The public relations academic community mourns the loss of Dr. Pamela Bourland-Davis, whose passing leaves a profound void in our professional and personal circles. A dedicated educator, visionary leader, and compassionate mentor, Dr. Bourland-Davis exemplified the very best of what it means to serve the academy.

For nearly two decades, she chaired the Department of Communication at Georgia Southern University, where her leadership was marked by a rare blend of intellectual rigor and steadfast support for faculty and students. Her administrative acumen was matched only by her generosity of spirit, guiding, uplifting, and inspiring those around her.

Nationally, Dr. Bourland-Davis’s contributions were wide-reaching. She served as Editor of the Journal of Public Relations Education and held leadership roles in numerous professional associations, including as Head of the AEJMC Public Relations Division (2000–2001) and as President of the Southern States Communication Association (2020). Her enduring commitment to advancing the discipline was evident in her work with the Commission on Public Relations Education, where she had recently begun serving as Vice Chair.

What set Dr. Bourland-Davis apart was her ability to build community. She mentored emerging scholars with care and conviction, encouraged collaboration, and gently urged others into leadership—often before they recognized their own readiness. Her influence lives on in the many colleagues, students, and friends she empowered.
Dr. Bourland-Davis’s legacy is one of inclusion, service, and scholarly excellence. In honoring her memory, we are reminded of the power of mentorship, the importance of humility in leadership, and the enduring impact of a life lived in service to others.
We extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the extended academic community she shaped so meaningfully.

With appreciation and respect,
The Journal of Public Relations Education Editorial Team