PRSSA at UTSA Has a New Name!

During the fall 2007 semester the PRSSA Chapter at UTSA will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Throughout those ten years there have been several faculty advisers, however only one continues to stand out because of his dedication to our Chapter. That adviser is Dr. Steven R. Levitt.

Steven R. levitt, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Communication and current Faculty Adviser of the PRSSA Chapter at UTSA came to UTSA in the fall of 1991 to help create a new degree program in Communication. He was the principle author of the degree proposal that was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board for implementation in fall 1994. He then served as Assistant Division Director for the Division of English, Classics, Philosophy, and Communication from 1997 until 2001 when the Communication Department became a separate department. He has served as chair since that time. Since the program began it has grown to over 800 majors with approximately 2/3 being Public Relations majors and added a Master's degree, inaugurated fall 2005.

Dr. Levitt served as adviser when the PRSSA Chapter was chartered in fall 1997 through 1998, during 2004 through 2005 and summer 2006 to the present. In all Dr. Levitt has served as the faculty adviser for half of the Chapter's existence. Dr. Levitt has been very influential in many of the directions that this Chapter has taken over the years, while allowing the executive board to act as a separate entity. During his different years as adviser our Chapter has been recognized by the PRSSA National Committee in several areas which is evident by the many plaques that hang in the Department of Communication office at UTSA. Dr. Levitt has been a true champion of the PRSSA Chapter at UTSA at times even providing opportunities for members through personal scholarships that he has donated.

Because of his dedication, in conjunction with our Chapter's anniversary, our executive board has passed a measure to honor Dr. Levitt by naming our Chapter the PRSSA Steven R. Levitt Chapter. In the fall we will be hosting a formal announcement in the form of a Roast of Dr. Levitt. This event will also act as a fund raising opportunity for the Chapter and we will be inviting members of the PRSA Chapter of San Antonio to participate. Please check back here and watch teh PRSA San Antonio Byline newsletter for upcoming details.