The Statesboro and Georgia Southern University communities are mourning the loss of Pamela Bourland-Davis, PhD. The Georgia Southern Department of Communication Arts released the following statement today:
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Dr. Pamela G. Bourland-Davis, esteemed faculty member and former department chair. To know her was to be inspired by her. Her fierce commitment to academia, leadership, mentoring and the public relations profession has left a profound mark on the Department of Communication Arts, Georgia Southern University and all those who knew her.
Dr. Pam served as the chair of the Department of Communication Arts for 19 years but her journey at Georgia Southern did not start there. As an alumna of the university, PR faculty member for over 40 years, founding member of the PR Advisory Board and faculty in the Professional Communication and Leadership master’s program, she gave back to Georgia Southern in more ways than one can ever count. She came to this department as a faculty member decades ago with a passion, vision and fire that has catapulted us to where we are today. The countless lives she’s touched as a department chair, professor, colleague, mentor and friend are a true testament to the legacy she leaves behind.
Outside of the walls of Georgia Southern, Dr. Pam also served as the 2020 President of the Southern States Communication Association and Vice-Chair of the Commission on Public Relations Education. Pam was a past editor the Journal of Public Relations Education. This past November, Pam was recognized by the National Communication Association’s PRIDE Committee for her outstanding contribution and dedication to the field of public relations.
As we grieve this loss, let us not forget that we are all a little bit better for knowing Pam. Though her gifts to education were outstanding, we also honor her kindness, compassion, wit and joyful spirit. May we strive to honor her and continue her legacy by living like she did and holding ourselves to the standard that she held us to, as well.
Social media posts describe her as not only an excellent professor and professional but also a mentor, an inspiration, and a precious friend. As part of the journalism community, we at Grice Connect extend our deepest sympathies to all who knew and loved her.
An obituary is forthcoming.
