Release date: April 14, 2003

Contact: Frances Weyand, Director of Media Relations, 770-423-6203 or fweyand@kennesaw.edu

KSU student places in national public relations competition

Kennesaw State University communication student Leah Chase recently placed third in PR Week's 2003 PR Student of the Year competition. Chase received an all-expenses-paid trip to New York for the awards ceremony, a $1,000 cash prize and a paid internship with public relations firm Weber Shandwick, sponsor of this year's student competition.

The 150 student participants were charged with writing a media campaign for Ray-Ban sunglasses. Chase's campaign involved the use of models as food vendors promoting the glasses at an NCAA football game. The judges looked for the use of real-life public relations skills in the scenarios the students created. "I was simple, clear and to the point," Chase said. "Confidence helped."

PR Week is a trade publication providing news, analysis and job information for the public relations industry. Weber Shandwick is the world's largest public relations and communications management firm. Chase will begin her internship in Weber Shandwick's Atlanta office this summer. Following her graduation in December 2003, Chase hopes to continue in public relations with an emphasis in consumer relations and crisis management.

"This is really a phenomenal accomplishment," said Dr. Lisa Lyon, assistant professor of communication. "Leah received no class credit or extra credit. I consider it quite a boon for our program and our university."

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Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of 15,600 from 118 countries. The fifth largest out of 34 institutions in the University System of Georgia, KSU offers 55 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.