Twelve Veteran Communicators Ascend to the CPRS College of Fellows

TORONTO, Dec. 8, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) added 12 practitioners to its College of Fellows this month, including one honorary inductee. The new Fellows and Honorary Fellow will be recognized by their peers at the annual College of Fellows Luncheon at the 2017 CPRS National Conference, Illuminate, in Kelowna, BC, May 28-30.

The 2016 Fellows are:

• Kim Blanchette, APR - Calgary
• Deborah Folka, APR – Vancouver
• Silvie Letendre, ARP – SQPRP
• Rick Mauro, MBA, APR – Hamilton
• Renee McCloskey, APR – Northern Lights
• Sheridan McVean, APR, MBA – Calgary
• Philip Mulder, APR, FEC (Hon.), FGC (Hon.) – Edmonton
• Heather Pullen, APR, MCM – Hamilton
• Sheldon Rose, BPR, APR – Toronto
• Amy Thurlow, Ph.D., APR – Nova Scotia
• Kim Van Bruggen, APR – Vancouver Island

In addition, the College of Fellows granted an Honorary Fellowship to Karen Dalton, APR, CAE, Executive Director of the Canadian Public Relations Society, in recognition of her years of dedication to the Society.

"This year's list of Fellows includes some of Canada's best communicators; all of whom are committed to advancing the profession and the Canadian Public Relations Society," said Daniel Granger, L.LL., MBA, APR, FCPRS, Presiding Officer, CPRS College of Fellows. "The new Fellows have proven themselves to be leaders in the PR community and we look forward to officially welcoming them into the College this May in Kelowna."

Since 2000, the College of Fellows has acknowledged CPRS members who are proven leaders in the public relations and communications profession. With the appointment of this year's Fellows, there are now 126 members in the College of Fellows and 18 Honorary Fellows.

In order to attain Fellowship status with CPRS, a public relations professional must be a member with the Society for at least 10 years, have a minimum of 20 years of experience within the profession, and be accredited in public relations (APR). Successful Fellows have demonstrated a significant contribution to the public relations profession and to the CPRS.

ABOUT CPRS: Founded in 1948, the Canadian Public Relations Society (CPRS) is a not-for-profit organization whose members are engaged in the practice, management or teaching of public relations and communications. Members work to maintain the highest standards and share a uniquely Canadian experience in public relations. CPRS is a federation of over 2,500 members across 14 Member Societies based in major cities or organized province-wide.

SOURCE Canadian Public Relations Society

Image with caption: "Kim Blanchette, APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833572.jpg

Image with caption: "Deborah Folka, APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833574.jpg

Image with caption: "Silvie Letendre ARP, FSCRP (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833580.jpg

Image with caption: "Rick Mauro, MBA, APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833570.jpg

Image with caption: "Renee McCloskey APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833576.jpg

Image with caption: "Sheridan McVean, APR, MBA, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833579.jpg

Image with caption: "Philip Mulder, APR, FEC (Hon.), FGC (Hon.), FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833571.jpg

Image with caption: "Heather Pullen, APR, MCM, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833578.jpg

Image with caption: "Sheldon Rose BPR, APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833575.jpg

Image with caption: "Amy Thurlow Ph.D., APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833581.jpg

Image with caption: "Kim Van Bruggen, APR, FCPRS (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833577.jpg

Image with caption: "Karen Dalton, APR, CAE, FCPRS(H) (CNW Group/Canadian Public Relations Society)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20161207_C3806_PHOTO_EN_833573.jpg

For further information: Media Contact: Dan LaBelle, Specialist, Communications and Events, Canadian Public Relations Society, 416-239-7034, [e-mail]