May 04, 2004

Student group honored for fundraiser

by K.C. Jaehnig

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A student organization of future public relations professionals has won a Southern Illinois University Carbondale leadership award for a campus-community fundraiser it sponsored last fall.

Members of SIUC's Public Relations Student Society of America received the "Outstanding Program" plaque for their Halloween "Campus Lake Massacre" at a Student Development office awards ceremony April 22. The "Massacare," a variation on traditional "haunted house" activities, drew more than 800 "scarees" and took in more than $3,500, with 60 percent of funds raised going to the Women's Center of Carbondale, the Children's Organ Transplant Center and the ROSE, a breast cancer research center. (Visit the "Massacre" online at http://newshound.de.siu.edu/fall03/stories/storyReader$2044.)

Faculty adviser Nilanjana Bardhan said putting the event together provided the budding PR practitioners with a lot of real-world experience.

"We wanted to do something constructive to put Halloween, which is something that's had a lot of negative press, in a positive light," she said.

"We tried to make it an inclusive event reaching out beyond campus, and we received support from both area businesses and the Carbondale City Council. It was the first time the city had ever monetarily supported a registered student organization."

Creating citizen-leaders with global perspectives is among the goals of Southern@150, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.

Founded in 1967, PRSSA has more than 81,000 members in 160 campus chapters nationwide; SIUC's chapter is 35 years old. Members who took part in the fundraiser (by hometown) were:

Belleville: Kristen B. Wells, a junior in speech communication and the daughter of William P. and Rita L. Wells (329 Breckenridge Drive);

Chicago: Brandie C. Bush, a senior in speech communication and the daughter of Lawrence and Doris F. Hicks (7548 S. Seeley);

Jessica M. Hoyos, a junior in speech communication and the daughter of Eliezer Hoyos (3455 W. Diversy) and Gladys Hoyos (3200 N. Natchez);

John M. Stampley, a junior in speech communication and the son of Mark Stampley and Audrey Bunch (1628 W. 100th St.);

Effingham: Lisa M. Althoff, a junior in speech communication and the daughter of Douglas C. and Gail E. Althoff (1022 Lynn Drive);

Elmhurst: Shazad H. Mehta, a senior in speech communication and the son of Hosi P. and Kimberly A. Mehta (200 Bonnie Brae);

Forsyth: Brad C. Austin, a senior in speech communication and the son of Ronald C. Austin (777 Christopher Drive) and Janyce L. Austin (783 Gunnar Lane);

Highland Park: Janeé E. Schuster (858 Half Day Road), a senior in speech communication and the daughter of Eric M. Schuster and Denise M. Hill;

Jacksonville: Nicholas I. Eoff, a senior in speech communication and the son of Thomas R. and Judith J. Eoff;

Morrison: Jennifer L. Bramm, a senior in speech communication and the daughter of Phillip W. and Irene L. Bramm (405 W. Winfield);

Oak Forest: August B. Arrigo IV, a senior in speech communication and the son of August B. and Jill T. Arrigo (14801 Brecky Court);

Nicole I. Bihlmeier, a senior in speech communication and the daughter of Alan and Candy Bihlmeier (15838 Lavergne);

Schaumburg: Seth R. Cohn, a junior in speech communication and the son of Laurence and Jennifer Cohn (337 Stockport Lane).