Tracy Teuscher Receives Public Relations Excellence Award

Tracy Teuscher, APR has been selected by the Akron Area PRSA chapter to receive the 2020 Tom Duke Public Relations Excellence Award.

Received in January 2021, the award recognizes and commemorates the achievements of a public relations professional that has demonstrated outstanding contributions to the profession through professional excellence, accomplished community involvement and skillful leadership.  

Teuscher’s 20-year public relations career is highlighted by conscious leadership during 2020, including ongoing efforts to help organizations from Cleveland to Columbus communicate thoughtfully, transparently and ethically, while updating policies and procedures throughout the COVID-19 crisis. These efforts included new need-based response plans, and the development of a free Responsible Restart Communications Guide.

During her tenure as an Akron Area PRSA board member, Teuscher spearheaded an award-winning sponsorship program, and a related scholarship fund and mentoring program. Her work with Ohio universities, entrepreneurial  centers, and business incubators throughout the Ohio region as a guest educator has helped fellow PR pros, small businesses and nonprofits prosper.

Her history of volunteerism for nonprofit organizations and social enterprises is extensive, including a 2020 fundraising and awareness campaign to help save bees and fund community conservation programs.

Tom Duke, APR, Fellow PRSA who passed away in 2017 at the age of 84, was the founding president of the Akron Area PRSA chapter whose lifetime of service was reflected in numerous awards of recognition like the Distinguished Public Relations Practitioner Award, the Cleveland PRSA Lighthouse Award, and the PRSA East Central District Platinum Award and Lifetime Achievement Award.