By Meghan McNeice | RU School of Communication

The Muse Banquet Room was filled with faculty and outstanding students from Radford University’s School of Communication in celebration of Communication week 2012 where they held an award and recognition banquet at 5 p.m. Sunday April 1.

Members of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), Lambda Pi Eta (LPH), and RadAd Advertising Club were in attendance for distribution of awards and inductions. They were joined Radford University faculty, family and friends.

The ceremony began with dinner and opening remarks by Dr. Lynn M. Zoch, director of the School of Communication. The first award of the evening — which Zoch called the “we couldn’t have done it without you” award — was given to the president of PRSSA, Taylor Bikowski, for organizing the banquet.

Early in her freshman year, Bikowski told her public-relations professsor,  Dr. Lisa Baker Webster, “One day I’m going to be [PRSSA] president. I want to be your president.” Baker Webster noted that she’s held almost every office in the PRSSA organization. She recently went to the National Assembly near the end of spring break for a 13-hour-long conference to vote on the new national executive board.

The next set of awards were the “Outstanding Junior and Sophomore” in Media Studies and Communication, the school’s two majors. The students chosen for the sophomore category were Lauren Martin and Monica McAfee. Hunter Thompson and Robert Lambert were the juniors.

Communication Professor and Dean Kate Hawkins, of the College of Humanities and Behavioral Sciences, gave “Outstanding Senior” and Dean’s Scholar awards to two students. First was Bryce Floyd, a Media Studies major concentrating in advertising and a member of RadAd. Lauren Miller, a Communication major concentrating in public relations also was honored.

Dr. Baker Webster, the PRSSA advisor, expressed her gratitude for the club’s efforts. “This is the most energetic group I’ve ever worked with.” Behind her was a slideshow of photographs from the year’s events: from leadership retreats to charity events to on-campus socials.

Bikowski was also awarded “Right Hand Man and Most Dedicated” as well as The Platinum Award winner. PRSSA Vice President, Rachel Proctor was awarded “Most Valuable” for her efforts to the organization.

Current members were recognized and next year’s executive board was introduced. Brittany Jeglum will be the new vice president, Elizabeth Damron will be the public relations director, Greg Rubinstein will be the new secretary, Hollyn Page is the new treasurer and Jolyn Paoletti is the new historian. Taking Bikowski’s position will be Jennifer Balka.

The program was then turned over to Lambda Pi Eta. Dr. Sandra French, the advisor for the organization, and LPH Chapter President Deanna Perry began their induction ceremony. The communication honor society gave all in attendance an understanding of the organiztion’s founding in traditional rhetorical concepts.

“I’m excited to be part of the organization and hope to get more involved before I graduate,” says junior Jodie Bell, who was inducted that evening. Senior Travis Handy was also inducted: “I was very excited to be inducted into LPH. It felt like a great validation of all the hard work I have put in over my time at RU. … The fact that a faculty member had recommended me for induction made it even more special, because that showed me that my effort had been recognized and acknowledged by one of my mentors.”

Excitement spread around the room for those being awarded and inducted, but for some seniors the event was bittersweet.

“I’ll miss the group that we’ve had and the friends that I have made through PRSSA,” said senior Courtney Earll, former PR director for PRSSA. “I wish them the best of luck and success.”

The honor society’s Perry said, “I hope the next president will continue to carry on and do more for the organization to really get it going.”

The final group to recognize students’ efforts was the RadAd Advertising Club. Professor James Collier, the club’s advisor, recognized President Natalie Dempsey and Vice President Sheena Palmer. Palmer will take over as president. She will continue graduate school here at RU.

Handy stayed almost to the end. “It makes me proud to be recognized within a group of my peers with an honor that will follow and hopefully serve me throughout my career.”