Ofield Dukes Multicultural Student Award

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The scholarship check will be payable to the winner’s university for use on their behalf, and can only be used to directly fund the winner’s educational pursuits.

This scholarship is made possible by the PRSA Foundation with founding donors Prudential Financial and Weber-Shandwick.

Eligibility:
*Be enrolled in a journalism program, public relations studies or courses preparing for a career in public relations.
*Be entering your junior year of undergraduate studies this fall.
*Have a minimum 3.0 GPA.
*Demonstrate the commitment to service and social responsibility that Ofield Dukes personified
*Should be of African-American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native American, Alaskan Native or Pacific Islander ancestry.

Selection Criteria:
*Academic achievement in public relations and overall studies
*Specific examples of commitment to service and social responsibility (demonstrated by mentoring others or participating in community service activities) OR specific examples of how you have worked to make the world a more equitable place.
*Writing skills as demonstrated throughout the application.
*Letters of recommendation from faculty and non-faculty.
*Awards or honors you have received for academic or extracurricular achievements (can include high school and community awards).

Required Application Materials:
*A completed online scholarship application form.
*A recommendation letter of no more than two pages from a faculty member or adviser.
*At least one and not more than four additional letters of recommendation from internship employers, educators or others who have been directly involved in your relevant activities. Letters may be no more than two pages.
*A one to two- page résumé.

About Ofield Dukes:
The PRSA Foundation created this award in honor of Ofield Dukes who died in 2011 and was an honorary trustee of the Foundation and a widely recognized leader in the public relations profession.

"Ofield Dukes’ career achievements have been widely chronicled, and he’s recognized as one of the giants of our profession," said 2013 PRSA Foundation President Lou Capozzi APR, Fellow PRSA. "Those of us who were privileged to work with him through the years knew him as a champion to literally thousands of students and professionals, who turned to him for counsel and inspiration. His work toward making our profession as diverse as the world we serve was unparalleled."

The scholarship fund was established by a gift from the PRSA Foundation, and founding gifts from Prudential Financial and from Weber Shandwick.

"This scholarship will be a legacy to Ofield, reflecting his values for excellence in the ethical practice of public relations," said Capozzi. "And as an endowed fund, it will carry his name in perpetuity, a fitting tribute to his lifelong commitment to helping others."

Prudential’s chief communications officer and PRSA Foundation Trustee Bob DeFillippo stated: "We are honored to make this pledge to acknowledge the many contributions Ofield Dukes made to our profession. He enriched the lives of so many people, including members of the Prudential Global Communications team."

Weber Shandwick’s CEO Andy Polansky, also a PRSA Foundation trustee, noted that, "Olfield Dukes made a positive and enduring contribution to the public relations profession and helped to make diversity a priority – opening the door to real dialogue, programs and commitment for the industry throughout his lifetime. We are proud to help establish this scholarship fund to honor his legacy and lasting impact on our profession."

Commenting on the scholarship’s creation, Dukes’ daughter, Roxi Victorian, said, "Education and the well-being of young people were so important to my dad, and any way his legacy can live on through his passion for the education of young people is welcomed."

Application Deadline: April 30, 2024