Ohio Communications Association

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Nancy M. Somerick is being honored by The University of Akron with the title of Professor Emeritus, Communication upon her retirement from the UA School of Communication. She created the public relations major when she joined UA. Her recent accomplishments include:
- Winning the prestigious 2009 Distinguished Teacher Award from the Ohio Communication Association.
- Winning the 2009 Mortar Board National College Senior Honor Society Pioneer Award from The University of Akron Pierian Chapter. This award stated that it was given “in recognition for exceptional leadership, scholarship and service in the advancement of women at The University of Akron.”
- Winning the Outstanding Co-Curricular Advisor Award in 2009 from The University of Akron for her role as founder and advisor of The UA Chapter of PRSSA, which won the Ohio Communication Association’s Distinguished Student Organization Award in 2008.
- Being inducted into the 2009 Barberton City School’s Academic Hall of Fame, which according to the award “was founded to honor individuals who have brought great pride to the City of Barberton through their academic achievements and career successes...”
- Authoring an article entitled “Survival Strategies for Practitioners Who Want to Teach Public Relations Courses” published in Public Relations Quarterly in 2009.
- Helping to establish and continue the success of the Heart of Gold Humane Fund to help low-income families in her community who need financial assistance to obtain spaying and neutering services for their pets. [December 2009]

Michelle (Burch) Coleman was promoted to Associate Professor at Clark State Community College. [November 2008]

Send your news to Jeffrey Tyus (jltyus@ysu.edu)