Susan Walton
The University of North Dakota Vice President will formally be inducted into the College Nov. 7
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced that University of North Dakota Vice President for University and Public Affairs Susan Balcom Walton is one of 15 members recently approved by the Board of Directors for acceptance into the organization’s College of Fellows.
Said Walton, “It’s an honor to be selected with these 14 peers, all of whom are consummate PR professionals and role models. I look forward to continuing to learn from these PRSA colleagues, and others, so that I can better serve in my professional role.”
“UND is very proud to recognize Vice President Susan Walton’s career achievement in her appointment to the Public Relations Society of America’s College of Fellows,” said UND President Robert Kelley. “This award highlights the excellence and professionalism of Susan’s contributions to public relations at the national level – a level of excellence and professionalism that has also marked her many efforts here at UND.”
Founded in 1989, the College of Fellows is a community of fewer than 350 senior PRSA members. PRSA Fellows are individuals who have advanced the public relations profession and distinguished themselves through their leadership in the public relations industry. To qualify for admittance into the College of Fellows, the public relations practitioner or educator must have at least 20 years of experience, hold the Accredited in Public Relations (APR) credential, and have demonstrated exceptional capability and accomplishment in the practice or teaching of public relations. College of Fellows members also must exhibit personal and professional qualities that make them role models for other practitioners or educators.
The purpose of the College of Fellows is to recognize notable public relations leaders and to further the professionalism and reputation of public relations practice and education. College members provide mentoring for public relations professionals and students, support PRSA in the execution of its strategic plan specifically in the areas of advocacy and education, and create and sponsor a continuing education “Master Class” for advanced professionals each year during the PRSA International Conference.
A selection committee, consisting of current College of Fellows members, solicited and reviewed applications and recommended this year’s group of candidates to the PRSA 2015 National Board of Directors.
“The PRSA is the world’s largest and foremost organization for public relations professionals, providing professional development, setting standards of excellence and ethics for its members and, more broadly, the multi-billion dollar global public relations profession,” said Tim Pasch, UND Communication Program chair. “Of these members, the PRSA College of Fellows inducts only the most truly highly respected practitioners and educators who have made highly significant contributions to the profession, with one initial criterion being no less than 20 years of experience practicing or teaching public relations.
“The announcement that Susan Walton has been accepted into the Public Relations Society of America’s exceedingly selective and prestigious College of Fellows is a hugely significant honor for the Division of University & Public Affairs, the Communication Program, and the University of North Dakota,” Pasch continued. “The combined 300 members of the College of Fellows of the PRSA comprise just over 1 percent of the total Society membership of well over 22,000 worldwide. The collaborative opportunities for PRSA fellows are simply extraordinary, providing our students, faculty and staff enhanced networking possibilities, combined with even greater insight into the world of PR and beyond.”
“This great honor is a testament to Vice President Susan Walton’s dedication as a consummate professional communicator,” said Peter Johnson, UND executive associate vice president for university relations. “I have seen firsthand ? as a colleague in the office and in the classroom ? Susan’s great integrity, her depth of understanding, and her firm grasp of communication principles. I feel very privileged and proud to work closely with Susan, from whom I’ve learned a great deal in the past three years.”
“Each year, we are honored to review the extensive and impressive careers of candidates for the PRSA College of Fellows, and are reminded of the hard work it takes to achieve excellence and longevity in the public relations profession,” said PRSA 2015 National Chair Kathy Barbour, APR. “I thank each and every new Fellow for their dedication to the profession and to the Society.”
The new Fellows will be formally inducted into the College at a dinner to be held Nov. 7, immediately prior to the PRSA 2015 International Conference in Atlanta, Ga.
“It’s been wonderful being a part of this profession,” said Walton. “I can’t imagine another profession I’d rather be in. I’ve had so many opportunities for service and associations with educators and practitioners. I’m grateful for the many opportunities that PRSA has given me.”
The 2015 inductees to the PRSA College of Fellows are:
Lauren F. Brookey, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president, external affairs, Tulsa Community College
Rosanna M. Fiske, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president, corporate communications, Wells Fargo & Co.
Checky Herrington, APR, Fellow PRSA, market research manager, Mississippi State University
Barbara Kerr, APR, Fellow PRSA, chief communications officer, Sisters of St. Mary of Oregon Ministries Corporation
Lori L. Marble, APR, Fellow PRSA, transformations agent, Mercy Health System
Michael L. McDougall, APR, Fellow PRSA, president, McDougall Communications
W. Patrick McSweeney, APR, Fellow PRSA vice president, Laughlin Constable
Paula L. Pedene, APR, Fellow PRSA, senior communications specialist, Department of Veterans Affairs, Central Office
Michael A. Pflughoeft, APR, Fellow PRSA, owner, MAP Communications
David L. Remund, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, assistant professor, University of Oregon
Sara Spaulding, APR, Fellow PRSA, Market Development Manager – Century Link Colorado
Charles R. Suits, APR, Fellow PRSA, adjunct professor, Florida Atlantic University
Susan Balcom Walton, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president for university and public affairs, University of North Dakota
Judy DeRango Wicks, APR, Fellow PRSA, vice president, corporate communications, Fiserv, Inc. (retired)
Gregory J. Zimprich, APR, Fellow PRSA, director of global internal & business communications, Honeywell
About the Public Relations Society of America
PRSA is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities; sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct; and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals. Based in New York, PRSA comprises 110 local Chapters; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is active at more than 340 colleges and universities.
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Contacts:
Rosanne Mottola
Manager, Public Relations
Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)
212.460.1464
rosanne.mottola@prsa.org
Peter B. Johnson
Executive Associate Vice President
Media Relations Coordinator/Community Relations Officer
Public Relations Group
Division of University & Public Affairs
264 Centennial Drive Stop 7144
Grand Forks, ND 58202-7144
701.777.4317 | 701.740.5398 cell | 701.777.4616 fax
peter.johnson@UND.edu
UND.edu