With finals around the corner, stress is overflowing amongst the student body and NMU’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) is putting together an event with dodgeballs and donuts to help students cope with that anxiety.
“Dodging Finals Do-Nut Stress” will take place from 7:30 to 11 p.m. on Dec. 6 at the PEIF, next to the Vandament Area. A total of 16 teams consisting of six players each will battle in a tournament for top prizes, where the Intramural Sports coordinator hired knowledgeable referees to regulate each game.
First place includes a $100 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings and six movie theater tickets for the Marquette Cinema. Second place will be awarded with a $50 gift card to Buffalo Wild Wings. Refreshments and donuts from the Huron Mountain Bakery and Econo Foods will be provided. The tournament is a way for people to get together and have fun while supporting a NMU organization, PRSSA President Haley Bussell said in an email.
“This event creates a stress free environment where students can unwind and forget about all the chaos that comes with exam week. They have a chance to get together with their friends, have fun, eat donuts and have a good time,” Bussell said. “Plus, who doesn’t love a good game of dodgeball?”
This event came from some brainstorming by the PRSSA to help raise money for the chapter’s professional development, Bussell said. People can register at nmuprssa.com, and there will be a registration table in Jamrich throughout the week, and the fee will be $8.50 for each player. All of the proceeds will go toward the PRSSA chapter for opportunities and conferences.
PRSSA is an international pre-professional organization that aims to further students careers by broadening their network, enhancing their education and launching their careers. PRSSA tries to be as active as possible throughout the academic year by planning events, campaigns and hosting fundraisers and professional development opportunities. The group also makes student leadership and networking opportunities affordable for students, Bussell said.
“Whether your major is public relations, business, marketing, graphic design or just about anything else, PRSSA is a network of ambitious, intelligent students who are doing more than getting a degree,” Bussell said, adding, “These students are interested in gaining applicable experience and understanding of the public relations and communications profession, which has an increasingly broad scope and is becoming more integrated with other similar industries.”
Last year alone, the organization grew in membership, raised money for a local Marquette family during the holidays, started the Marquette Coffee Crawl, promoted the Women’s Resource Center and volunteered in the summer for community projects. Thriving on hands-on activities, PRSSA is a “society” of more than 10,000 students who work to tailor students needs whether it be an internship, writing for the group’s blog or building a professional public relations portfolio. And students can also gain more public relations knowledge by attending the National Conference, National Assembly, Leadership Rally and Regional Conference. Members also have the opportunity to move up on the ladder like becoming an executive board member, Bussell added.
“You will learn basic skills like building a resume and writing a cover letter, but also about the business benefits of great, ethical communications efforts,” she said.
The group is always looking for new members, and meets at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays in room 311 of the LRC.
As the president, Bussell oversees the executive board, plans and coordinates events and serves as a “resource” for the rest of the group.
The tournament is just another way for members to get involved and give back to the student body, she added.
“I am looking forward to watching the PRSSA members who have been a key role in the planning of this event in action. Watching the members learn the things that go into planning an event has been awesome to see. I am so proud of our members and I look forward to seeing what else we are going to accomplish the rest of the year as a team,” Bussell said.
