MAITLAND, Fla. (May 2, 2008) – At its inaugural presentation of the Jefferson Awards for public service, the University of Central Florida (UCF) Alumni Association’s Volunteer Chapter honored Roger Pynn, founder of Curley & Pynn Public Relations and Marketing Communications with a Lifetime Achievement award.
A national system of recognition, the Jefferson Awards honor individuals on a local level through nominations from nonprofit organizations, recognizing ordinary people who do extraordinary things.
“It’s an honor to be recognized,” said Pynn. “Serving one’s community is an altogether enriching experience. I encourage everyone to find ways to volunteer and pass on the spirit of service that the Jefferson Awards embodies.”
For more than 30 years, Pynn has dedicated himself to Central Florida and the UCF community, serving on the UCF Alumni Association board of directors for many years and the UCF Foundation board for more than 20 years, including serving as its chairman. He is also involved in numerous advisory boards on campus, including the Nicholson School of Communication and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the College of Sciences. In the community, he serves on the myregion.org and Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau boards of directors and dedicates his time as a Charity Challenge board member.
“The alumni association has benefited for years from great volunteers, and by starting the Jefferson Awards program, we can recognize the people serving in our community in a way that we had never done before,” said Tom Messina, executive director of the UCF Alumni Association. “We chose to honor Roger Pynn with a Lifetime Achievement award for giving his time, talent and treasure over and over again.”
In addition to recognizing Roger, the UCF Alumni Association’s Community Volunteers Alumni Chapter awarded Deborah Komanski of the Albin Polasek Museum and Sculpture Gardens; JoAnne Puglisi of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training and Support; and Mary Scott of Executive Coaching by Positive Outcomes with the Lifetime Achievement award.
The Jefferson Awards have a rich history of community service and volunteerism. In 1972, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis with Senator Robert Taft, Jr., and Sam Beard founded the American Institute for Public Service to create a Nobel Prize for public service. The Jefferson Awards continue the tradition to encourage and honor individuals for their achievements and contributions through community service.
Founded in 1984, Curley & Pynn provides counsel and advice and total program management to Florida professionals and corporate clients who recognize that in today’s business environment it is essential to communicate with all who have an interest in their success. Curley & Pynn is the Central and North Florida affiliate of the worldwide MS&L Global Network, associated with Manning, Selvage & Lee Inc., one of the world’s largest public relations firms. For more information, visit www.TheStrategicFirm.com.