Jonathan Gregalis, a brother of the New York Epsilon Chapter and current senior at Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, was named runner-up for the 2014 PR Week Student of the Year Award at the PR Week Awards in New York City on March 20. The PR Week Awards are to the public relations industry as the Academy Awards are for film—a major milestone and recognition of achievement for both individuals and public relations agencies. Gregalis, along with winner, Sarah Corder of Liberty University, were selected as finalists for the national award honoring students who are seeking careers in public relations. They were selected from a highly-competitive pool of applicants from across the nation.
Applicants were asked to design a communications and marketing campaign for fictitious airline company, Flight Airlines, using any strategies they saw suitable to help increase enrollment in the airline’s frequent flyer program. Both students utilized social media and digital strategies and Gregalis envisioned and pitched an interactive GPS-based app that would help flyers navigate around new cities and help them connect with other frequent flyers.
Both campaigns were lauded by judges for being professional and innovative—displaying capabilities beyond their years of experience. In particular, the judges noted that “some people have great ideas, others excel at execution. Not everyone can do both, but Jonathan [Gregalis] has that ability.”
Gregalis’s public relations skills have been an asset to the New York Epsilon Chapter since the chapter’s colony days, and he has been instrumental in helping the chapter not only succeed, but thrive, at Syracuse University. Following his honor at the PR Week Awards, Jonathan has been helping the chapter develop a full promotional and digital campaign for the chapter’s upcoming philanthropy—a testament to his unwavering support of the brotherhood regardless of his various accolades.
After graduation in May, Gregalis has his sights set on working for a public relations firm within a consumer or technology practice in either New York City or Boston.
