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STARKVILLE, Miss.—�һ�ֱ�� State University spring graduate Marisa Laudadio is the 2020 Student of the Year for the Public Relations Association of �һ�ֱ��, joining other �һ�ֱ�� students and professionals receiving high honors during the annual PRAM awards ceremony.

The original spring ceremony was canceled because of COVID-related concerns. The late July virtual ceremony was a first-of-its-kind online celebration for PRAM.

�һ�ֱ�� students and employees received more than two dozen awards at the ceremony.

“The long list of awards is a testament to the hard work of our talented students and dedicated faculty,” said Terry Likes, professor and head of �һ�ֱ��’s Department of Communication. “Our PR faculty work hard to bring real-world experience to the classroom.”

The PRAM Student of the Year Award, presented by CSpire, honors Laudadio’s dedication to the field of public relations and comes with a $1,000 scholarship. Laudadio is a political science and communication/public relations double-major from Walnut. She graduated in May as an �һ�ֱ�� Stephen D. Lee Scholar, earning a 4.0 GPA for both of her bachelor’s degrees. She also was awarded a minor in foreign language/Spanish and was a Shackouls Honors College graduate with Collegium Honorum Distinction for completing a special “path of honor” curriculum. The 2019 Truman Scholarship finalist also was a John C. Stennis Scholar, Haley Barbour Scholar and member of Phi Beta Kappa Honors Society. She completed internships with the Office of Agricultural Communications, �һ�ֱ��’s Department of Communication and the Stennis Center for Public Service in Starkville.

The PRAM awards, judged by professionals outside the geographical boundaries of the Southern Public Relations Federation—�һ�ֱ��, Alabama, Florida, and Louisiana—recognize outstanding work by �һ�ֱ��ans in the field of public relations and celebrate select individuals for their contributions to the profession in both the public and private sectors. PRism Awards represent top honors. Award-winning entries demonstrate process, results and creativity beyond tactical excellence.

Those recognized from �һ�ֱ�� State University include:

Professional PRism Winners

• Laura McPhail, Libby Havelin and Committee, National Strategic Planning and Analysis Research Center (NSPARC), “Data Summit 2019,” special event. 
• �һ�ֱ�� Office of Public Affairs, “�һ�ֱ�� 2019 Commercial,” audio and video.
• Terri Hernandez, Lauren Lucas, Madeline Burdine and Peyton Neal, �һ�ֱ�� Public Relations and Integrated Student Media Agency (PRISM)/Department of Communication, “PRISM Organization Identity Campaign,” graphics.
• Terri Hernandez, Blake Williams and Angela Reives, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa Social Media Campaign: ‘Who is MBT?’” social media management. This project also received the Best of Tier 3/Tactical Materials/Projects category award.
• Laura McPhail, NSPARC, “Women in �һ�ֱ�� and East Africa Unite,” writing.
• Dominique Lewis, NSPARC, “Nexus Article: Data and Technology Sparks Highly Skilled Future Workforce,” writing.

Student PRism Winners

• Annie Price, NSPARC, “Creating the Portal to Kindergarten Readiness,” writing.
• Tori Boatner, NSPARC, “Job Scout: Career Exploration App Article,” writing.          

Professional Awards of Excellence

• �һ�ֱ�� Office of Public Affairs, “�һ�ֱ�� Testimonial Video: Urita Agana,” audio and video.
• Checky Herrington, �һ�ֱ�� Office of Public Affairs, “We Ring True Landing Page Narratives,” writing.
• Terri Hernandez, Carly Pippin, Charlotte Corr, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Center for Community-Engagement: 2019 Annual Publication,” advertising and publications.
• Terri Hernandez, Marisa Laudadio, Amelia Henson, Leah Worley and Camille Stevenson, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Gender Impacts Lab Website Creation,” digital.
• Tate Smith and Terri Hernandez, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “PRISM Logo Creation,” graphics.
• Terri Hernandez, Bailey Sennett, Emily Stone and KaLeigh Walker, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Center for Community-Engaged Learning Social Media Campaign,” social media management.
• Terri Hernandez, McKinsy Harris and Avery DeVaughn, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Mercedes-Benz of Tuscaloosa ‘Community Involvement’ Social Media Campaign,” social media management.
• Femi Sobayo, NSPARC, “Data Summit 2019 Promotional Video,” audio and video.
• Nathan Ansel and Femi Sobayo, NSPARC, “Data Summit 2019 Mobile App,” digital.
• Sasha Steinberg, Office of Public Affairs, “The Concert King,” writing.

Student Awards of Excellence

• Annie Price, Mariah Stevens and Tori Boatner, NSPARC, “#DS2019 Social Media Campaign,” student campaigns.
• Tate Smith, Department of Communication, “Poppy Boutique,” collateral materials.
• Mariah Stevens, NSPARC, “Data Summit: Expanding Data-Driven Conversations Across Multiple Industries,” writing.

Certificates of Merit

• Leah Barbour, Michaela Parker, Zac Ashmore, Elizabeth North, Gina Daly and Philip Smith, �һ�ֱ�� Extension Office of Agricultural Communications, “TCALP Recruitment,” marketing.
• �һ�ֱ�� Office of Public Affairs, “�һ�ֱ�� Spring 2019 Alumnus Magazine,” advertising and publications.
• Karen Brasher, David Ammon, Vanessa Beeson, Taylor Vollin, Dominique Belcher, Stephen Caples and Reagan Poston, �һ�ֱ�� Agricultural and Natural Resources Marketing Team, “MAFES Discovers,” advertising and publications.
• Janiece Pigg, Vanessa Beeson, Karen Brasher, David Ammon and Troy Weaver, �һ�ֱ�� Agricultural and Natural Resources Marketing Team, “MAFES Sales Store Valentine’s Day Campaign,” social media management.
• Emile Creel, Social Science Research Center, “SSRC 2019 Annual Report,” advertising and publications.
• Laura McPhail, Dominique Lewis, Femi Sobayo, Tori Boatner, Annie Price and Mariah Stevens, NSPARC, “Nexus Fall 2019,” advertising and publications.
• Terri Hernandez and Madeline Burdine, �һ�ֱ�� PRISM/Department of Communication, “Children’s Foundation of �һ�ֱ��’s Website Creation,” digital.

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