In 1976, Professor Tony Fulginiti took his passion for public relations and established a PRSSA chapter at Rowan University. He saw this as an opportunity for public relations students to learn and grow in a professional setting and for Rowan to make a name for itself in the PR world. Forty years later, the Rowan PRSSA chapter is one of the most successful chapters in the nation. The Anthony Fulginiti Award was established to honor a public relations professional who shares Tony’s commitment to the future of our profession. The award honors a person who excels in education, either through their mentoring/teaching, their efforts to help shape the careers of future PR professionals or their contributions to PRSSA.

The late Maxine Elkin was well known in Philadelphia as a public relations professional who also served as a great asset to the Philadelphia PRSA chapter. The Maxine Elkin Award honors someone with Maxine’s passion for public relations, particularly in the field of media relations, through leadership, professionalism and integrity in the field of public relations, and shares a commitment to the advancement of the profession

Frank Long passed away after a stellar 50-year career that ran the public relations gamut. Frank’s true passion was writing with creativity, style and flair. The Frank X. Long Award, created in 2000, honors a public relations professional who practices and professes Frank’s passion and honors excellence in writing and creativity.

DeAnn White’s short career was filled with accomplishments that take many a lifetime to achieve. When she tragically passed away in the summer of 2000 at the age of 25, she was public relations manager for the New Jersey State Aquarium. Though she was busy building her PR career, DeAnn still managed to find time to volunteer her PR talent to the Multiple Sclerosis Society and St. Mary’s Home for Children Living with AIDS. She also created a family outreach project called Sister II Sister.

The DeAnn White Award was established in 2000 to acknowledge the work of a Philadelphia PRSA member who utilizes thier public relations expertise in the field of community service and volunteerism.

The Anne Sceia Klein Award for Professional Promise recognizes a college junior or senior who is a member of a PRSSA chapter affiliated with Philadelphia PRSA, and has demonstrated his or her dedication to advancing himself or herself in the field of public relations. Interested students should provide: a one-page resume; a 350-word essay on how you plan to pursue your career in public relations and what contributions you hope to make to the profession; one academic or professional reference letter; and a copy of your transcript.