John Stephen<\/p>\n
Communications Specialist<\/p>\n
Jan. 29, 2018<\/p>\n
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Healing Orlando: Crisis and Compassion at VSU March 2<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n VALDOSTA \u2014<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The experience of serving the community and the media in the aftermath of the 2016 mass shooting in Orlando\u2019s Pulse Night Club will be shared by three public relations professionals during the Annual Patterson Public Relations Student Scholarship fundraiser luncheon at Valdosta State University March 2.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The event features Heather Fagan, deputy chief of staff for Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer; Kena Lewis, director of public affairs and media relations for Orlando Health, a network of hospitals in the Orlando area; and Sara R. Brady, chief executive officer and president of Sara Brady Public Relations Inc. and public relations consultant for Pulse nightclub.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n They will discuss not only the best practices they learned about accommodating a flood of national and international media crews but also about calming a community in shock and helping them to grieve and heal during the following months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cIt is a powerful story of patience, compassion, and professional expertise,\u201d said Dr. Shirley Serini, associate professor of public relations at VSU, who first heard the presentation at a national conference. \u201cIt is not only an award-winning crisis case study, but an extraordinary opportunity for our students and our community to experience first-hand a story of this magnitude.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It is also a service learning opportunity for the members of the VSU Public Relations Student Society of America who are coordinating the event. \u201cWe believe in the importance of hands-on experience in the Department of Communication Arts,\u201d Serini said. \u201cOur public relations students are learning first-hand how to plan, implement, and publicize special events. It was also an opportunity for them to work in partnership with the South Georgia Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America to do so.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The program and the luncheon catered by Covingtons will be held at the University Center Magnolia Room from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, March 2. Tickets are $35 and the proceeds go to the scholarship fund. Seating is limited. For reservations visit https:\/\/community.valdostastate.org\/public-relations-celebration<\/a> by the Thursday, Feb. 22 deadline. Reservations are non-refundable. For more information contact Shirley Serini, saserini@valdosta.edu<\/a>, (229)333-5831.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The VSU Public Relations Student Society of America is one of a network of more than 300 chapters nationwide for students who are interested in careers in communication and public relations. The Public Relations Program at VSU is nationally certified by the Public Relations Society of America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n -30-<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n , in the. This workshop will examine the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, from a public relations perspective,<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Crisis to Hope: Healing Orlando will feature<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The three public relations professionals will share best practices for dealing with a high-profile tragedy based on their experiences in the aftermath of the June 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, which left 49 people dead and more than 50 injured. It is the second deadliest mass shooting in modern United States history. After the shooting, Fagan, Lewis, and Brady were tasked with accommodating national and international media crews, calming Orlando residents amidst widespread shock and sadness, and helping the city heal in the following months.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis is a case study about how a tragic crisis was handled,\u201d \u201cA crisis is inevitable in business; being prepared is a part of the standard planning procedure for most organizations.\u00a0Look at where similar shootings have taken place \u2014\u00a0churches, schools, marathons, public gatherings, etc. Crisis knows no boundaries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cThis event will be of interest to public relations and communication professionals as well as business leaders, managers, and administrators. It is also of importance for\u00a0students who are\u00a0interested in a career in\u00a0communication, journalism, or public relations.\u00a0To have a presentation of this magnitude is a privilege.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n A catered lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The panel presentation, along with a question-and-answer session, will take place from 12:30 to 2 p.m.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The cost to attend From Crisis to Hope: Healing Orlando is $35. Students may attend at a reduced rate of $12.50 with valid school indentification. All proceeds will benefit the VSU Patterson Public Relations Student Travel Scholarship, which helps public relations students attend national conferences.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n The University Center is located on the corner of Brookwood Drive and Patterson Street. The Magnolia Room is closest to the Brookwood Drive entrance. Parking will be available in the University Center parking lot, with overflow parking across Patterson Street.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n From Crisis to Hope: Healing Orlando is hosted by the VSU Public Relations Program,<\/p>\n the VSU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America, and the South Georgia chapter of the Public Relations Society of America.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n