Esteemed Wayne State University alumnus Ofield Dukes (’58) will be honored Wednesday, April 18, 2007 at St. Andrew’s Hall on the Wayne State University campus. The James S. Measell chapter (WSU) of the Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) will honor Dukes at its Fifth Annual Alumni and Student Recognition Luncheon. “Ofield has made many contributions to the fields of public relations, journalism and education. We’re honored to have such a visible and reputable professional as our alumni recipient this year,” said Dr. Shelly Najor, PRSSA faculty advisor at WSU.

Dukes graduated in 1958 with a degree in journalism and went on to write for the Michigan Chronicle. In 1964 he relocated to Washington D.C. where he was offered and accepted a position as Deputy Director of Information for the President\'s Committee on Equal Employment Opportunity in the Johnson-Humphrey administration. From 1966-1968, Dukes served as an appointed member of then Vice President Hubert Humphrey’s staff. He is a decorated veteran of the PR industry and arguably one of the most accomplished public relations practitioners in the United States. Dukes holds some of the industry’s highest honors including the 2001 PRSA Gold Anvil Award, the 1975 PRSA Silver Anvil Award and was inducted into the PRSA College of Fellows at the 2001 International Conference.

In past years, the chapter recognized local PR alumni Jim Bianchi of Bianchi Public Relations, Lisa Valle-Smith of Airfoil Public Relations, Michael Layne of Marx Layne Public Relations and most recently, Ken Kettenbeil, Vice President of Communications for the Super Bowl XL Host Committee. The luncheon also recognizes deserving public relations students with scholarships and chapter activity awards.

For reservations to the luncheon, please call (313) 577-0300 or e-mail ses@lists.wayne.edu.  

Contact: Dr. Shelly Najor, PhD 
Voice: (313) 577.1556
Email: m.a.najor@wayne.edu