By BRANDON MACDONALD
Staff Writer

The successful tradition of Niagara College's Public Relations Graduate Certificate program did not miss a beat this year, as Katie Farr, of North Pelham, received the Student Award of Excellence on April 21.

Katie Farr (left) is presented the Student Award of Excellence by Liliana Busnello, president of the Canadian Public Relations Society - Hamilton Branch

Farr, 22, who completed a three-year Broadcasting - Radio, Television and Film (BRTF) program, decided that the public relations program would create more job opportunities.

"It is so tough to find a job in broadcasting. Everything is changing in the industry," says Farr. "I wanted to stay here for a couple more years, and people kept suggesting that I take the PR program. I bumped into students that had taken it and they suggested it was very good, so I applied."

Farr is now completing her public relations internship at the Alzheimer Society, a non-profit organization. While Farr was in the BRTF program, she filmed a documentary on the organization and instantly felt a connection. When it was time to decide where to do her internship, she chose that same organization.

"I did a documentary and chose to do it there to learn more about them and learn what a family goes through when someone has Alzheimer's disease."

Working with the organization has opened her eyes to the world of non-profit organizations.

"It made me realize that they need the help. It is hard to be everywhere at once, and in non-profit you never have as many staff as you would like. There is a lot of teamwork. It is rewarding to know you'er working to help people in the community."

The success of Farr is not surprising to those that she has worked close with. Her work ethic, leadership skills and raw talent are some reasons that have separated Farr from the pack.

"Her initiative [makes her stand out]," says Gina Delle Rose - Ash, development officer for the Alzheimer Society. "She thinks of things without having be told. She will look at what we have and come up with ideas to improve it. Not a lot of students do this without being told."

"Katie brought to the PR program a solid work ethic, a mature and professional attitude and an ease in building relationships with others," says Nancy Geddie, Professor and Coordinator of the Public Relations program. "Those attributes, coupled with her understanding of newsworthiness and her ability to tell a good story made her a standout student. Will she succeed in the PR profession? You can bet on it."

Going back to her high school days, Farr has volunteered at Cogeco and credits the staff for some of her qualities.

"My Cogeco mentors give me the courage and confidence," says Farr. "They have given me a lot of good advice and leadership. Also, my mom is always pushing me and is very supportive, always pushing me to do the best I can.

"Mrs. Geddie is my mentor from the program. She was very supportive and gave great advice [and was] always there to answer my questions"

The future is still uncertain for Farr. She is keeping her eyes open for job opportunities and would like to remain in the Niagara Region, preferably working for a non-profit organization.

She is not lacking for experience, as she has volunteered at Cogeco for five years and also did her BRTF co-op at Astral media, where she had the chance to be on four radio stations.

She also has the credentials after winning the Niagara North Youth Pelham award for her volunteer work at Cogeco. Farr has also won the G.R.A.F.I.T.I. award for her documentary the year she graduated from the BRTF program.

The sky is the limit for this bright, young go-getter. Farr already has an ultimate goal in mind and is keeping an eye open for any openings.

"My dream job would be to work at the Tim Hortons head office in Oakville. It is the No. 1 brand in Canada."

Farr is just one of many success stories coming from the public relations graduate certificate program. It has seen seven previous winners take home the CPRS Student Award of Excellence: Elise Auger, 2009; Andrea Laciok, 2008; Janine Westera, 2006; Jumoke Isekeiji, 2004; David Holmes, 2003; Colleen Lowe, 2002; and Alan Cimprich, 1999. It is a program that has continued to develop and send out young, promising minds to the world of public relations.