Award will benefit students pursuing a career in public relations
RALEIGH, N.C. (April 7, 2009) - Rick French, Chairman & CEO of French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation's largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agencies, today announced that he has created a scholarship at his alma mater - Oakland University in Rochester, Mich. - to help students prepare for careers in the public relations field.
The Richard D. French Public Relations Tuition Award in the College of Arts and Sciences, Department of Communication and Journalism, is an annual commitment that will benefit Oakland University students who are working toward a minor in public relations and pursuing internships prior to graduation. Applications for the scholarship will be screened by a team of Oakland University department faculty with French reviewing the applicants as well. Award recipients will possess a number of key attributes, including a passion for the public relations field, an ability to write well and a very strong work ethic.
"The public relations field is difficult to break into and graduating students need to have the hands-on skills necessary to get that first job," said French. "An internship is a critical foot in the door, and the goal of this scholarship is to help well-rounded, driven students fully prepare for their future careers."
French is a graduate of Oakland University and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism. Prior to founding FWV 12 years ago, he served in senior management positions with several large PR firms, and also worked for both an international chemical company and a national bank holding company. He began his career in Detroit as a print and television journalist.
About French/West/Vaughan
French/West/Vaughan (FWV) is the Southeast's largest independent public relations, public affairs and brand communications agency. FWV was named a 2006 finalist for PR Week magazine's "Midsize PR Agency of the Year" award, and was named the Holmes Report's 2004 National Consumer Agency of the Year. National and international clients represented by the agency include the Global Water Foundation, the Coca-Cola Company, Wrangler, Justin Boot Company, Canada Post, GeneralSports Venue (exclusive U.S. licensee of AstroTurf), the International Gemological Institute, Nehst Studios, OTB Records, Nfinity Shoes - the official shoe of cheerleading, and the Gatlinburg Department of Tourism. Regional public relations clients include North Carolina State University, the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association and Tweetsie Railroad, among many others. The agency is headquartered in Raleigh and has offices in both New York City and Tampa. The agency's creative arm, FWV Distilled, was established in 2007 and provides award-winning advertising, graphic design and eMERGING media services for a wide range of clients. For more information, please visit http://www.fwv-us.com/.
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