Educator of the Year

Initiated in 2008, each year SPRF recognizes outstanding professional educator members through its Educator of the Year award.  Each state organization (ECPRO, PRAL, PRAM, PRCA) is invited to nominate one outstanding public relations educator for the SPRF Educator of the Year Award.  The recipient of this award is announced at the SPRF annual conference.   

SPRF established this award to recognize an educator who has taught public relations or a closely-related discipline and who has demonstrated a commitment to advance the profession of public relations.

SPRF Educator of The Year 2012

SPRF President Susan Broussard, APR, congratulates Suzanne Horsley, PhD, from the University of Alabama, for being selected as the 2012 Educator of the Year.

Suzanne Horsley, PhD, is the 2012 award recipient. She teaches in the Department of Advertising and Public Relations at The University of Alabama. She was nominated for the award by PRCA. Other nominees included Van Thomas Roberts, PhD, Mississippi University for Women (PRAM) and Cathy Rogers Franklin, PhD, Loyola University (PRAL).

Past Educator of the Year Recipients:

  • 2011 – Melissa “Missy” LaBorde, APR, Louisiana State University/Alexandria – PRAL
  • 2010 – Lisa Darnell, APR, University of North Alabama – PRCA
  • 2009 – Robin Street, APR, University of Mississippi – PRAM
  • 2008 – Dr. Laura Walton, APR, Mississippi State University – PRAM