OSU student places in national PR competition

Thursday, March 12, 2009

(March 12, 2009  Stillwater, OK) - Oklahoma State University student Meagan Wheeler of Lawton placed second in the PRWeek Student of the Year competition for 2009, which pitted her against 908 other contestants from around the country. Wheeler, a senior majoring in journalism and broadcasting, will receive $1,000 and a paid internship at Hill & Knowlton, a leading, global, multi-specialist communications firm.
 
Wheeler competed by submitting an extensive public relations campaign for a sports apparel company and also responded to an imaginary crisis situation that could adversely impact the firm. She was among five finalists asked to pitch their plans and respond to a panel of PR professionals in New York City and then to an editor at BusinessWeek magazine.
 
“It gave me a chance to compete against many of the best of my peers at the national level and showcase my skills and the portfolio I’ve gained at OSU,” said Wheeler. “It was a once in a lifetime experience that I will treasure for years to come.”
 
Notes from the competition’s judges indicate they were impressed with Wheeler. Her presentation was called “focused” with compelling facts and figures, and her crisis communications plan drew high marks. Wheeler recently made a return trip to New York to receive her award at Tavern on the Green.
 
“We are very proud of Meagan and pleased that our public relations program is nationally competitive,” said Derina Holtzhausen, director of the School of Journalism and Broadcasting at Oklahoma State University. “Meagan’s performance is evidence that faculty members are helping students translate what they learn in the classroom to real-life situations.”
 
PRWeek magazine publishes a special booklet each year outlining the winners of the competition and their campaigns. The event is sponsored by Hill & Knowlton.