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Rowan Student PR Group Hosts National Conference

The Rowan University chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America scored yet another coup in October with its hosting of the 2007 PRSSA National Conference in Philadelphia.

The five-day event, more than a year in the works, featured Philly-themed special events and socials, networking and career-building seminars, and such world-famous speakers as Tim Russert of NBC News and actress/activist Mia Farrow.

Sophomore Rebecca Timms, the logistics director for the Oct. 19-23 conference at the Loews Philadelphia Hotel, said she and fellow PRSSA members planned virtually everything, from session topics to the selection of speakers to the procurement of special keepsake bags and what to fill them with.

"I can't say how many hours we put into this thing because that would be way too much math for a PR major," Timms said.

The group began blueprinting the event in June 2006 in conjunction with the PRSSA chapter from Howard University, the conference co-host.

The Rowan chapter, named for iconic Rowan PR professor Anthony J. Fulginiti, has racked up dozens of awards since its founding 25 years ago and, prior to being chosen as conference co-host for 2007, was named best chapter in the nation an unprecedented seven times.

Many of the students who are active in PRSSA also hold executive positions with PRaction, a student-run public relations firm that takes on actual clients.

PRSSA chapter president Rosie Braude said Rowan PR students, an historically serious bunch of budding professionals, jumped at the opportunity to host the conference but it came at a price ? long days followed by longer nights.

"We're students too," she said. "We have jobs, classes, PRSSA and this on top of it. I think we're all breathing a big sigh of relief."