Biloxi, Miss.—The Southern Public Relations Federation (SPRF) recently presented its highest honor—the Professional Achievement Award—to Auburn University's Michael Tullier, APR. The award was presented during the Federation's annual conference on Aug. 16 at the Beau Rivage Resort in Biloxi.

Tullier is director of external relations for AU's College of Education. The Pubic Relations Council of Alabama (PRCA) nominated him for the award by naming him its 2004 Philip R. Forrest Jr. Practitioner of the Year. Each of SPRF's four member organizations may nominate one professional for the annual award. Nominees are judged in areas of career achievement, professional activities, continuing education/Accreditation, and community service.

"Michael's public relations peers and those he mentors hold him in the highest esteem," Carol Mann, APR, SPRF president, said. "He maintains the utmost standards in everything he does whether it is his career, community service, interaction with other professionals, or his personal life. This award recognizes Michael's accomplishments as a leader, professional, and selfless volunteer. I expect him to accomplish even greater things for years to come."

He currently serves as PRCA's immediate past president, SPRF's vice president of Accreditation, and a member of the industry's Universal Accreditation Board, which oversees the nationwide program that currently accredits more than 5,000 public relations professionals. He earned the Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) in 2003, a master's of public administration at Auburn in 1998, and a bachelor of arts in mass communication from Louisiana State University in 1994.

A member of PRCA's East Alabama Chapter, Tullier has served in leadership roles at the local, state and regional levels since helping to found the chapter in 1997. He was twice recognized as its Practitioner of the Year for a career that includes public relations service to the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank, LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, and AU's Samuel Ginn College of Engineering. He accepted his current position in AU's College of Education in 2004. He has taught both public relations and public administrations courses at AU as an adjunct instructor and is the professional adviser to PRCA's Auburn University student chapter.

Tullier's professional and volunteer work has garnered awards at the state and regional level in the areas of campaigns, community relations, events promotion, publications, survey research and interactive technology. He currently volunteers in a public relations capacity for the Food Bank of East Alabama, United Way of Lee County, Auburn Rotary Club, and Business by the Book quarterly gatherings. He is an active member of Auburn United Methodist Church.

Other nominees for the SPRF Professional Achievement Award were Carl W. Crawford, APR, of Entergy Nuclear, nominated by the Public Relations Association of Mississippi; and Joseph W. Purka, Jr., retired US Air Force, nominated by the Emerald Coast Public Relations Organization.