Kristan Kohley, junior public relations major at Westminster College, was recently awarded the Renaissance Student Scholarship Award from the Pittsburgh chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).

This is the fifth time in the last six years that a Westminster student has won the award. Kohley joins Megan Sigler, a 2005 graduate from Cranberry Township; Megan Duda Corbin, a 2001 graduate from Erie; Amanda Kengersky, a 2002 graduate from Punxsutawney;  and Sara Ialongo, a 2003 graduate from Ellwood City, who was also recognized as the Renaissance Rising Star Award winner at this year's banquet.

"To be recognized among so many talented professionals was a great honor for me," Kohley said.  "I was proud to carry on the tradition of excellence in Westminster's public relations program.  The great work that was featured at the Renaissance Awards banquet is a testament to the future of public relations, and I'm very excited to be part of that."

"I was pleased, but not surprised that Kristan won," said Dr. James Perkins, professor of English at Westminster College.  "I think this run of success is a tribute to the solid nature of Westminster's public relations program as much as it is a tribute to the individual students."

"Kristan is one of the most talented public relations students I have worked with since I came to Westminster," said Dr. Suzanne Prestien, assistant professor of English and public relations.  "We all expect her to continue excelling in the field."

"Kristan personifies a teacher's dream: intelligent, diligent, and open.  And she writes like a dream, too," said Evann Garrison, an instructor of English who introduced Kristan when she received her award.  "She produces work for class of such superb quality that one assignment has been published by Columbia University's Graduate School of Strategic Communication.  Westminster is privileged to claim her as one of its own."

Kohley is a daughter of Philip and Melanie Kohley, Saxonburg, and a graduate of Knoch High School.   While at Westminster, Kohley served as the director for the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA); president of Lambda Pi Eta, a national honor communication society; a teaching assistant in English and Public Relations Department; student director for the Westminster College Learning Center; member of the Omicron Delta Kappa, a national honor leadership society; copy editor for "The Holcad," Westminster's student newspaper; appears in the "Who's Who Among College Students in American Universities and College; a Vance Distinguished Scholar; and appears consistently on the Westminster College Dean's List with a perfect 4.0 point average.

The Renaissance Student Scholarship Award recognizes the outstanding Western Pennsylvania undergraduate student in public relations, based on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, letters of endorsement, and essays.

 Contact Kohley at kohleyka@westminster.edu for more information.