For the third consecutive year, The Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations will honor the late public relations legend, Betsy Plank, by hosting a national social media campaign on April 7.
Betsy Plank Day shines a brighter light on the legacy of Betsy Plank, often referred to as the First Lady of public relations and the “Godmother of PRSSA.”
It’s no secret that the late Betsy Plank was, and is, a public relations legend. As a longtime professional and advocate for PR education, her impact on the industry still resonates today.
Gary McCormick, director of marketing and public relations for Scripps Networks Interactive and Plank Center board member, said that Betsy Plank Day celebrates not only a great lady but a great profession. He added, “I guarantee that knowing Betsy today will still open doors that you never knew were closed, because Betsy made sure we all had a great path forward.”
Students, educators and professionals are encouraged to join in on the Twitter conversation by using #BetsyDay. Find out how you can incorporate Betsy Plank into your classroom or boardroom. For more information regarding Betsy Plank or the Plank Center, please visit http://www.plankcenter.ua.edu.
About the Plank Center for Leadership in Public Relations
In 2005, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees established The Plank Center, named for public relations leader and UA alumna, the late Betsy Plank, to develop and recognize outstanding diverse public relations leaders, role models and mentors to advance ethical public relations in an evolving, global society through a variety of programs, and in concert with groups and associations.
In addition to national leaders in the practice and education, the Center Board includes an ex officio position for the president of the Public Relations Student Society of America that represents more than 11,000 members in 300-plus colleges and universities.
The Center is housed in UA’s department of advertising and public relations, a division of the College of Communication and Information Sciences. UA’s public relations program, with nearly 1,400 students, is the largest undergraduate degree program within the College. The program is certified by the Public Relations Society of America and for six years has been ranked among the top five public relations programs in the country by PRWeek magazine.