During College of Fine Arts and Communications convocation April 28
Bruce L. Olsen, managing director of the Public Affairs Department of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has been named the recipient of the 2006 Franklin S. Harris Award from Brigham Young University.
Olsen will receive the award during the college’s convocation ceremonies on Friday, April 28. He will also be the convocation speaker.
The Harris Award honors friends of the College of Fine Arts and Communications at BYU who have devoted outstanding professional or public service in one of the disciplines taught in the college. The recipients have achieved or supported academic and creative excellence, and have contributed their time, expertise or means to help strengthen the college.
The award honors those whose values and standards are in harmony with the mission of BYU and the Church of Jesus Christ.
As managing director of the Public Affairs Department, Olsen oversees the direction of worldwide government affairs, community relations and media relations programs of the more than 12 million-member Church. His department also supervises public relations and open house programs for the current worldwide temple construction program.
Prior to his appointment in the Public Affairs Department, he served as director of corporate communications for Geneva Steel.
Previous to Geneva Steel he enjoyed a successful 21-year career at BYU where he held several positions, including assistant dean and registrar, associate professor of communications and assistant to the president for university relations.
He continues to educate students in the Department of Communications by giving lectures to those involved in the BYU chapter of the Public Relations Student Society of America.
He is an accredited member of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and a member of the PRSA College of Fellows.
Under his direction the Church’s Public Affairs Department has won several national and international awards, including Silver and Bronze Anvils, PRSA's most prestigious recognition for excellence and best practices in public relations.
