Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC, Presents $10,000 to UT’s Public Relations Academic Program

10/23/2012

Maryville, Tenn. – With the company’s 10-year anniversary approaching in March 2013, public relations firm Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC, announced today a $10,000 gift to the University of Tennessee’s College of Communication & Information’s public relations program, in memory of the late Sammie Lynn Puett, APR, Fellow PRSA.

The gift, presented at UT’s biennial “PR Day” professional event in Knoxville, Tenn., will fund several public relations student scholarships as well as national conference attendance by the program’s students and faculty, including UT student involvement in the Sammie Lynn Puett Chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA).

“It gives our entire team tremendous pride to present this gift to the University of Tennessee’s public relations program and to its PRSSA chapter, which is named for a lady who served as a key role model and mentor to me while I was a UT student 20 years ago,” said agency Principal Mary Beth West, APR. 

“Sammie Lynn Puett embodied the very best values and qualities that the public relations profession offers organizations, communities and our society,” West said.  “Apart from being an expert communicator – one with great substance, style and panache – Sammie Lynn stood as a true leader whose judgment, expertise and commitment set the standard for our profession in East Tennessee and beyond.”

Puett, who passed away in October 2001, served in the UT administration and was vice president for public service, continuing education, and university relations upon her retirement in 2000.  Previously, she served in Tennessee Gov. Lamar Alexander’s cabinet.  Puett was also a charter member of Knoxville’s Volunteer Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). 

Established in 2003, Mary Beth West Consulting, LLC, is a full-service public relations and marketing communications firm, helping companies and organizations build effective communications, relationships and reputations for business results.  www.marybethwest.com