Ryan Ferguson wins 2013 Calgary Legacy Scholarship

TORONTO, April 4, 2013 /CNW/ - Ryan Ferguson, Mount Royal University, is the second 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.

The winner 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 2013 topic focused on a two-way symmetrical communication model considered to be the ideal approach for effective and strategic public relations.

Ferguson focused on the benefits of this approach to both parties—those who send and those who receive—pointing out that this model gives the audience more empowerment, creates a sense of community, and develops trust between the organization and its audience. He addressed the use of social media, mass emails, town halls, surveys, forms and advertising campaigns.

"Education, training and career development are cornerstones of our organization. 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.

In 2012, Ferguson received two honours—he was appointed to the Dean's Honour Role for significant academic achievement and received the Jason Lang Scholarship for exceptional academic achievement, both from Mount Royal University.

In addition to his course work, Ferguson is committed to community where he has taken on a number of projects in Calgary—volunteering with the Stephen Ames Golf tournament and the Spruce Meadows World Equestrian Centre as well as with Shaw Communications and the CUPS, One World Child Development Centre.

"Ryan is a determined and very creative individual", said Janet Hamnett, Assistant Professor, public relations program at Mount Royal University. "His work reflects strategic thinking that will serve him well as he prepares for a career in public relations."

In addition to the scholarship, the winner receives a complimentary membership in CPRS (Calgary) and a complimentary registration for a CPRS (Calgary) event.

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].

SOURCE: Communications + Public Relations Foundation

Barbara Sheffield, APR, FCPRS
Communications + Public Relations Foundation
[phone]
[email protected]

or

Janice Robertson, APR
President, CPRS (Calgary)
(403)  244-4843
[email protected]

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