PR Central History

PR Central began in the fall semester of 2000, but the idea of a student-run firm had been on the minds of Central Michigan University 's PRSSA members for a while.

In the spring semester of 2000, Central's PRSSA chapter only numbered about eight or nine people. The chapter was very small because the public relations major was still not offered. While the thought of starting a student-run firm was appealing, we didn't have the manpower yet to handle such a large undertaking. Following the creation of the IPR (Integrative Public Relations) Major, and due to the passion of the few, but mighty, PRSSA members, the group reached about 30 by the fall semester. For the first time, CMU's PRSSA chapter sent six delegates to the National Conference in Chicago …and it was there they planted the seed that became PR Central.

After clearing the idea with the executive board of PRSSA, the founding President, Abby Ault, began work on the firm. Following the model from the handbook provided by PRSSA, she began work obtaining an office space for the firm and recruiting willing members of the PRSSA to become the first executive board of the student-run firm. Those members were: Vice Presidents: Heather Hutchins and Ray Shepard, Secretary and Account Assistant: Anne Veltema, Account Exeuctives: Wendy Doud, Addy Ice, Miesha Krueger, Kate Vickers, and Andrew Wheeler, and Historian: Eric Linguar.

The first few meetings took place in the spring semester of 2001 and were dedicated to setting rules, agreeing on group regulations, duties of each officer, and the name of the firm. After careful consideration, PR Central was born.

From an idea Abby heard at National Conference, the executive board agreed on their first project. “One More Night,” was a discount prom boutique held for the local high school students. Along with the first major fund-raising project, the group began promoting its services to the university's different organizations. Logos, stationary, and a web site were also created during the first semester.

PR Central entered its first National PRSSA competition. However, the group did not place in the competition, but the experience and the efforts put forth were more than enough reward for the members.

By 2003, PR Central had grown to over 30 members. The positions range from consultants, account executives, assistant account executives, and the executive board (president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, historian, and consultant manager). PR Central began an annual Beat the Broncos Battle of the Bands in 2002 and has continued the tradition. The event is before Central/Western weekend and is our main fundraiser.

The firm had its first publicity stunt in March 2004 for the Special Olympics Fun Run/Car Show. A group of nearly 15 took an early morning run and were surrounded by a police car and other cars that would be in the car show. They ran by CFX, a local radio station to encourage them to do free remote for the upcoming event. Everyone was chanting the Special Olympics cheer. The stunt was successful!