Posted on Tuesday, February 11, 2003
Five members of the Westminster College English and Public Relations Department are collaborating on a new public relations textbook.
The Westminster PR group has been signed by A.B. Longman, a division of Pearson Publishing, and the text is due to the publisher by Sept. 15, 2004.
"This text will emphasize the importance of the liberal arts education for the future of the public relations practitioner," said Dr. James Perkins, professor of English and chair of the Department of English and Public Relations. "Since public relations professionals never know what problems or opportunities they will encounter, nothing can ever be considered useless in their educational preparation. The breadth of the liberal arts education is the best foundation for a career in public relations."
In addition to Perkins, the authors of the book include: Dr. Deborah Mitchell, assistant professor of English and public relations; Delores Natale, visiting lecturer of public relations; Suzanne Prestien, instructor of English and public relations; and James Raykie, a part-time journalism instructor.
The authors have varied backgrounds and experiences with public relations. Mitchell, in addition to her studies in film, worked for a number of years in broadcasting and public relations. Natale, who is a Westminster graduate, brings 30 years of experience in both profit and non-profit public relations. Perkins, in addition to his 30 years at Westminster, has run a public relations and advertising firm for 15 years. Prestein, who is finishing a Ph.D. in film studies, has worked in public relations for an art museum. Finally, Raykie, an adjunct professor at Westminster, spends the rest of his day as the chief executive editor, The Herald, a 25,000-circulation daily newspaper in Sharon.
"Experience in the practical application of public relations coupled with the academic research each public relations faculty member brings to this project will result in a focused text with true educational value," said Natale.
"We want our text to go beyond the cocktail party chatter about the profession, anecdotes and tidbits that amuse students, but don't teach students about the reality of public relations," said Perkins. "Our text will concentrate on the reality of public relations, on identification of threats or opportunities, on research, on case studies, on strategy, on tactics, and on evaluation."
For more information, contact Perkins at (724) 946-7347 or e-mail jperkins@westminster.edu.
