Each year, OCPRA members tackle a relevant issue in our Fall Workshop, open to colleagues in all PR related fields and others interested. Co-sponsored by the State Communicator’s Council, our fall workshop provides excellent networking and learning opportunities. Recent fall workshops have examined admissions marketing, social media, web strategies, web accessibility and more.

The highlight of our fall workshop each year is the presentation of our Communicator of the Year Award, launched in 2003. The first honoree was Natalea Watkins, longtime associate vice president for communications at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. So effective was her leadership in both OCPRA and the State Communicators Council that, beginning in 2004, the award was renamed the Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year Award. Nominations are accepted year-round for this award, which is judged and presented each November.

This year, the OCPRA is proud to introduce a new award to be presented at our fall workshop. The Randy Talley Rising Star Award recognizes rising communications, marketing and public relations professionals working at Oklahoma higher education institutions. The award is named in honor of Randy Talley, who served as a role model for numerous students and developing professionals during his tenure as Director of Media and Community Relations for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and his more than 20 years as a member of the Board of Directors of OCPRA.

Fall Workshop 2013
Presented by OCPRA and OSRHE Communicators Council
10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 20 | Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History, University of Oklahoma
Registration: $50 (includes lunch) |

KEYNOTE SPEAKER:
Roger Williams, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations at Penn State and Executive Director of the Penn State Alumni Association, will offer perspective on navigating the crisis surrounding the Jerry Sandusky investigation with alumni and supporters.

AFTERNOON PANEL DISCUSSION:
Representatives from Oklahoma campuses will share recent experiences with crisis communication.

Campus communicators can find themselves responding to a crisis at any moment, stemming from a number of situations. Scandals, investigations, weather-related disasters and more have impacted our colleagues at campuses throughout the nation…and here in Oklahoma. The Oklahoma College Public Relations Association offers the opportunity for communicators to connect on this important facet of our profession, and hear from those who have weathered a campus crisis. Understanding that a crisis impacts the entire campus, as well as alumni, parents and friends, those working in administration, alumni relations, campus security, emergency management and other areas are invited to attend this workshop.

AGENDA:
9 a.m. – Registration opens
Light breakfast items and beverages will be available.

10 a.m. – Welcoming Remarks

10:15-11:45 a.m. – Keynote Presentation: Roger Williams, Associate Vice President for Alumni Relations at Penn State and Executive Director of the Penn State Alumni Association – Williams will share his experience in responding to alumni and supporters in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky investigation.

Noon-1:15 p.m. – Luncheon and Presentation of the Natalea Watkins Communicator of the Year Award and the Randy Talley Rising Star Award

1:30-2:45 p.m. – Panel Discussion and Q&A

2:45-3:00 p.m. – Closing Remarks