A Brock student with a passion for volunteering is this year’s recipient of the 2011 Lou Cahill Scholarship in Communications.

Bailey Barbary of Toronto received the scholarship, which is awarded to a communications student in his or her final year of study. It rewards academic excellence, community involvement and participation in charitable activities.

Bailey Barbary

The scholarship was established by Enterprise Canada of Toronto, one of the country’s longest-running public relations firms. It honours the firm’s founder, Lou Cahill. An icon of the Canadian public relations industry, Cahill died in November 2008 at the age of 94. He held an honorary doctorate from Brock.

“We are delighted that Bailey Barbary has received the Lou Cahill Scholarship in Communications,” said Barbara Fox, OEB Enterprise president and chief executive officer. “Lou Cahill would have been proud of her community involvement and commitment to charitable service.”

Sharon Broderick, lecturer in Brock’s Faculty of Business, said Barbary continues the tradition of scholarship and volunteerism that is integral to the award.

“Her social awareness coupled with a desire to apply her talents in helping others is demonstrated by her involvement in Brock radio, Brock TV and numerous charitable causes beyond the University campus,” said Broderick. “She is a gracious, modest and accomplished young woman.”

Barbary has been a Breast Cancer Awareness Event organizer, a participant fundraiser for the Weekend to End Women’s Cancer and an event liaison with Brock’s Terry O’Malley Lecture series. Through these commitments, she used skills gained in her studies, including social media, direct mail, event organization, marketing and public education.

At BrockTV.ca, she created promotion strategies to generate interest and awareness. She also used a variety of tools, including social media, to publicize online content and viewer involvement.

In 2010, Barbary was Public Outreach and Information assistant at the Niagara Region. She built and managed relationships with organizations, event sponsors and the public. Other duties included handling media, special event and promotional assignments.

“Bailey consistently went above and beyond her duties as a co-op student, taking a leadership role in various projects,” said Deanna Barrow, her supervisor at the Region.

The Communications and Public Relations Foundation manages the scholarship funds. The foundation promotes the advancement of communications and public relations as vital functions in our daily lives.

Applications for the annual Lou Cahill Scholarship in Communications, valued at $1,250 for eligible graduating students from the Department of Communication, Popular Culture and Film, are available from the University’s Student Awards and Financial Aid office. Scholarship winners have an opportunity to participate in a four-month internship with Enterprise Canada following graduation.