2013 Ruth Hammond Scholarship Winner Announced

TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2013 /CNW/ - Leanne Tremblay, Bedford, Nova Scotia is the 2013 winner of the $1,000 Ruth Hammond Scholarship, awarded annually to a public relations student in his/her final year of the Bachelor of Public Relations program at Mount Saint Vincent University (The Mount), Halifax. Bilingual in English and French, Tremblay, completed her high school grade 11 in the International Baccalaureate Program at The International School of Paris, France. She is also a recipient of a merit scholarship from Mount Saint Vincent.

The Ruth Hammond Scholarship was established by Ms. Hammond's friends and colleagues in the Canadian Public Relations Society (Toronto) to honour her lifetime commitment to public relations education in Canada.  The Scholarship, awarded by Mount Saint Vincent University, acknowledges a student who has completed at least two public relations co-op work terms and who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement, leadership abilities and dedication to establishing a career in the public relations field.

Tremblay's first public relations internship in 2012 was with Public Works and Government Services Canada, as junior communications officer, where she wrote and edited, the weekly internal newsletter for the Atlantic region, and developed a measureable strategic communications plan for Wellness Week.  She planned, organized and hosted events for Canada Day, as well as creating materials related to National Public Service Week events. She was also involved in updating intranet pages and an employee handbook.

Her second internship, recently completed in April 2013, was with the Nova Scotia Department of Energy where she served as a Public Relations/Business Assistant.  There she managed the Pengrowth Nova Scotia Energy Scholarship Program, organized marketing support for International trade shows, updated brochures, prepared web site text and completed an advertising review and plan.  She also assisted in the establishment of a database system to help the department manage relationships with businesses more effectively.

"Leanne easily assumed a leadership planning role with the Department of Energy through her work on the Pengrowth Energy Scholarship Program and added immense value to the program," said Karen Peknik, marketing specialist.  "She contributed to the Department's presence at a career and networking event, promoting two programs and managing all on-site issues."

Tremblay also served as an immigration assistant in the Canadian Embassy during her 2008 and 2009 summers in Paris, and served as the Chair of FUSION Halifax Diversity photo contest for two years. The contest brings attention to and opens dialogue about challenges and successes experienced by diverse people in the community.  She serves as a student representative on the Board of the Canadian Public Relations Society (Nova Scotia), Halifax.

Recognized for its academic excellence and creative learning approaches, The Mount offers bachelor's degrees in arts and science, education and professional studies in addition to a number of graduate degrees and a variety of certificates and diplomas.

The Ruth Hammond Scholarship funds are managed by the Communications + Public Relations Foundation. The Foundation promotes the advancement of communications and public relations as vital functions in society, is dedicated to the public interest, and is committed to increasing public knowledge and awareness of the role of communications and public relations in daily life. The Foundation accepts individual and corporate contributions towards research and educational initiatives nationwide.

For more information about the Foundation and its public relations educational initiatives, contact Barbara Sheffield, Executive Director, Communications + Public Relations Foundation, Suite 1515, 73 Widdicombe Hill Blvd., Toronto, Ontario, M9R 4B3, or phone  [phone], or e-mail [email protected].

SOURCE: Communications + Public Relations Foundation

Barbara Sheffield, APR, FCPRS
[phone]
[email protected]

Joel Levesque, APR, FCPRS
[phone]
[email protected]