06/05/2026
We’re proud to celebrate a memorable night at the 2026 WMPRSA - West Michigan Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America PRoof Awards, where the SeyferthPR team earned seven awards for outstanding work completed in 2025!
The evening also included a special and meaningful announcement. In honor of our beloved colleague and friend, the late Karen Kirchenbauer, APR, SeyferthPR is proud to establish the Karen Kirchenbauer, APR Advancement Scholarship through WMPRSA.
Karen spent 25 years at SeyferthPR and was a dedicated mentor, leader and advocate for professional development and APR accreditation. She was honored with the WMPRSA Lifetime Achievement Award during the 2025 PRoof Awards – a few months prior to passing away after a courageous 18-year journey with cancer. Karen’s influence continues through the countless professionals, clients and community members she inspired.
Launching in January 2027, the scholarship will support public relations professionals pursuing their APR and help remove barriers to professional growth and leadership. SeyferthPR has committed to funding the scholarship for the next five years, ensuring Karen’s passion for mentorship and lifelong learning continues to shape future leaders in our profession.
Thank you to Karen’s family for sharing her with us, and congratulations to our team and all of this year’s honorees, including Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Clare Wade!
