Sees the future role of public education as developing ability to connect and derive meaning from various symbols; fostering creativity; teaching students to choose wisely; and promoting computer literacy. Discusses community issues affecting public education, including health and health care, jobs, neighborhood safety, and school-community…

This survey of 11 presidents of professional education associations and parent organizations in Mississippi found that all responded positively to the idea of including gifted education workshops and presentations in future conference programs. Strategies for working with organizations and associations interested in gaining information on the…

A number of colleges and universities with widely varying sizes and missions have used direct mail techniques to improve fund raising. Methods include use of fund-raising themes, checklists of reasons for donating, gift clubs, and challenge grants. Attention to direct communication, image, and repetition of the message are success factors. (MSE)

Assumptions that graduate alumni are unresponsive to college fund-raising efforts are inaccurate. More often, the institution ignores them. Although graduate students may not feel affinity with a particular class, they can be reached. Some campus development programs have succeeded by building strong affiliations with deans, faculty, alumni, and…

Public relations issues arising from the University of Utah's controversial announcement of research claiming achievement of nuclear fusion at room temperature are discussed. They include problems occurring before and after the initial press conference, secrecy vs. openness, research ethics, and effects lasting past the original incident and…

Discusses the use of the community college president's image (e.g., behavior, dress, and mannerisms) to enhance leadership in times of limited resources and declining enrollments. Describes the qualities of trust, good judgement, and expertise as keys to an image that effectively involves followers and constituents in implementing presidential…

Argues that, through his use of specific language choices, George Bush's Gulf War rhetoric embraced and supported the orientational metaphor of the World War II model, while simultaneously rejecting the Vietnam model. Concludes the use of the World War II model legitimated both the military action and Bush's leadership. (NH)

High-profile athletic programs contribute to the collegiate ideal and are used by many institutions to provide connections to their internal and external constituencies. The magnitude of major athletic events contributes to and in some cases defines institutional image, even serving as a surrogate for the more intimate community-building…

Surveys (by e-mail) people in charge of public-relations sequences in U.S. colleges and universities regarding what computer skills they consider most useful for their students. Notes the roles of program size and breadth, and gender and age of educators. Investigates computer-skills prerequisites, useful computer skills, computer skills…

Uses data from a national survey and from the 1998 National Communication Association Summer Conference, both described elsewhere in this issue, to examine the strengths and weaknesses of public-relations pedagogy; to compare educator and practitioner perceptions of pedagogy; and to offer a set of concerns and recommendations. (SR)

Uses data from a national survey and from the 1998 National Communication Association Summer Conference to examine how achievement is measured among public-relations students. Finds that few academic programs assess learning outcomes and used the results to enhance their students' educational experiences. Suggests that educators place too much…

Explores the status of public-relations practitioners of color, identifies areas of concern for both scholars and professionals, and suggests areas for further investigation. Finds practitioners feel there has been progress toward including minorities in upper-level management positions in the field, yet their experiences reveal that barriers…

College campus "tours" offered online have evolved to include 360-degree views, live video, animation, talking tour guides, interactive maps with photographic links, and detailed information about buildings, departments, and programs. Proponents feel they should enhance, not replace, real tours. The synergy between the virtual tour and…

Presents suggestions for library media center advocacy at the grass roots level. Discusses spring ordering and inclusion of staff, new materials, Internet resources, bookmarks, networking, establishing rapport with students, encouraging return of materials, media center as study area during final exams, graduation, attending Board of Education…

Describes one public library's project of photographing teenagers reading around the library and making the photos into bookmarks with the library logo and a "read" message. Discusses the background, arrangements, photo session, assembly, distribution and publicity, and funding and community response. (AEF)