Last Thursday, Goshen College received confirmation of chapter recognition by the Public Relations Student Society of America, a leading voice in the nation’s PR industry.

Several public relations majors have been diligently working this semester to start a new PR chapter at Goshen College. This recognition allows GC membership in the national organization, joining over 300 other colleges committed to excellence in public relations and communication.

Students Bojana Jankova, Elizabeth Steel, and Hannah Bartel, all juniors, made it a priority to arrange meetings and join faculty members Pat Lehman and Richard Aguirre in hopes of becoming a new chapter.

This group was brought together after a PR class where  Lehman inspired Jankova, Steel and Bartel with a plan to get more involved outside of the classroom.

Students will now get the opportunity to receive hands-on experience with public relations professionals.

There is also a yearly conference where student chapter members and their president will attend PR-related events. This year’s conference will be held in California in October.

“Pat Lehman has been a big part of making this chapter possible,” said Jankova. “She sent in the application for the college’s chapter addition request and has helped to give us information to make this possible.”

Aguirre and Lehman have been active in this goal and have helped students to recruit other members on campus, as well as plan fundraising options to help cut the cost for members of the chapter.

On May 5th, the GC PRSSA members will host a talent show to raise funds for the required membership fees.

All faculty and staff members, as well as interested students, are encouraged to contact  Jankova for further information.