Meet the 2019 Richmond Public Relations Foundation Scholarship Recipients

Every year, the Richmond Public Relations Foundation has the opportunity to award three deserving college students who are planning to pursue careers in public relations with $1,500 scholarships.

We awarded the 2019 scholarships during our November luncheon. Would you like to meet the students?

From left to right: Joshua Briere, Taylor Burress and Heather Pruim

David P. Hurdle Memorial Scholarship: Joshua Briere

Joshua Briere is majoring in public relations and is pursuing a minor in entrepreneurship at Virginia Commonwealth University. He recently completed an internship at Padilla and is active PRSSA member. In his essay Josh says, “Communication is everything. It drives people to act. It can build bridges where there were once deep divides. I want to work in public relations because it is vital to building a better world.”

William Dietrick Memorial Scholarship: Taylor Burress

Taylor Burress is a public relations student at Virginia Commonwealth University and is graduating this semester. She has completed an impressive five public relations internships while pursuing her degree. In her essay, Taylor writes, “Good public relations can help a company engage consumers, the community, shareholders and help raise awareness to important issues. In a career where you can do so much, it feels as though the opportunities are endless if you work hard and look for them.

Daphne Lowell Dailey Memorial Scholarship: Heather Pruim.

Heather Pruim is studying public relations with a minor in sports communications at James Madison University. She currently serves as the Firm Director at Bluestone Communications, JMU’s student-run PR firm, where she helps oversee all account teams, client work and recruitment efforts for the agency. In addition to her PR studies, Heather serves as a volunteer firefighter and is a beekeeper. She says in her essay, “I want to work in public relations because of my passion for storytelling.”

Congratulations to our 2019 scholarship winners!

Would you like to support our 2020 scholarship winners? Please consider giving to the Foundation. All donations are tax deductible and go to support the Foundation’s scholarship and APR assistance programs.

For every $25 donation you give before December 3, you’ll be entered to win a two-night stay at Orchard House Bed & Breakfast and a tasting a Virginia Distillery Company in Lovingston, Virginia, right outside of Charlottesville. Give today