CSUF PRSSA Attends V.I.P. Tour Aboard Navy Ship During L.A. Fleet Week
Members Received Exclusive Access During Biggest Fleet Week in the Nation
FULLERTON, Calif. (September 2017) – California State University, Fullerton’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) hosted a V.I.P. tour aboard the USS Anchorage (LPD-23) during the 2nd Annual L.A. Fleet Week in San Pedro, Los Angeles on September 3, 2017. The exclusive opportunity was set up by US Navy Reserve Public Affairs Officer and new PRSSA Faculty Adviser, Ken Hagihara.
“Having active Navy ships at the Port for Los Angeles Navy Week provided a rare opportunity to bring the students onboard for a special tour to learn about the Navy and interact with the sailors that live and work aboard USS Anchorage as it travels around the world in support of our country and its allies,” explained Hagihara who has served in the Navy for nine years and has just been selected for promotion to Lieutenant Commander. “The tour was designed to show the group a different side of the field of public relations that many people do not often see.”
While on board the group had the ability to see first-hand how Navy ships work and how their sailors operate day-to-day on an active military vessel. The fortunate attendees witnessed parts of the USS Anchorage that the public doesn’t normally see, including the bridge, where members got the chance to sit in Commanding Officer CAPT. Dennis Jacko‘s chair for a photo opp.
Of the 300,000 fleet-goers attending over the course of four days, PRSSA invitees were a few of a handful of lucky participants to gain access to the inside of the ship. Instead of the usual 20-minute public tour of the deck, PRSSA invitees found themselves within the amphibious transport dock for over an hour exploring different levels of the vessel.
The tour ended by giving the group a rare opportunity to speak with Lt. Cmdr. Dawn Stankus, a Navy Public Affairs Specialist, about what makes government affairs so different that public. She offered some words of advice as well as support to all those interested in joining the field.
To participate in more opportunities like this, please visit www.csufprssa.org to find out about other tours, upcoming events, and how to become a member or sponsor.
About Public Relations Student Society of America at CSUF:
The Public Relations Student Society of America at California State University, Fullerton is the premier organization for students to jump-start their career in communications and public relations. PRSSA retains the highest membership of all PRSSA chapters on the West Coast and is the largest on-campus student-run communication organization. PRSSA exposes our members to all facets and intricacies of the public relations profession across the spectrum by providing speaker events, career tours, mixers and more. PRSSA is the only organization affiliated with a professional chapter and is the only on-campus firm to offer a student-run public relations firm that exposes students to real-world opportunities such as a social media management, red carpets, writing and more.
Media Contact: csufprssa@gmail.com
Writer: Arianna Ford
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