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For a media campaign promoting the story of Elizabeth Bonker ’22, a social innovation major affected by nonspeaking autism, Rollins’ Office of Communications & External Relations has won a Radiance Award from the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA). The awards celebrate outstanding strategic public relations efforts by Florida practitioners and organizations as well as recognize PR campaigns and tactics that demonstrate excellence in research, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

While delivering her commencement speech using a computer-generated voice, Bonker—one of Rollins’ 2022 valedictorians—urged fellow graduates to use their voices, serve others, and see the value in everyone they meet. The external communications team pitched Bonker’s story to national media outlets—not only her valedictory speech, but also her many standout accomplishments while at Rollins—and it went viral to a worldwide audience. Through the College’s award-winning PR campaign, Bonker’s speech and story had a far-reaching impact and inspired people across the globe to be the light through service to others.

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