Awards

Ernest R. McDowell Award for Excellence in Public Relations

The Ernest R. McDowell Award was established by PPRS in 1991 to recognize an individual for sustained excellence in the field of public relations, in both the profession itself and the community.

The award is presented in memory of the late Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Relations with Capital Health System – today’s PinnacleHealth System. Ernie set the standard for professionalism and community service with his good works and lifetime example.

Recommendations: PPRS members are encouraged to recommend individuals for consideration by the society's Executive Committee. Names with supporting evidence to qualify for the award should be submitted to Robert M. Fisher, Chair, Awards and Installation Committee, no later than August 1. The chair will forward recommendations -- and any developed by members of the committee -- to the president of the society.

The McDowell Award is presented at the society’s Annual Meeting and Evening of Honors in November.

Past Award Recipients

  • 1991 Ernest R. McDowell
  • 1992 Robert M. Fisher
  • 1993 Frederick E. Leuschner
  • 1994 Nicholas J. Goble
  • 1995 Kenneth L. Bowers
  • 1996 Robert E. Hetherington
  • 1997 Betty C. Hungerford
  • 1998 George H. Geise
  • 1999 William T. Lunsford, Jr.
  • 2000 David E. Sill (posthumously)
  • 2001 Elizabeth Van Wye
  • 2002 Kathy A. Silks
  • 2003 Susan L. Anthony
  • 2004 Deborah Saline, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • 2005 Robert S. Saline, APR, Fellow PRSA
  • 2006 Tony May
  • 2007 Albert Mason, APR
  • 2008 Kenneth G. Robinson
  • 2009 Rob Rutz
  • 2010 Denise Calabrese
  • 2011 John Maietta


Robert M. Fisher Membership Recruitment Award

Membership is the lifeblood of any successful organization. Without a continual flow of new members, PPRS will not achieve its purpose, as outlined in the constitution and bylaws when the society was founded in 1950.

PPRS has been fortunate in regularly attracting public relations professionals who wish to improve their skills, help elevate the standards of the profession, stay current on trends in the field and engage other colleagues in the field.

The most important source of new members is the membership itself --current members are all recruiters for the society. Consequently, in 2003, PPRS instituted the Robert M. Fisher Membership Recruitment Award in recognition of the acknowledged leader in recommending new members over many years.

The award is presented at the society’s Annual Meeting and Evening of Honors in November.

Past Award Recipients

  • 2003 Robert M. Fisher
  • 2004 Denise R. Calabrese
  • 2005 Stacy Henninger
  • 2006 Stephanie Weyant
  • 2007 Joan Nissley
  • 2008 Suzanne Graney
  • 2009 Joan Nissley
  • 2010 Jennifer Kocher
  • 2011 Joan Nissley