Fort Worth, TX June 4, 2012
When 11 Schieffer School students began work on a public relations campaign called VITALS last fall, little did they know that the campaign would be recognized and honored in an awards competition.
On May 31, at the elegant Marquis at Magnolia ballroom, Greater Fort Worth PRSA honored the best work in strategic communication in North Texas.
The VITALS Campaign was recognized in two categories: academic and professional. In the academic category, VITALS received the highest-level Worthy Award as an outstanding "service learning initiative as part of public relations teaching" for its effort to get students to apply public relations theory.
VITALS also received the Internal Relations Worthy Award in the professional category. This award recognized VITALS campaign efforts to educate TCU students to recognize alcohol poisoning symptoms and get help for its victims.
“I am proud of both wins, especially the professional win, because the students competed against entries submitted by professionals and came out on top," said Amiso George, associate professor of strategic communication and VITALS faculty adviser.
TCU faculty members also won Worthy awards. George was honored for her newly-published book, Case Studies in Crisis Communication: International Perspectives on Hits and Misses, and her leadership for the student-led VITALS at TCU; and Julie O'Neil, associate professor of strategic communication, was recognized for her review of white papers and books on public relations research, measurement and evaluation.
"This kind of recognition for TCU and the Schieffer School of Journalism is truly appreciated because it honors both our great students and our faculty, who are committed to scholarship and student excellence," said John Lumpkin, director of the Schieffer School.
TCU VITALS is a yearlong student campaign designed to educate TCU students about how to recognize the symptoms of alcohol poisoning and get help. VITALS stands for Vomiting, Incoherence, Temperature, Absence of color, Low breathing and Seizures. Buoyed by a $50,000 grant from The Century Council, VITALS is a collaborative effort of Schieffer faculty and students. Learn more at www.tcuvitals.com.