Alison Crumpton of The University of Southern Mississippi, Director of Communications; Amber Ross-Hartfield of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Director of Social Media/Website; Catherine Lott of DuBard School for Language Disorders, Workshop Coordinator; Kelly Atwood of Jones County Junior College, Services Coordinator; Mary Margaret Turner of William Carey University, Scholarship Chair; and Nicole Ruhnke of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, Immediate Past President and Nominating Committee Chair.

The Pine Belt Chapter of PRAM consists of members in the field of public relations or who have a degree in public relations. Membership includes professionals in healthcare, education, government, nonprofits, tourism/economic development, retail, arts/entertainment and industry.

The Pine Belt Chapter is committed to building program activities that contribute to the expanded scope of professional achievement of its members and to making valuable contributions to the art and science of public relations policies and practices throughout the area.

PRAM membership also includes affiliation and membership in the Southern Public Relations Federation, which brings together public relations practitioners from Alabama, Louisiana, Florida and Mississippi.

Monthly meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. For more information on the Pine Belt PRAM Chapter, visit www.PinebeltPRAM.com.