April 8, 12 University of Mississippi students walked away with state awards in the Public Relations Association of Mississippi student competition. The university sweeping 12 of the 13 awards presented was a feat in itself, to then only be outshone by award recipient Tori Olker also being named as PR Student of the Year.
“It feels absolutely amazing to see my work pay off, but it’s not about winning awards for me,” Olker said. “I just put my head down and produce the best quality of work that I can, and getting recognized for that is a bonus.”
Not only is she modest of her successes, but Olker also exhibits a strong work ethic and dedication to her studies that made her the complete packaged student to have been nominated for this unique state award.
“PRAM’s Student of the Year Award is bestowed to one student annually who exemplifies the professionalism, goals and ideals of the public relations profession,” according to the PRAM website.
The student is not only judged on his or her public relations activities of the past year, but also their academic excellence and academic honors, campus involvement, community activities, future goals and a letter of recommendation from their nominating professor.
Olker was nominated by Ole Miss Professor Robin Street, senior lecturer in journalism and Public Relations. When completing her nominee application, Street began in saying, “I am in awe of my nominee for PR Student of the Year.”
“Tori is one of the top students I have taught in 20 years. Her assignments are consistently best in class,” Street said. “She has been inducted into every honors society on campus, and will soon receive the prestigious university Taylor Medal for the highest G.P.A. of any student in her major.”
With such an outstanding resume, nominating Olker was clearly a “no-brainer” for Street, and when the judges received the application, the feeling must have been mutual.
“The judges commented that Tori really set herself apart from the other candidates and demonstrated that she had great drive,” said Laura Beth Strickland, Visit Vicksburg communications manager who serves as PRAM vice president of student services.
Looking forward, these moments of recognition will only push Olker to continue to strive for excellence in all that she pursues. Being passionate for all aspects of journalism, communications and marketing, while now having a recognized talent for public relations, the opportunities for her seem immense. Olker has spent her time at Ole Miss purposefully to make sure she would have the skills to be qualified in a variety of focuses.
Olker said, “I would love to pursue a career in PR, and I cannot thank Ms. Street enough for providing me with the skills I need to be successful.”
With one month remaining in this semester, Olker will soon graduate with her bachelor’s in journalism. At this time she is unsure exactly what her next step will be, but wherever her future takes her, she is ready for it.
“I am so ready to take the next step after graduation, and make my way into the working world,” Olker said. “The University of Mississippi has given me so many wonderful opportunities, and I cannot wait to see who I become and what I accomplish as a professional journalist.”
Meaghan Snell is a senior broadcast journalism major. She can be reached at mesnell@go.olemiss.edu.
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