������ý

Pictured: Augustana PRSSA members Annika Jacoby, Grace Douglas, Rachel Copper, Mallory Zeinstra, Arden Koenecke, Anna Rose, Ruby Evans and Bree LeBrun pose for a Classics Awards celebratory photo. Not pictured: Callin Naddy, Isabelle Thorson, Jazmne Thanpaeng and Liz Fossum. 

The university is proud to announce that  students took first place in two categories at the annual , held virtually on Thursday, April 29. 

“Seeing students succeed is the most rewarding aspect of my role,” according to , professor of communication studies and PRSSA faculty advisor. 

“To see AU students win again and again at the annual premier awards event for Minnesota PRSA reinvigorates my teaching and makes me proud to know they are gaining valuable and significant experiential learning,” said Nitz. 

The “classics” provide an opportunity for students and professionals from South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota and Wisconsin to submit their work for judging by industry professionals for finalist and first place selection. Augustana PRSSA began participating in the classics in 2006, and have been award recipients each year they have entered the competition — earning more than 20 awards in the last decade.

Congratulations to Augustana’s 2021 Minnesota PRSA Classics Awards winners:

• PR Campaigns: “Branching Out With Our Growth Project,” by Bree LeBrun ‘21, Ruby Evans ‘21, Anna Rose ‘21, Rachel Copper ‘22, Isabelle Thorson ‘22, Annika Jacoby ‘22, Jazmne Thanpaeng ‘22 and Liz Fossum ‘23.

• Digital Projects: “SDWearsMasks,” by Arden Koenecke ‘21, Mallory Zeinstra ‘21, Grace Douglas ‘21, Anna Rose and Callin Naddy ‘21.


Callin Naddy’s “STEEPED” placed as a finalist in the Personal Branding/Portfolio category, and Grace Douglas was awarded the  for excellence in communication. Augustana alumna Leah Blom ‘19 received the scholarship last year. 

PRSSA students have had the opportunity to learn from a local professional advisor — Jeff Hansen with SculptureWalk Sioux Falls — gaining hands-on experience by working on real client accounts. Students are also connected with alumni for networking and outreach opportunities in the Twin Cities area. 

“Several alumni participated in Virtual Connections, a speaking series with workshops that we had this spring,” said Nitz. “We have alums working for the Minnesota Wild hockey team and Target Corporation, and here in Sioux Falls, at Lawrence & Schiller, Sanford Health and the Denny Sanford PREMIER Center.”

To learn more about Augustana’s communications department, visit .