On Thursday, Jan. 31, Waynesburg University’s chapter of PRSSA made its annual trip to the PRSA Pittsburgh Renaissance awards. 

This event is widely known as one of the largest celebrations of the year for all chapters that fall under the Public Relations Society of America in Pittsburgh. 

“This is the night when all of the people, all the leading people in various public relations positions in Pittsburgh get together and one night, and they celebrate outstanding public relations work,” Chairperson for the Department of Communication and Assistant Professor of Communication Richard Krause said. 

This event also recognizes campaigns, different social media approaches and even has individual awards as well. However, Waynesburg was able to utilize this night in another capacity.

“We got invited and I think we were the first to respond, and they were looking for students to work the event and we turned around very quickly and said, ‘yes we definitely want to,’” Krause said. “You have our students working with all the leading PR professionals in Pittsburgh. So anytime the chapter can get involved with PRSA Pittsburgh that is a big deal for us.”

Krause also said that the chapter for Waynesburg has begun to trend up with the amount of members joining. 

“If you put a map or line chart up, we are trending up so significantly over the last 18 months,” Krause said. “COVID just devastated that organization, and it crippled the number of majors and really decreased the numbers we had in the chapter. Then in the last two years, thanks to the efforts of students, we have really seen this take off.”  

Chapter President Sydney Smiley was one of three students able to attend this event along with junior Olivia Kiger and sophomore Diana Hernandez. 

“Overall, we had a great time. We got to help set up and we put awards in picture frames and then set up some of the tableware because we were volunteering,” Smiley said. “It was a nice night to spend with my two closest friends and be with all the people we enjoy.”

Smiley utilized the extra opportunity while working the event to network and build connections. 

“It’s a good way to represent the chapter,” Smiley said. “To get involved and network with people in the Pittsburgh area. We saw past WU presidents there. It is definitely a good way to network and meet people and discuss the little niche areas of public relations that you might find and you like the most.” 

Hernandez said not only just being able to attend the event, but to do it as a sophomore and make those early connections is great for her. 

“Being able to get there and meet these people gives you a head start,” Hernandez said. “Being the only sophomore in the room and competing with juniors and seniors, it is nice to have that advantage.”