Supporting the Future of the Profession
Founded in 1981 by Betsy Plank, APR, Fellow PRSA, Champions for PRSSA, formerly called Friends of PRSSA, brings together those who have special, ongoing interest in PRSSA, its student members and public relations education.
Who We Are
Who We Are
Who
Are the Champions?
Members of Champions for PRSSA, all honored in the Champions Directory, include practitioners, educators, companies, agencies, PRSA Chapters and other organizations. Individuals who are not PRSA members are also welcome. The organization is co-chaired by Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA and Gina Laughlin.
Designed to reinforce strong and productive relationships between professionals and students, the Champions are PR and communication leaders that wish to give back to the profession through support of PRSSA. Their annual contributions are used to fund activities and promotions, which would not be available with the limited budgets of Chapters and members
The Champions sponsor several award programs that honor exceptional Chapters, Advisers and students such as the Teahan Awards. They also act as mentors to PRSSA members and encourage them to transition to PRSA after graduation.
The Work of the Champions
The Work of the Champions
The Champions sponsor several award programs that honor exceptional Chapters, Advisers and students.
- Teahan Awards – This program provides approximately $4,500 in awards to PRSSA Chapters for a variety of programs (newsletters, service initiatives, etc.), and to excellent Chapter Advisers and PRSA sponsor Chapters.
- Altschul Outstanding Internship Award – A student who has completed an outstanding internship receives $300 and the internship provider receives national recognition.
- Betsy Plank/PRSSA Scholarships – These scholarships honor three outstanding public relations juniors and seniors for their academic achievements, demonstrated leadership, practical experience, and their commitment to public relations.
- Encourage Membership – Champions strongly encourage graduating PRSSA members to become PRSA Associate Members and co-sponsor, with PRSA, the first two years of professional membership for past members of the PRSSA International Committee.
- Mentors and Speakers – Champions often serve as speakers for various National- and Chapter-level student events. PRSSA Chapters are also invited to contact Champions for mentoring and counsel.
Find a Champion
Champions help PRSSA members prepare for entering the workforce, connect them with professionals in their area and help them understand more about the public relations profession.
Feel free to explore our directory and start your professional network today.
Become a Champion
Benefits of Being a Champion
The greatest benefit of being a Champion is knowing you have helped support students, Chapters and advisers that are striving for excellence; however, Champions also receive the following benefits:
- Champions Newsletters – Sent from the co-chairs, the newsletters provide you news about Champion and PRSSA accomplishments.
- Champions for PRSSA Breakfast – At PRSA ICON, Champions are invited to meet with PRSSA members.
- To sponsor a table click here.
In addition, Champions benefit from the outstanding students who will soon become their PRSA colleagues. Demonstrating the student Society’s leadership promise are PRSSA alumni who now serve on the PRSA Board of Directors, committees and as PRSA Chapter officers.
Become a Champion
The annual tax-deductible contribution from each Champion is $55, and every dollar is used to support PRSSA. Renewing your Champion membership or becoming a Champion is simple, just follow the steps below.
- Current Champions:
- Log into your MyPRSA account.
- Click on the ‘My Dues’ tab.
- Click on the ‘Pay Champions Dues’ button and submit payment.
- New Champions:
- Visit https://rise-champions.prsa.org/.
- Log in or create a MyPRSA account.
- Follow the prompts and submit payment.
Co-chaired by Gary McCormick, APR, Fellow PRSA and Gina Laughlin, the Champions supplement the work of PRSA and PRSSA Advisers. They have the enthusiastic support of PRSA and PRSSA leaders, who encourage strong and productive relationships between professionals and the next generation that will shape the future of public relations.
History
1981
PRSA President Jon Riffel and 1973 PRSA President Betsy Plank, along with PRSSA VP of Education, Dr. F.H. “Chris” Teahan create “Friends of PRSSA” in 1981 – Primary purpose to identify, for current PRSSA leaders, those professional
who were enthusiastic about PRSSA but were mostly unknown to contemporary students. Friends are asked to contribute $33 to match the PRSSA annual dues.
Program administered by Betsy Plank’s department at Illinois Bell – publishing a newsletter (3x times annually) Art Merrick, a past PRSSA Chapter President, and Kathleen Ziprik, 1980-1981 PRSSA President, are named as co-chairs to serve alongside Betsy Plank and Jon Riffel.
1986
Judith Bogart, 1983 PRSA President replaces Jon Riffel as co-chair of Champions for PRSSA.
1988
Chris Teahan produces the first two decades History of PRSSA.
1989
PRSA Foundation ceased funding annual PRSSA scholarships — Friends of PRSSA picks up as an annual project.
1990
“Friends” become “Champions” — Betsy retires from Illinois Bell and PRSA takes over administrative support of the Champions for PRSSA and PRSA Foundation agrees to become custodian of annual fees and contributions, making them tax deductible for donors.
2001
PRSSA National Committee develops Cross Country Connections program to better network students with Champions.
2003
Gary McCormick, 2002 PRSSA Professional Adviser of the Year, replaces Art Merrick, as co-chair of Champions.
2006
PRSA Foundation establishes its first scholarship endowment program, Betsy Plank Endowment, to ensure that the legacy of the Champions continues to honor the Godmother of PRSSA. Champions commit to continue to fund additional needs for scholarship awards
not met by earnings from the endowment. Kent Landers, 1998-1999 PRSSA President, replaces Kathleen Ziprik as co-chair.
2007
For 20th Anniversary of PRSSA - Champions produces “Legacies from Legends in Public Relations” and an updated “A Brief History of PRSSA,” with the second two decades. The first Legends panel takes place at the PRSSA National Conference
in Philadelphia featuring Judith Bogart Meredith, Ron Culp, Ofield Dukes, and Gary McCormick.
