KU public relations students plan regional conference April 4 and 5

LAWRENCE -- Ten members of a University of Kansas student public relations organization are planning a conference that will bring about 100 public relations students from 11 universities to KU and the greater Kansas City area April 4 and 5.

The KU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America is host for "Growing by Choice, Not by Chance: Promoting Professional Responsibility," the first nationally sanctioned PRSSA regional conference at KU since 1998.

Activities planned include a career fair from 2:30 to 5 p.m. April 4 at the Kansas Union; a networking dinner from 6 p.m. to midnight April 4 at several restaurants on Country Club Plaza in Kansas City, Mo.; a public relations writing competition from 8 to 10 a.m. April 5; and speaker sessions from 10:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. April 5 that will cover a variety of public relations topics such as "The ABCs of Event Planning" and "Networking for the Nervous." The writing competitions and speaker sessions will take place in either Stauffer-Flint Hall or the Dole Human Development Center at KU.

An awards banquet from 7 to 9 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the Kansas Union will feature a keynote address by Walter H. Jennings, vice president of global communications at Ford Motor Credit Co., Dearborn, Mich.

KU PRSSA is a pre-professional organization that provides its members opportunities to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the public relations field. It introduces students to the public relations field through professional guest speakers, involvement in public relations activities, networking opportunities and practical experience.

PRSSA was founded in 1968 by the Public Relations Society of America to cultivate a favorable and mutually advantageous relationship between students and professional public relations practitioners.

Students planning the conference are:

BROWN COUNTY
From Horton
Erin Rodvelt, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Douglas and Brenda Rodvelt; Horton High School graduate. As a social coordinator for the conference, she manages T-shirt production and plans "PRSSA on the Plaza," a networking event where conference attendees dine with public relations professionals. She also manages videotaping of the conference.

CHEROKEE COUNTY
From Galena
Kelli Christman, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Christman; Galena High School graduate. She assists with the career fair planning, promotion and finding speakers.

DOUGLAS COUNTY
From Lawrence
Susan Reeves, senior in strategic communications; Rome Free Academy graduate. She is a finance coordinator for the event, responsible for raising funding and securing sponsorships from Lawrence and Kansas City area businesses.

JOHNSON COUNTY
From Lenexa
Cassandra Hicks, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Brenda Hicks; Shawnee Mission Northwest High School graduate. She assists with the career fair planning, promotion and finding speakers.

From Overland Park
Layla Azimi, junior in strategic communications, daughter of Shahla Baron; St. Thomas Aquinas High School graduate. As a social coordinator for the conference, she manages T-shirt production and plans "PRSSA on the Plaza," a networking event where conference attendees dine with public relations professionals. She also manages videotaping of the conference.

SEDGWICK COUNTY
From Wichita
Adriene Geist, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Leslie Farha; Wichita High School East graduate. She is a logistics coordinator for the event, responsible for helping locate accommodations, handling logistical support and assisting with the career fair.

Christa Lobaugh, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Colleen Lobaugh; Trinity Academy graduate. She is the event coordinator and chapter president. The event coordinator plans the sessions, budget, career fair, writing competition and awards banquet; secures facilities; is in charge of promotional and registration materials; and is the primary contact for visitors.

MISSOURI
From Gladstone
Abigail Sidesinger, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Scott and Traci Sidesinger; Oak Park High School graduate. She is a finance coordinator for the event, responsible for raising funding and securing sponsorships from Lawrence and Kansas City area businesses.

NEBRASKA
From Lincoln
Ashley Curtis, senior in strategic communications, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Curtis; Lincoln Southeast High School graduate. She is a logistics coordinator for the event, responsible for helping locate accommodations, handling logistical support and assisting with the career fair.

TEXAS
From Dallas
Elizabeth Schnieders, senior in strategic communications and psychology, daughter of Larry and Kali Schnieders; Plano Senior High School graduate. She assists with the career fair planning, promotion and finding speakers.