Category: Insights

Research-based commentary on current topics and events relevant to the profession and study of public relations.

Belmont Students Win Big at Parthenon Awards

By Dr. Bonnie Riechert

Five Belmont students were among honorees at the 2020 Parthenon Awards event sponsored by the Public Relations Society of America Nashville Chapter. The event was held virtually, as a Facebook live event Aug. 31 on https://www.facebook.com/prsanashville.

A team of four students from Public Relations Campaigns service-learning class in fall 2019 received a Parthenon Award, student category. Honored for their campaign, “Unlocked: Jewelry with a Purpose,” were Ladara Lucas (Class of 2019) and seniors Madeline DiMauro, Emily Stembridge and Aliah Tayyun.

Chandi Morar received an Award of Merit for her research project, “Marketing/Communications and Emerging Technologies,” completed in Public Relations Research class.

Area professionals in public relations and communications also were honored by award presentations. PRSA is the nation’s leading professional organization serving the communications community, with more than 30,000 professional and student members. The Nashville Chapter sponsors five student chapters of Public Relations Student Society of America, including Belmont PRSSA.

Why consider graduate school

On Feb. 19 Belmont’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapter hosted a panel discussion about the benefits of attending graduate school. Professional panelists included Anna Kate Tefft Ross of MP&F Strategic Communications, Erin Mercer of Jackson National Life Insurance and Hope Cooper Buckner of DVL Seigenthaler. For two years, Buckner has taught the Nonprofit Public Relations & Development class at Belmont.

The speakers discussed their personal experiences with attending grad school, explaining that it is an experience meant to enrich students’ education experiences in a new type of setting. According to the speakers, graduate school is an opportunity to experience education rather than just absorbing it. It is a course of study intended for people of all ages and all interests, so those who do enroll in graduate programs can apply real-world knowledge from their career paths to what they learn in their classes.

“I’ve had a wonderful experience in grad school,” Ross said. “As a working professional with 15 years of experience, my MBA coursework has given me new tools to do my job well.”

Considering the opportunities available to graduate students the speakers mentioned diverse perspectives in class, networking opportunities and the chance to write an extensive thesis. A graduate degree can be a worthwhile investment for some students. Ross touched on how she had “met some amazing students and professors throughout this experience.” She is so glad she “took the plunge.”

The speakers wanted the audience to remember, however, that whether graduate school ought to be considered varies from student to student. Students should consider all available options and assess whether graduate school is right for them.

Written by Evan Dorian
Edited by Olivia Toliver, Catie VanStratum, Jade Faber, Megan Montgomery