Sample One: 2003 Schlarship Winner (Emily Pickard, Austin Peay State University)

Writing always came naturally to me," says Emily. "I wrote my first story for my mother when I was in the second grade."

As a public relations major at Austin Peay, Emily is learning to publish her exceptional writing talent as she pursues a career in communication. She is the Secretary/Treasurer of the APSU Student IABC Chapter, and serves as Vice President of the Public Relations Student Society of America Chapter at APSU. Already a proven leader, Emily delegates student group projects, including an extensive campaign for the Montgomery County Humane Society.

Emily has launched multiple marketing/member relations projects during her internship with Meriwether Lews Electric Cooperative, including printed collateral and advertisements. "Even with all the communications media available today, I feel you can make the most impact with printed collateral," says Emily. "They just have to be effective enough to grab the reader's attention."

As an intern, waitress, mother, IABC officer, and full-time student, Emily feels she has developed the necessary management and multi-tasking skills to prepare her for the future.

"Being a member and officer in the IABC has helped prepare me for my future," says Emily. "The leadership skills I have developed from this experience will benefit me for the rest of my life."

Sample Two: 2001 Scholarship Winner (Zac Wright, University of Tennessee - Knoxville)

Zac says, "I have been fortunate enough to study in two countries and work at a local PR firm and as a member of the national press staff of a presidential campaign."

The academic environment of the UTK campus has provided Zac with a diverse education. He has taken two honors seminars, two honors classes, and a University Honors course at UT. He was particularly excited about an opportunity afforded him by the University of Tennessee Journalism Department to study in Scotland. "As an exchange student at Napier University in Edinburgh, Scotland, I took classes in public relations, internal jourjalism, and international law and politics. I researched the cultural ramifications of American programming broadcast on Rbitish television. While there, I traveled to Brussels and presented my research findings at a consortium at the European Union. Later, I attended a press conference held by the European Union spokesperson."

Zac has served as part of the UT Student Government Association Freshman Council, as an SGA Senator, and as the Undergraduate Academic Council Parliamentarian, the UAC College of Communications Representative, and the UAC Public Relations Chair, as the IFC Greek Week Public Relations Chair, and in his fraternity chapter as Public Relations Chair and Scholarship Chair as well as Membership Director for the College Democrats.

Zac plans to graduate from UT in December 2002. With a 3.86 GPA, he has been on the UT Dean's List every semester and is a mamber of the National Dean's List. He also received the National Collegiate Scholars Award and is a member of the UT HOnors Program and a member of the Golden Key National Honors Society.

He worked as a member of the press staff on the Gore/Lieberman campaign and interned at a private public relations firm in Knosville where he wrote and edited press releases and client newsletters. He palns to work in PR in Washington, D. C.