2008 Calendar of Events

Thursday, September 25, 2008
Location: Bloomington/Normal
We will hear PRSA Chair and CEO-elect Michael Cherenson talk about reputation management.

Who is Michael G. Cherenson, APR, President, Success Communications?
A 16-year industry veteran and the author of three studies on the impact of reputation, Cherenson is Accredited in Public Relations (APR) by the Universal Accreditation Board and Public Relations Society of America. His expertise extends to all disciplines of public relations including corporate, marketing, internal and crisis communication, government relations, event management and interactive public relations.

At Success Communications, he serves as chief public relations counselor and strategist and oversees all public relations activities for the firms' diverse clientele.

In 2003 Cherenson was elected to a three-year term on the national Board of Directors of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA), the world's largest professional organization for PR professionals, with more than 20,000 members. Cherenson also serves as chair of the PRSA Advocacy Advisory Board, and liaison to the Public Relations Student’s Board of Professional Ethics and Standards.

During his tenure on the Board of Directors, Cherenson co-authored a PRSA study on MBA Programs and their communication curricula. In 2005, Cherenson represented PRSA and the U.S. State Department and its Bureau of International Information Programs on a mission to Croatia where he served as a keynote speaker at the 6th Annual Croatian Public Relations Association Conference.

A member of The Fairleigh Dickinson University Corporate and Organizational Communication Board of Corporate Advisors and the Gibbs College Advisory Board, he is a past President of the NJ Chapter of the PRSA, where he was honored with its Service Award in 2002.

The father of three children – ages 9, 7 and 4 – Cherenson is a graduate of Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY and attended the prestigious Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at George Washington University, Washington, DC.



Thursday, December 4, 2008
Location: Springfield
We will hear a representative from the National Bicentennial Commission discuss promotional aspects of President Lincoln’s 200th birthday activities.

What is the National Bicentennial Commission?
Abraham Lincoln defines the civic ideal of what it means to be an American.

But what more is there to learn about our 16th president? What’s left to unearth? What remains relevant about a president born nearly two centuries ago?

In his Gettysburg address, Lincoln reminded what “the brave men, living and dead” did on the battlefield and challenged the living to dedicate themselves “to the unfinished work” of those men.

How much of that work is still not completed?
Surmounting race and assuring equal rights for all are Lincoln’s two major challenges still on the nation’s agenda. As the embodiment of the highest ideals and values of our nation, Abraham Lincoln can still help us meet those challenges.

Through education programs, public forums, and arts projects the Bicentennial provides an opportunity to re-examine what it means to be American in the 21st century.

Two centuries after Lincoln’s birth, the nation is still in formation. The United States has grown and expanded, one cost of that growth has been a splintering of many parts of our society. Competing values, interests, and beliefs, have complicated Lincoln’s goal to find unity in our diversity.

The Bicentennial commemoration of his life and legacy will be a bright beacon to completing our nation’s “unfinished work.”

Mission Statement
The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission (ALBC) commemorates the 200th birthday of Abraham Lincoln, emphasizing the contribution of his thoughts, ideals to America and the world, and serving as a catalyst for strengthening freedom, democracy and equal opportunity for all.

About the Commission
The fifteen members of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission were appointed by the President, the Senate and the House of Representatives following the passage of the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Act in 2000 (Public Law No: 106-173).

This diverse and accomplished group was chosen based on their knowledge and study of President Lincoln and their dedication to educating others about Lincoln and that time in our history. In addition, two of the Commissioners are U.S. Senators and two are from the U.S. House of Representatives who represent states where Lincoln lived, practiced law, and served in the legislature. The Commissioners are focused on informing the public about the impact Abraham Lincoln had on the development of our nation, and finding the best possible ways to honor his accomplishments.