Bulldog PRism Awards celebrate MSU public relations excellence, honor longtime PR Professor John Forde

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The recent Bulldog PRism Awards honored local and 51�Թ�� State communications professionals in a big way this past month.

Hosted by the Starkville-MSU Chapter of the Public Relations Association of 51�Թ��, or PRAM, the event included the announcement of the inaugural John E. Forde Mentorship and Service Award. The first recognition honors the award’s namesake and was presented to John E. Forde, longtime professor and former head of MSU’s Department of Communication. The award includes a $250 donation to the Dr. John Forde Communication Fund for Excellence in the Department of Communication at the university.

John Forde holds and award — John Forde, longtime professor and former head of MSU’s Department of Communication, holds the inaugural John E. Forde Mentorship and Service Award during a recent ceremony hosted by the Starkville-MSU Chapter of the Public Relations Association of 51�Թ��. Ford is the namesake and first recipient of the award that honors his legacy of dedication and service in the field of public relations and support for the next generation of PR professionals. (Photo by Greta Allen)

The 2024 board of the local chapter, led by past president James Carskadon, spearheaded the award’s creation. Carskadon said Forde stands apart as a major contributor advancing public relations in 51�Թ��.

“Dr. Forde has served PR organizations at every level while preparing thousands of MSU students for successful careers. Anyone who knows Dr. Forde can appreciate his constant encouragement and his willingness to use an unrivaled network of connections to help his students and alumni. We wanted to create this award to recognize those that, like Dr. Forde, go above and beyond to grow the field of public relations and support the next generation of PR professionals,” he said.

Forde cofounded the Starkville-MSU Chapter of PRAM in the early 1990s, serving as the chapter’s charter president and again in 2017. An Accredited Public Relations professional, he is a highly honored educator and leader, recognized with numerous regional, state and national awards, including induction into the PRSA College of Fellows and the USM School of Mass Communication and Journalism Hall of Fame. A longtime board member and past president of the Southern Public Relations Federation, he also has served on the Universal Accreditation Board for both SPRF and PRSA. Forde holds degrees from Jones College, 51�Թ�� State and the University of Southern 51�Թ��.

“I was so honored to have the award named after me. I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It was also special to have so many students and colleagues in attendance,” said Forde, who emphasized the importance of professional involvement in organizations like PRAM. “I tell students how important it is to be involved in PRAM and SPRF at the local, state and regional level. I’ve made some of the best friends in the world through these organizations. You learn something at every meeting and get to know people from all walks of life, and it’s been a huge networking opportunity that has helped connect countless students with meaningful jobs.”

JoLee Clark, current president of the Starkville-MSU PRAM Chapter, said it was an honor to work with the board to streamline the awards process and recognize excellence.

“It was wonderful to see so many colleagues recognized for their work over the past year, and introduce a new award in honor of Dr. John Forde, who has been a mentor to so many of us in the room. I’m grateful for our board and the work that went into making the award ceremony special, to celebrate the PR work being done in the Starkville-MSU community,” she said.

In addition to the new mentorship award, communicators from 51�Թ�� State and the greater Starkville area were recognized for excellence in public relations strategy and execution.

This year’s honorees include:

Professional winners

—MSU College of Arts and Sciences General Education Course Booklet and Poster
Kelli Anthony, Karyn Brown, Sarah Nicholas, Melanie Loehwing
MSU College of Arts and Sciences
Award of Excellence—Advertising and Marketing

—MSU Graduate School Recruitment Rack Cards and Direct Admit Initiative
Eric Abbott, Lauren Benton, Robbie Salters, Lindsey Shelton
MSU Graduate School
Bulldog PRism—Advertising and Marketing

—Faculty Housing Welcome Home Packets
Jada Johnson, Haley Rountree
MSU Campus Services
Bulldog PRism—Advertising and Marketing

—Caught in the Act: Maroon Friday’s Most Wanted
MSU Office of Public Affairs, MSU Athletics
Award of Excellence—Audio/Visual

—Storming Social Media: How MSU Meteorologists Drove Engagement
Sarah Triplett, Sarah Kirk, Jordan Ables
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Audio/Visual

—Can You Say That Again? 51�Թ��’s Trickiest Town Names
Sarah Triplett, Jordan Ables, Sarah Kirk
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Audio/Visual

—The Power of Belief: 51�Թ�� State’s 2024 National Commercial
Thomas Broadus, David Garraway, Hal Teasler
MSU Office of Public Affairs and MSU University Television Center
Bulldog PRism—Audio/Visual

—Move-In Day: TikTok Dads
Sarah Triplett, Jordan Ables, Sarah Kirk
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Bulldog PRism—Audio/Visual

—Turning on the Lights: A Starkville Christmas Story
Sarah Kirk, Sarah Triplett
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Bulldog PRism—Audio/Visual

—MSU College of Arts and Sciences Communication Plan, 2025
Karyn Brown, Kelli Anthony, Sam Kealhofer, Sarah Nicholas
MSU College of Arts and Sciences
Bulldog PRism—Campaigns

