Kevin Strong-Holte
News Reporter

Connections, connections, connections. This is the mantra of public relations. Our generation is no stranger to the allure and intriguing power of connecting, witness the recent explosion of MySpace, Facebook, and Twitter. Public relations is the occupational incarnation of this socialization. PR connects consumers to producers, the audience to the show, the crowd to the spectacle.
Mesa State’s new Public Relations Club was founded in October, when mass communication professor Daniel Flenniken asked PR students about creating a PR club on campus. If there turned out to be enough student interest and involvement, the club may progress to become a chapter of the PRSSA.
The Public Relations Student Society of America is a national organization that seeks to advance the public relations profession “by nurturing generations of future professionals.”
The club is already planning campaigns in a number of future campus and community events such as workshops, job fairs, portfolio buildings, and fundraisers. Public relations activities offer opportunities for students to learn communication skills pertinent to any major, such as field research, dynamic analysis, presentation techniques, and public speaking. Recent PR Club activities included the Community Hospital’s Gala, the grand opening of the College Center and hosting some local PR professionals on campus.
On Nov. 18, the Public Relations Club welcomed Elaine Matthews, account manager of Ryan, Sawyer, & Whitney, an “integrated marketing, public relations and advertising agency,” and Kelly Marlin, a business development manager from the Grand Junction Economic Partnership. They spoke with club members about the ups and downs of the job, sharing personal anecdotes, career experiences, and occupational wisdom that they have gained throughout their years of involvement in the field.
“You’ve got to get over your fears and get out there. Go for it,” said Matthews, “get some experience volunteering. The Chamber of Commerce of Grand Junction and Palisade are some great places to start. You can visit their web sites for a list of events and learning opportunities. They are always looking for applied and ambitious helpers.”
The main goal of the PR Club is to prepare students for a career in communications.
“You can learn a lot about PR and campaigning in school, but you’ve got to go out and network. Experience is very, very important,” Matthews said.
For more information, contact Professors Daniel Flenniken or Eric Sandstrom on the third floor of the Fine Arts Building or e-mail club president, Caitlin Wezensky at cwezensk@mesastate.edu. You can also “like” Mesa State PR Club on Facebook, where you will receive notifications of meeting dates, event projections, and other information.
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kstrongh@mesastate.edu