GVSU senior named PRWeek Student of the Year

A Grand Valley advertising and public relations senior surpassed more than 100 students across the U.S. to be named PRWeek’s 2015 Student of the Year.

Daltyn Little, CEO of Grand Valley’s student-run public relations firm GrandPR, was challenged to develop an advertising campaign for the Toyota Mirai, a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle. Little’s round one submission consisted of a five-page campaign plan, two pages of supporting materials and an educational video explaining fuel cell technology. Once in the top five, Little had to pitch her campaign to PRWeek news editor Frank Washkuch and submit an additional 100-word essay.

Little was awarded the first place honor at the annual PRWeek Award Ceremony in New York City March 19.

“Nervous is an understatement of what I’ve been feeling over the past three months as I progressed through each round of the competition,” Little said. “The additional opportunity to attend the PRWeek industry awards in NYC was phenomenal, and the people I met were some of the most talented and respected professionals in the public relations, advertising and communications world.”

To help Little achieve the award, a team of current students and alumni of Grand Valley’s School of Communications was assembled. Among them was Adrienne Wallace, visiting professor of advertising and public relations, who aided Little in planning and strategy.

“My reaction can be summarized in the first email I sent to Daltyn when she asked for my help: ‘I’d love to help you Daltyn, but only if you commit to winning it.’ And she did,” Wallace said. “It goes to show you that even in a world packed with talent, the GVSU liberal arts emphasis helps create balanced thinkers in logic, passion and creativity.”

For more information about the PRWeek Student of the Year competition, visit awards.prweekus.com/student.