PRSSA University of Minnesota

U of M PRSSA Meetings

Wednesdays
5:15-6:15p.m.

100 Murphy Hall
SJMC Conference Center

Interested in becoming a member of PRSSA?

Check out the committees listed below and join us at our weekly meetings!

fusion - Student-run Firm

fusion is a student-run public relations firm organized through PRSSA. Joining this committee allows members to gain real world client experience in a variety of public relations areas. The goal of fusion is to engage its members in rigorous training with a specific real world client while simultaneously building a professional portfolio.

Sponsorship and Philanthropic Committee

The Sponsorship and Philanthropic Committee is dedicated to the pursuit of active involvement within the surrounding community. Joining this committee gives members the opportunity to plan, implement and oversee fundraisers and other philanthropic activities for PRSSA and various local organizations. The Sponsorship and Philanthropic Committee offers a hands-on experience with plenty of projects to pursue, while striving to meet each member's needs as an aspiring public relations professional.

Activities Committee

The main goals of the Activities Committe are to help conceptualize and carry out PRSSA's professional development activities, contact possible speakers, tour locations and handle logistics for events. Specifically, the Activities Committee is responsible for planning events such as New Member Parties, the Etiquette Dinner, bowling with other Chapters, field trips, the Chicago trip, the PRSSA Internship/Job Event, Regional Activity Trip and the End-of-the-Year Banquet.

Newsletter Committee - The Link

The Newsletter Committee is a great way to gain writing experience. The Link is PRSSA's internal newsletter compiled by our PRSSA Chapter, for our PRSSA Chapter. By joining the Newsletter Committee, members can write a few articles, make professional connections and learn about PRSSA. If you are interested in public relations cases and want to share your thoughts, the Newsletter Committee is a great way to publish writing.

Internal Communications Committee

The Internal Communications Committee allows members to help recruit new members, send surveys to members, design and post announcements in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication, and take pictures at PRSSA events. Joining this committee gives members the opportunity to see a variety of aspects that go into promotions.

External Communications Committee

The External Communications Committee allows members to help draft news releases, update the web site and maintaing Chapter outreach. Joining this committee gives members the opportunity to network with students and professionals alike, while getting valuable public relations skills.

University of Minnesota PRSSA - Willard Thompson Chapter

The Willard Thompson Chapter aims to serve members by expanding knowledge of public relations, providing access to professional development opportunities and offering leadership roles and responsibilities to members.

Through mutually beneficial relationships, students help each other by offering public relations knowledge and advice. Our members work together to better each other's undergraduate education and experience.

History of Dr. Willard L. Thompson

Dr. Willard L. Thompson, known by his peers as “Tommy,” served as assistant to the president, dean of general extension division, a chair for the school of journalism and mass communication’s advertising courses branch, and headed the university’s summer session during his 23 year term at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities.   

Dr. Thompson attended the University of Illinois to study Journalism and Mass Communications, where he earned a Bachelor of Science (1937), Master of Science (1949) and Ph.D. (1956) in the subject.

Thompson’s career includes working as a reporter for the Peoria Journal-Transcript, working as an advertising representative, wire editor and reporter for the Pekin Daily Times, serving for 4 years in the United States Army, president of Effingham Broadcasting Company, and general manager of WCRA radio station in Effingham.

During Dr. Thompson’s time at the University of Minnesota, he participated as a member of Minnesota’s chapter of PRSA and served as an advisor for the university’s PRSSA chapter. He also advised the university’s American Advertising Federation student chapter. In 1983, the Minnesota PRSA established the Dr. Willard Thompson PRSA Scholarship Fund, which continues to recognize promising students of public relations and members of the U of M’s PRSSA chapter.

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