MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
561/297-1168 or kmcgrath@fau.edu
FAU's Lynn Laurenti To Receive Lifetime Achievement Award
BOCA RATON, FL (April 24, 2003) - Considered a pioneer in the South Florida communications industry, Lynn Laurenti, who served as Florida Atlantic University's chief spokesperson from 1990 to 2001, will be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award on Thursday, May 15, by the Atlantic-Florida Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications.
The award is being presented to Laurenti in recognition of her 40-year career in journalism, public relations and public information. Currently, she is a special assistant to FAU President Frank T. Brogan.
"Lynn's long experience as a communicator has made her very effective in her work at the university," Brogan said. "She is an asset to FAU not only as a liaison with the news media, but also as a walking encyclopedia of information about the university."
One of FAU's first graduates, Laurenti received a bachelor of arts degree in English cum laude in 1966, just two years after the public university opened its doors. She also holds a master's degree in journalism and communications from the University of Florida. In 1976, she became FAU's first full-time journalism instructor. A veteran newspaper reporter, Laurenti worked for The Miami Herald, the Sun-Sentinel, the Ocala Star Banner and the Rome Daily American in Rome, Italy, over the course of a decade. In 1980, she became a partner and senior vice president of Bitner, Laurenti & Pierson Public Relations, a public relations firm in Fort Lauderdale that represented a broad spectrum of for-profit and non-profit organizations across South Florida.
Standing out as a once-in-a-lifetime professional experience was her participation in the nationwide publicity campaign for the first and second NBC broadcasts of "Adam," a made-for-TV movie about the Adam Walsh kidnapping that dramatically heightened awareness of the plight of missing and exploited children in the United States.
Laurenti stepped into the role of FAU media relations director and university spokesperson in 1990 and was later named associate vice president for university advancement.
In addition to her professional responsibilities, Laurenti has lent her communications expertise and giving spirit to many worthwhile causes in South Florida. She carried out pro bono publicity campaigns to aid children and adults in need of organ transplants, including Fort Lauderdale resident Trine Engebretsen, whose case attracted national attention and ultimately led to a successful liver transplant.
Laurenti is president of the Broward-based LifeGift Foundation, an organization founded by Trine's mother, Mary Ann Lunde, who continues to work tirelessly to bring the gift of life to people of all ages who need organ transplants. Laurenti has also worked with the Fort Lauderdale Housing Authority, the Ann Storck Center for children with multiple disabilities, the Vinnette Carroll Repertory Company and the Adam Walsh Child Resource Center.
"I am a better professional because I am involved in the community, and I am better able to give back to the community because of continued professional growth," she says.
The Atlantic-Florida Chapter of the Association for Women in Communications "Woman of the Year" dinner will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 15, the Design Center of the Americas, 1855 Griffin Road, Dania Beach. For more information or to attend, email sbarton@piersongrant.com or call 954-698-5450.
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