The school year may be coming to a close, but Waynesburg University public relations majors are still eager to learn before summer vacation begins.

For the past seven years, students from Waynesburg University’s chapter of Public

Relations Student Society of America planned one week of speakers, conferences, critiques and presentations related to the field of Public Relations.

Throughout the past week the various events were held in Buhl Hall ‘connecting the dots’ between the work force, college experience and how public relations is intertwined throughout everything.

Although the events and speakers revolve mainly around Public Relations, speakers will present on many different areas of communications this year, including sports reporting and design.

“Our theme is ‘connecting the dots’ because we do have what seems like a multitude of experiences and a multitude of events in different levels,” said junior Amanda Troncone, Vice President of Waynesburg University Public Relations Student Society of America [PRSSA] chapter .“Having all of these events that represent different things about professional public relations really speaks true to PRSSA’s mission to enhance students’ education and to broaden their network and to launch their careers.”

According to Troncone, there are some skills students just can’t learn in a classroom setting.

“There are a lot of different things we want to learn about, and should be learning about, that we can’t cover on a day to day basis,” said Troncone. “We’re going to learn industry skills, personal development skills and how to maneuver through the PR world while connecting regionally and even nationally.”

The week kicked off Monday afternoon in McCance Auditorium with four internship presentations. The “Professional Princesses”, consisting of Troncone, senior Maura Fenske and juniors Gabrielle Coy and Cheyenne Nester all spoke on behalf of their PR related internships they held in the past year.

According to Troncone, they planned events for every day of PR week so there would always be something educational going on that students can attend and learn from. Student internship presentations started PR week off Monday at noon, and the President’s Press Conference followed at 2 p.m. in the Alumni Hall room in Miller Hall.

A professional development session with PRSSA National Advisor of Top Hat Marketing Communications Firm and Publications Editor in Chief at PRSSA Natalie Gloady and a sports management panel occurred Tuesday, as well as a lecture from Ben Butler, the keynote speaker.

“[Butler] is also our incoming PRSSA National Advisor,” Troncone said. “It’s super cool to have everything from a national level of PRSSA come and be localized to Waynesburg PRSSA, because I think it speaks [a lot of] the connections we’ve made over the past few years and how we interact with the National Committee and the national staff.”

Troncone and Coy, along with Chapter Fundraising Coordinator Adam McKnight two of those students along with another played a heavy role in making Public Relations week happen. Troncone, Coy and Waynesburg’s Chapter Fundraising Coordinator, sophomore Tanner McKnight made up the team to plan out the week.

“They are fundamentally the lead planners,” said Richard Krause, chairperson for the department of communication, assistant professor of communication and faculty advisor to Waynesburg’s PRSSA chapter. “They are the ones who are responsible for coordinating all efforts to inviting people on campus, working with [secretary] Jan Teagarden to reserve facilities, and follow up with speakers to bring them to the university.”

Those responsibilities can be a handful, especially since they are all still college students.

“We have been planning every day since January. We’ve held meetings trying to figure out how to put the pieces together,” said McKnight. “My datebook has been full every day. So, it’s going to be a relief seeing all the hard work pay off.”

The various programs each focused in different directions. Many of the event’s speakers had a lot to bring to the week and the students who attended their programs.

Ben Butler, who recently became the PRSSA National Advisor, delivered the Keynote Address spoke in McCance Tuesday night.

PR week originally started out as a celebration of one day and has been growing ever since.

After seven years of expanding success, the week received a sponsorship with West Virginia University Reed College of Media. One of their representatives spoke during the Thursday afternoon session about Integrated Marketing Communication and Data Marketing Communication.

They talked about the graduate program that they offer. According to McKnight, it’s a nationally recognized online program. Those programs are what PR students are looking to learn more about.

Aside from Public Relations, the weeklong celebration went hand in hand with Waynesburg University’s mission to service.

“We are implementing a Corporate Social Responsibility event this year during the week,” said Troncone. “We have been collecting gently used professional dress clothes for men and women. If people ever needed professional clothes for an interview they will have access to that thanks to the donations.”

Every program saw a tote for donations set up to collect the clothes. Even when events didn’t take place, students and faculty were still encouraged to donate to the cause.

“We have been thinking of everyone in Greene County, and giving back to the community,” said McKnight. “We know how important appearance is, especially professionally dressed clothing for interviews.”

Even though each year the Waynesburg Chapter looks to improve PR week, one thing has remained the same.

“PR week is a time for celebration,” says Troncone. “It’s a place for professionals to speak on behalf of what they do, and learn from them through hands on experience.”