Daniel Lang graduated summa cum laude from the University of Nevada, Reno in May with honors as the 2019 Senior Scholar from the Reynolds School of Journalism. He earned the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations in May under the guidance of Alison Gaulden; APR. Lang is the fifth student to achieve CPPR in the three years Gaulden has been faculty advisor.

According to the PRSA website, the CPPR is an entry-level certificate designed to demonstrate a fundamental knowledge for graduates entering the public relations profession and related fields.

“I am grateful for having earned the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, which I feel empowers me by knowing my understanding of public relations principles is nationally recognized,” he said. “With an interest in effective advocacy, I chose to pursue public relations, often promoting outreach through my activities with student clubs and organizations to encourage people to take on opportunities to make a difference.”

A U.S. Department of State Critical Language Scholarship recipient from Xi’an, China, Lang is half Chinese. One of the most competitive scholarships in the U.S., the CLS has an acceptance rate of 10 percent, making Lang an elite scholar.

Lang worked in public relations for the Catholic Diocese of Reno, as an Honors Vance and Betty Lee Stickell Intern through AAF. Though challenged by the Bateman experience and his internship, he applied for and won national John D. Graham and Betsy Plank/PRSSA scholarships.

Lang participated first on the National Student Advertising Competition (NSAC) Team as a junior on PRSSA’s Bateman Competition Team. Through the experience of researching, planning, implementing and evaluating a local campaign a national non-profit, he learned from his colleagues and more than a dozen local professionals.

He attended the PRSSA National Conference, where he met worldwide public relations legends and realized more fully the importance of the profession. He fulfilled his passion to participate on the NSAC Team where he served as research director.

He is a member of Kiwanis, Knights of Columbus, PRSA and the American Advertising Federation, as well as the American Psychological Associations Division 36: Society for the Psychology of Religion and Spirituality.

Although he has, for years, taught public relations for the Kiwanis Service Leadership Program, Circle K International, this spring he experienced an unprecedented opportunity in Taiwan. There, he shared his knowledge of public relations in Chinese language with university students interested to advocate for their community service clubs.

Lang is embarking on a career with the Peace Corps to teach English and feels confident he can effectively teach students the importance of strategically chosen words and phrases in business.

“I am humbled by these opportunities to serve and feel especially grateful to the Reynolds School,” he said. “I hope to carry its professional standards set by my instructors and colleagues throughout my life.”

For more information on the Certificate in Principles of Public Relations, visit http://www.praccreditation.org/apply/certificate/