Lauren Steeves wins 2015 Calgary Legacy Scholarship

CALGARY, Feb. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Lauren Steeves, Mount Royal University, is the 2015 winner of the Calgary Legacy Scholarship awarded by the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) Calgary in partnership with the Communications + Public Relations Foundation. This $1,000 scholarship is awarded annually to a second year student studying public relations/communications in a recognized program in one of Mount Royal University, University of Calgary or SAIT.

Those who make a submission must demonstrate an overall understanding of public relations and communications, its theoretical and practical elements, including values and principles through submission of a two-page essay on a specified topic. The 2015 topic focused on Codes of Ethics and Professional Standards in the practice of public relations.

"Education, training and career development are cornerstones of the Canadian Public Relations Society. This scholarship is another way that CPRS can support future public relations practitioners as they prepare to enter the profession," said Janice Robertson, President of CPRS Calgary.

Steeves pointed out that public relations is centered on earning credibility so when a professional acts against the code of ethics and fails to preserve the public interest, he/she not only tarnishes the image of a client or employer, but also does damage to his or her own reputation. She believes that ethics in public relations begins with the individual and must be practiced in the public interest.

"Lauren's professors describe her as 'bright, serious, articulate, a productive team player, thoughtful, conscientious and kind' and we're delighted that she is the latest recipient of the CPRS Legacy Scholarship", says Jane Stoneman McNichol, Chair, Public Relations Program, Mount Royal University.

Steeves has been recognized as a member of Mount Royal's President's Honour Roll and was the winner of a competition associated with the Hailey Wickenheiser World Female Hockey Festival. She has also been on the University of Saskatchewan's Dean's Honour List. With a background in retail sales, she earned second place for the highest sales productivity in Canada for Le Chateau.

The Canadian Public Relations Society is a national public relations membership organization with 16 member societies in major cities organized province-wide. It establishes and encourages high levels of professional standards, ethics and studies in public relations.

The Calgary Legacy Scholarship funds and competition are managed by the Communications + Public Relations Foundation on behalf of CPRS (Calgary). 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, at [email protected] or check www.CPRFoundation.ca.

A photo is available from the Foundation upon request.

SOURCE Communications + Public Relations Foundation

Barbara Sheffield, APR, FCPRS, Executive Director, Communications + Public Relations Foundation, [phone], [email protected], or Janice Robertson, APR, President, CPRS (Calgary), [phone], [email protected]