Centennial student named CPRS Toronto “Student of the Year”

We’re thrilled to announce that Oluwadamilola (Lola) Okunlola, an International Student in the Corporate Communications & Public Relations program at Centennial College has been named “Student of the Year” by the Toronto chapter of the Canadian Public Relations Society.  The leadership award is given out each year to a graduating student from a public relations program in the Greater Toronto area.

Lola received the award at the annual CPRS Toronto ACE Awards gala held on Wednesday, April 27.  She was joined by Program Coordinator Barry Waite and a full contingent of CC&PR students at the gala, which was held at the Arcadian Court in downtown Toronto.  Best of all, Lola’s mother Deborah flew in from Jamaica to see her daughter receive the award.

Originally from Nigeria, Lola arrived in Toronto in August 2010 just before the one year post-graduate program began.  From the very first day of school she demonstrated her desire to learn and participate fully in the program, and to find out as much about public relations in Canada.

What makes Lola such a stand out student is her incredibly positive attitude and willingness to go the extra distance whether it is within a group assignment, to learn as much as she can about Toronto media, help out a fellow student or stay into the evening to put up posters.  She has embraced her studies, and her desire to be the best public relations professional there is.  Plus, Lola hasn’t led borders or cultural differences be a barrier, but rather used them to her benefit to make her mark on the Corporate Communications & Public Relations program here at Centennial College.

That same evening, Centennial CC&PR grad (Class of 2009) Erick Bauer was named CPRS Toronto “Young PR Professional of the Year.”  Erick is a consultant with APEX Public Relations and is also one of the co-founders of the Friends for Life Foundation, which has raised more than $130,000 since 2005 in support of the fight against Cystic Fibrosis and childhood Cancers.

Congratulations to all the winners of this year’s ACE Awards!