“Passing of the gavel” by current PRSA-NCC president Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, (left), to incoming president Barbara Burfeind, APR.
PRSA’s National Capital Chapter, serving over 1,400 members in the greater Washington D.C. area, kicked off the holidays with a Nov. 20th reception filled with networking, fine food, prizes and laughter at Elizabeth’s on L, a hip, converted row house in DC. (More photos in "Around Town.")
Recognition of the volunteers that make NCC one of the finest PRSA chapters included the 2008 officers, directors and more than 25 active committees. Robert Udowitz received a second consecutive Diamond Award as NCC’s most valuable player for his outstanding creativity, professionalism and service on the chapter.
NCC also honored five newly accredited public relations professionals who can now place the sought-after “APR” after their names as a mark of significant professional distinction. They are: Bryan Hilfertyl, APR: Lesly Simmons, APR; Jane Leibbrand, APR; Amy Robinson, APR; and, Amie Hornbaker, APR.
Also announced at the event were the 2008 AARP PRSA National Capital Hall of Fame Scholarship winners. Julie Feldman and Latonya Austin, both seniors at, respectively, the University of Maryland - College Park and George Mason University, were co-winners of the scholarship, which was created a year ago by AARP in honor of the PRSA National Capital Hall of Fame, which recognizes outstanding public relations professionals in the Washington DC area. Both students received $1,000 toward their education expenses.
The evening wrapped with a symbolic “passing of the gavel” by current president, Heathere Evans-Keenan, APR, to incoming president Barbara Burfeind, APR, with much holiday merriment and raffle prizes for attendees. For more information about PRSA-NCC events, visits www.prsa-ncc.org.