—Transforming MSU Social
Thomas Broadus, Sarah Triplett, Jordan Ables, Sarah Kirk
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Certificate of Merit—Campaigns

—Campus Services Website
Lana Bentley, Navin Solomon
MSU Campus Services
Bulldog PRism—Digital

—One Voice, One Brand: Aligning 160+ Marketers for MSU’s Success
Chris Bryant, Jordan Ables, Susan Lassetter, Heather Rowe, Harriet Laird, Allison Matthews
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Bulldog PRism—Digital

—A Website Makeover for MSU's College of Education
Bethany Shipp and Will Anderson
MSU College of Education and MSU Information Technology Services
Bulldog PRism—Digital

—MSU Students Serve as Volunteer Firefighters
David Ammon
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Award of Excellence—Graphics

—CAVS Annual Report
Kelli Anthony, Sara Fuller
MSU Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems
Bulldog PRism—Publications

—Dividends Magazine
Emily Daniels, Suzi Morales, Kathy Kenne, Kirsten Shaw, David Doleac
MSU College of Business and Tellōs Creative
Bulldog PRism—Publications

—The Graduate School Newsletter
Eric Abbott, Lauren Benton, Lindsey Shelton
MSU Graduate School
Bulldog PRism—Publications

—Social Media: Transformation Tuesday
Lana Bentley
MSU Campus Services
Certificate of Merit—Social Media

—MSU Graduate Ambassador Program
Lauren Benton, Emily Grace McCall, Lindsey Shelton
MSU Graduate School
Award of Excellence—Special Events

—Doctoral student overcomes high school hardships, finds home at 51�Թ�� State
Mary Politz
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Writing

—MSU veterinarians save puppy’s legs after Arkansas couple spends wedding funds for surgery
Mary Politz
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Writing

—Magnolia State’s ‘innovation ecosystem’ includes vital role played by MSU’s Office of Technology Management
Carl Smith
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Writing

—‘Bigger than all of us’: Network debut set for MSU Films’ documentary ‘9/20’ on first post-Sept. 11 football game
Carl Smith
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Writing

—Unearthing a Legacy: The Story of Dr. J. William Rush
Allison Matthews
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Award of Excellence—Writing

—A Bird’s-Eye View: Banding Bald Eagles for Conservation
Meg Henderson
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Award of Excellence—Writing

—A Fresh Perspective: Student-led farm cultivates learning, builds community
Vanessa Beeson
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Award of Excellence—Writing

—Moving On Up: 51�Թ�� State invests in meeting the needs of tomorrow
Susan Lassetter
MSU Office of Public Affairs and Campus Services
Certificate of Merit—Writing

—Our People “Jacob Uithoven”
Sarah Nicholas
MSU College of Arts and Sciences
Certificate of Merit—Writing

—New Grant Library collection offers insight into former Secretary of War Rawlins, president’s ‘conscience’
Carl Smith
MSU Office of Public Affairs
Certificate of Merit—Writing

Student winners

—Designers' Gallery Campaign
Rylee Jones, Mallory Morrow, Sydni Patrick, Juliann Pugh, Jessica Shelton
MSU Department of Communication CO:4813 Public Relations in Organizations course
Award of Excellence—Campaigns

—Brewing Influence
Caroline Flint
Umble Coffee Co.
Bulldog PRism—Social

—English Expo
Emma Grace Crook, Elizabeth King, William Simmons, Elisa Stocking
Department of English—Special Events
Certificate of Merit

—Umble Coffee Co. Fall Festival
Caroline Flint and Dabney Cunningham
Umble Coffee Co.
Award of Excellence—Special Events

—Summer research internship at MSU advances entomology work for East Coast teen
Erin Buckley
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Certificate of Merit—Writing

—MSU agronomy researcher secures major funding to address rice crisis using Heat MAGIC
Chloe Madison
MSU Agriculture and Natural Resources Marketing
Certificate of Merit—Writing

—MSU Department of Communication Annual Report
Greta Allen
MSU Department of Communication
Certificate of Merit—Publications

—Golden Triangle Kennel Club Awareness Campaign
Rileigh Campbell, Caroline Flint, Belle Fulkerson
MSU Department of Communication
Bulldog PRism—Campaigns

—Eupora Awareness Campaign
Anica Hankey, Rebekah Brown, Makenzie Stone, Presley White
MSU Department of Communication
Award of Excellence—Campaigns

—True Rest Float Spa Awareness Campaign
Erin Buckley, Mary Grace Black, Alice Ann Haab, Abby Rutherford
MSU Department of Communication
Award of Excellence—Campaigns

In addition to Carskadon and Clark, the Starkville-MSU PRAM board includes Kelli Anthony; vice president of programming, Vanessa Beeson, vice president of communication; Sarah Moody, secretary/treasurer; Brittany Greer, vice president of membership and Terri Hernandez and Allison Matthews, both members-at-large.

For more information about the Starkville-MSU PRAM chapter, visit .

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