VCU news

By Leila Ugincius

The director of the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Mass Communications has won a top award from the Richmond chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.

Judy VanSlyke Turk, Ph.D., APR, Fellow PRSA, was presented with the 2008 Thomas Jefferson Award for Excellence in Public Relations during its annual awards ceremony June 12 at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond.

In addition to Turk, The VCU Office of Communications and Public Relations won two awards in the media relations tactics category. "Bedside is a Stage: Maximizing Media Coverage of a Surprising Medical Study" won a Bronze Medallion, and "The Business of NASCAR: Using New Media to Pitch Professors' Unique Expertise" won a Bronze Certificate of Merit.

The Thomas Jefferson Award recognizes extraordinary achievement in public relations with winners exemplifying the best in the profession.

"The Virginia Public Relations Awards recognize the exceptional work of public relations practitioners from across the state," said Felicia F. McLemore, APR, president of PRSA Richmond. "This recognition celebrates the value of public relations as a business tool, as well as the creativity of public relations professionals."

Turk worked in journalism schools at a number of universities, including Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates, the University of South Carolina and Kent State University before joining VCU in 2002. She is president-elect of the Association of Schools of Journalism and Mass Communications and is past president of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications. Turk earned a bachelor's degree in journalism from Northwestern University, a master's degree from Northern Illinois University and a doctoral degree from Syracuse University.

Entries were judged for planning and content, creativity and quality, technical excellence and measurable results.