News - WVSU PRSSA

C. R. Byrd Chapter Receives Generous Bequest

The C.R. Byrd Chapter of the WVSU Public Relations Society of America was pleased to learn upon their return to school this fall that they had received a $10,000 gift from the estate of Dr. Charlene H. Byrd. Dr. Bryd died last year on March 19th. The Chapter was named for her late husband Dr. Charles R. Byrd at the annual Communication Day Ceremony held April 27, 2007 in the Wilson Student Union. President of the Chapter Sara Price stated that “the funds will assist students of this organization in furthering their education and developing excellence in public relations practice.”

Before her 2nd retirement in 2005 as Director of the WVSU’s National Center for Human Relations (NCHR), Charlene H. Byrd was a former Kanawha County teacher and school administrator. She joined the school system in 1965 and held various positions before retiring for the 1st time in 1998 as the Associate Superintendent for Cultural Diversity and Communications. She also once served as the Assistant Superintendent in charge of Public Information and Staff Development for the school system and was the longtime pronouncer at the county spelling bee. In her role as Director of the NCHR at “State” shepresented an array of noted lecturers and guest speakers who championed the cause of civil and domestic rights and criminal justice.

Dr. Byrd accepted flowers and a plaque at the April Communication Day Ceremony depicting the chapter’s new name: The WVSU C.R. Byrd Chapter of the PRSSA. She said in her speech that day that her husband would have been pleased to have an organization in the communications department honor him in this way. She also stated that media and communication was his “greatest love.” She recalled “Charlie,” having developed the communications program which led to the present television facility and recalled with fondness his having bought the first 16mm projector and overhead projectors. He was also responsible for operating the public address system. Because he was the public address announcer for all football, basketball, and other athletic games and contests, he became affectionately known as the “Voice of the Yellow Jackets.” His technology responsibilities also included showing weekly motion pictures in the “A Building” and playing recorded chimes on Sundays to signal the required attendance of all students at evening chapel services.

Students of the chapter and Dr. Charlene attended the WV Public Relations Society of professionals Award Ceremony and Dinner in 2007 when the C.R. Byrd Chapter won the prestigious “”Crystal” in the area of “Special Events Planning. “ It was a spirited event and she was so pleased with the student’s success,” stated Chapter Advisor Tee Ford-Ahmed. “We will honor both of their legacies as we continue to instill values in tomorrow’s public relations practitioners," Dr. Tee concluded.