PRSA Cincinnati chapter honors President Votruba

News from NKU...

For immediate release...
Tuesday - July 17, 2012


HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. - The Cincinnati Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America honored Northern Kentucky University President James C. Votruba with its annual Presidents Award on Tuesday during a luncheon at NKU's Griffin Hall.

The award honors those who use public relations toward achieving a significant improvement in the quality of life in Greater Cincinnati.

Votruba has served as NKU's president since 1997 and will retire at the end of July. During his tenure, the university has experienced unprecedented growth in enrollment, campus facilities and reputation.

As president of the largest state entity in Northern Kentucky and the second largest higher education institution in Greater Cincinnati, Votruba has worked tirelessly to connect the university to the community in unprecedented ways. "One of the things for which I am most proud during my time here has been the extent to which this institution has become a part of the fabric of our region," Votruba said. "It is said in higher education that an organization's reputation lags reality by about 10 years. Our challenge has been to compress that timeframe so that everyone would be aware of the tremendous things that are happening here."

During Votruba's 15 years leading NKU, student enrollment has climbed 34 percent to nearly 16,000. The university has added 19 bachelor's degree programs, 42 master's or graduate certificate programs and two professional doctoral programs during his presidency. NKU also opened the Dorothy Westerman Herrmann Natural Science Center, a Student Union, The Bank of Kentucky Center and the Griffin Hall informatics center under Dr. Votruba.

NKU's creation of or participation in programs such as its Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement, Mayerson Student Philanthropy Program, Northern Kentucky Forum, Center for Applied Informatics, Center for Applied Ecology and Kentucky Center for Mathematics, has helped the university emerge as a national model in community engagement.

Prior PRSA Presidents Award recipients include:
- Tom Cody, Tireless Community Volunteer and Civic Leader (2011)
- Kathy Wade, International Entertainer/Producer and Community Bridge-Builder(2010)
- Eric Kunzel, Cincinnati Pops Maestro and international conductor (2009)
- Dan Hurley, WKRC-TV reporter and Cincinnati historian (2008)
- Cathryn Hilker, Founder & Director, Cincinnati Zoo Cat Ambassador Program (2007)
- Ross Love, Entrepreneur and Community Volunteer (2006)
- Ed Rigaud, Founding Exec. Director, National Underground Railroad Freedom Center (2005)
- Jean-Robert de Cavel, Chef de Cuisine and Restaurateur (2004)
- Nick and Nina Clooney, Greater Cincinnati celebrity couple (2003)
- Ed Stern, Producing Artistic Director, Playhouse in the Park (2002)
- Sheila Adams, President & CEO, Urban League (2001)
- Dr. Leon Boothe, President Emeritus, Northern Kentucky University (2000)
- Sister Jean Patrice Harrington, S.C., former President, College of Mount St. Joseph (1999)
- Charles Mechem, retired Chairman, Cincinnati Bell (1998)
- David Phillips, CEO, Downtown Cincinnati, Inc. (1997)
- Bobbie Sterne, former Mayor of Cincinnati (1996)
- Dr. Lawrence Hawkins, Chairman of Omni-Man and retired educator (1995)
- Clement Buenger, retired Chairman, Fifth Third Bancorp (1994)
- Charlene Ventura, Executive Director, Cincinnati YWCA (1993)
- George Rieveschl, Ph.D., retired chemist and long-time philanthropist (1991)
- Paul Flory, Director, Thriftway ATP Tournament (1990)
- Stephen Gibbs, Director, Cincinnati Free Store (1989)

The Public Relations Society of America, based in New York City, is the world's largest organization for public relations professionals helping to advance the profession and the professional. Its nearly 20,000 members, organized into 116 chapters nationwide represent business and industry, counseling firms, independent practitioners, military, government, associations, hospitals, schools, professional services firms and nonprofit organizations. For info about the national PRSA, please visit http://www.prsa.org.

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