The essence of public relations is fostering relationships and making an impact on a community. Barbara Arnold excels in both areas, and now she’s been honored for her tireless work in the public relations field through a national award. Arnold, of Eau Claire, received the Paul M. Lund Public Service Award from the Public Relations Society of America at a Nov. 9 ceremony in Atlanta. According to PRSA – the nation’s largest professional group for public relations practitioners – the award “is given to a PRSA member whose participation as a volunteer in important public activities has increased the common good and reflected credit on the society.” Arnold founded the PRSA student chapter at UW-Eau Claire, and she serves as a mentor to UWEC students, Accreditation in Public Relations (APR) candidates in Minnesota’s PRSA chapter, as well as APR candidates worldwide through online courses. In addition to her work as a mentor, career coach, guest lecturer, communications consultant, and Volume One contributor, Arnold’s career highlights include playing an instrumental role in establishing the Families of Freedom Scholarship Fund in the immediate aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. To date, the fund has given nearly $116 million in scholarships to the families of those killed or injured on 9/11 and its aftermath. That, folks, is community impact at work.