Two of the 35 award categories at last night’s PR Week Awards got the effervescent (e.g. noisy) crowd to pay attention. Almost everyone in the Grand Hyatt Ballroom in New York was curious to meet and celebrate the future of the profession—PR students and young professionals.
Sarah Corder of Liberty University was named PR Student of the Year, with honorable mention going to Jonathan Gregalis of Syracuse University. Other finalists were Courtney Garrett of Liberty, Jessica Jutkiewicz of Rutgers and Emily Willeman of Western Washington University.
Young professionals not too far removed from their college days already are making a difference in their respective agencies. Molly McLeod, a magna cum laude graduate of Boston University’s College of Communication, received top honors as Young PR Professional of the Year. Molly turned her internship at Hellerman Baretz Communications into a full-time position, and was promoted to Senior Account Executive in near record time.
Other young professional finalists were: Heather Fox, Catalyst Public Relations, Serena May, Ogilvy Public Relations, Ariella Steinreich, Burston Marsteller and Katie Wilson, Fahlgren Mortine (honorable mention).