PRSA Chicago Senior Leaders Committee Honors Ron Culp and DePaul University’s Public Relations and Advertising (PRAD) Program with 2020 Distinguished Leader Award
CHICAGO, December 3, 2020 -- Held virtually for the first time ever, the online celebration Dec. 3 featured colorful remarks from students and educators as well as a lively musical tribute created especially for the occasion.
In light of the pandemic, the committee took a fresh, virtual approach to the traditional in-person winter networking event honoring an exceptional senior leader. The senior leaders weren’t going to let Covid-19 stop them from honoring Ron Culp, one of the PR profession’s global superstars, as well as the DePaul University PRAD Program, which under his leadership has become one of the top programs of its kind in the country, with their 2020 Distinguished Leader Award. The award is given "for career achievement and significant contributions to the public relations profession.”
The annual Distinguished Leader event was established 16 years ago with a two-fold purpose. First and foremost, to honor a senior leader who has had a seminal impact on the public relations profession, such as Ron Culp. And second, to thank all the agency, corporate and non-profit senior leaders for their support of PRSA Chicago through enabling their team members to join and attend the chapter’s outstanding programs. This ongoing learning helps strengthen the entire Chicago PR community and underscores the value and appreciation of senior leader support.
Hosted by Bill Parke, principal of W. H. Parke Co., and Ginger Porter, president of Golin’s Midwest Region, the 2020 Distinguished Leader Award celebration on December 3 drew more than 100 online participants. It featured heartfelt comments from members of DePaul’s administration and faculty as well as glowing testimonials from a number of Ron’s former students. Everyone was in agreement as to Ron’s extraordinary skill as a teacher and author, his worthy championship of networking and his unequalled value in mentoring and career advice. They are sure that all this is what has made the PRAD program so successful. The video celebration ended with a not-to-be missed musical tribute from Jon Harris, followed by spontaneous comments by participants.
In light of Ron’s leadership and his key role in the DePaul University PRAD Program, the PRSA Chicago Senior Leaders Committee has made a contribution in his name to the Ron Culp Endowed Scholarship for Future Leaders in Public Relations, at DePaul University.
The committee owes a debt of gratitude to Jim Motzer, executive producer of the event video, which is now available online.
And also wishes to thank the following generous underwriters: Astellas, Conagra, FleishmanHillard, Flowers Communications Group, Gagen MacDonald, Golin, KemperLesnik, Ketchum, The Jernstedt Company, Virginia Mann Group, Weber Shandwick and Zapwater Communications. Their support not only helped with the Distinguished Leader event, but helps with future Senior Leader events and the contribution to Ron’s charity.