Division 31 Newsletter Managing Editor Diane Slaughter, CAE, APR, fellow PRSA (Public Relations Society of America) was one of four people inducted into the newly formed West Virginia Public Relations Hall of Fame during a ceremony November 16, 2021 at West Virginia University.
“Members of our hall of fame represent the best of our profession through their career excellence, mentoring of others and community involvement demonstrated over decades,” said Jennifer Goddard, APR, president of the PRSA West Virginia Chapter. “They are the best of the best.”
Slaughter formed Homestead Communications in 1993, one of the state’s first independent, female-owned firms. Also a champion of public relations (PR) students, she is professional adviser of the West Virginia State University student society. She is also a fellow, elected in 2006.
During her introduction, Aly Goodwin Gregg highlighted some of Slaughter’s many achievements, including:
- From volunteer to executive director, and countless jobs and roles in between, Diane transitioned in the Public Relations Society of America-West Virginia Chapter from volunteer to "chief volunteller."
- What began as an idea in 1979, grew to a vibrant network of professionals throughout the Mountain State. This was all done simultaneously as Diane grew her own personal practice.
- During her tenure as executive director, Diane mentored numerous chapter members and supported the next generation of practitioners through mentoring Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) chapters throughout the state.
- Diane’s role and contributions are significant throughout West Virginia and especially in the metro Charleston valley. If you are on the campus of West Virginia State University, you might happen upon the Diane Slaughter Public Relations Research Laboratory. A former adjunct professor at West Virginia State, Diane remains an active mentor for the PR field of study, embracing her role to bring new talent into this critical field.
- Diane is an Accredited Public Relations professional and has been for more than 32 years, and a fellow in the Public Relations Society of America College of Fellows for 15 years. Diane has been recognized on numerous occasions as a role model because of her exceptional contributions to the advancement of public relations.
- With her many shelves teaming with more than 30 national, regional, and state awards, there is no question of Diane’s lasting impact on this field.
But recognitions and honors are nothing new. She is also a Certified Association Executive (CAE), a former practitioner of the year, and has been recognized as outstanding executive director of the year by the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons for her work with the West Virginia chapter.
In 2019, as Diane handed off the reigns for the PRSA West Virginia chapter and the chapter celebrated its 40th anniversary, she was recognized by unanimous vote of the board of directors as the West Virginia chapter’s director emeritus in honor of her outstanding contributions and impact.
At the time, to honor Diane’s years of service to the PRSA organization, she was presented with the Founder’s Plate, given to our founders at the time of our chapter’s establishment. Since that time, the plate had been passed from president to president, but it was fitting as the 40th anniversary was marked to give that important artifact to Diane.
*The full article can be read within the 2021 Fall issue of the WV Orthopaedic Society newsletteropens in new window.