2015 PRSA Public Service Award Recipient

NEW YORK, Oct. 7, 2015 – The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced today that it will present Barbara E. Arnold, MBA, APR, with the Paul M. Lund Public Service Award. The award will be presented at the PRSA 2015 International Conference during the Monday Networking Luncheon on Nov. 9 in Atlanta, GA.

“Barbara has excelled as a public relations professional for more than 30 years, and because of her exemplary service and dedication to giving back to the community, she is the perfect candidate for this prestigious award,” said Kathy Barbour, APR, 2015 PRSA National Chair. “Barbara has stated that she is most proud of her work as a mentor; a statement that I hope all in our Society can aspire to emulate. Our junior professionals are the future of our profession, and Barbara’s commitment to guiding them through their ascent is to be commended.”

The Paul M. Lund Public Service Award is named in honor of the late Paul M. Lund, vice president of Public Relations and Employee Communications of AT&T in the early 1970s. Lund was both an accomplished leader in public relations and in every community of which he was a part of. He consistently demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to public service. The award is given to a PRSA member whose participation as a volunteer in important public activities has increased the common good and reflected credit on the Society.

“Volunteering is in my DNA,” said Arnold. “I share this award with my PRSSA students at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, the PRSA Minnesota Chapter, and my mentors, protégés, leaders, colleagues, friends, and family who have supported me in my efforts to touch lives and build bridges in the communities wherever I call home.”

Arnold has given back to both the PRSA and her local community throughout her career. She currently serves as a mentor and volunteer Professional Adviser of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Her mentoring extends beyond students to Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) candidates in the PRSA Minnesota Chapter and candidates across the globe in PRSA’s online APR course.

Outside of her work with PRSA, Arnold played a key role in establishing the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund, launched six days after September 11, 2001. This fund has awarded $115.9 million to 2,825 financially needy dependents of those killed or injured in the 9/11 attacks and rescue efforts.  Arnold volunteers many hours on behalf of education, sustainability, social justice, and arts and culture.

The 2015 PRSA International Conference will be held at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, November 8 – 10. A full lineup of speakers and registration information can be found at the Conference website. Discounted hotel and travel rates are also available.

About the Public Relations Society of America
PRSA is the largest professional organization serving the U.S. public relations community. With a mission to “advance the profession and the professional,” PRSA provides news and information, thought leadership, continuing education and networking opportunities; sets standards of professional excellence and ethical conduct; and advocates for the business value of public relations and greater diversity among public relations professionals. Based in New York, PRSA comprises 110 local Chapters; 14 Professional Interest Sections that focus on specific industries and practice areas; and the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA), which is active at more than 340 colleges and universities.

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