Several Virginia Tech print, broadcast, and web-based communications programs produced by the Office of University Relations were recently recognized with Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III awards.

CASE is the largest international association of educational institutions and is dedicated to helping member institutions build stronger relationships with alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their member institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

Each year, CASE’s eight regional districts hold awards competitions in conjunction with their respective annual conferences to recognize high caliber work in the areas of communications, development, and alumni relations. Qualified professionals from education and the private sector judge the categories. In each category, judges have the option of awarding one Grand Award and up to four Awards of Excellence and five Special Merit Awards.

Among the awards received by Virginia Tech:

  • "National Campaign Steering Committee," a video used in conjunction with Virginia Tech’s capital campaign, received a Grand Award in the films and videotape category. Dan Mirolli (television and video producer, University Relations) and Randall R. Stith (director of visual and broadcast communications, University Relations) produced the video.

  • "Virginia Tech Pod News," a weekly report of university news and events available as podcast downloads, received a Grand Award in the radio programs and announcements category. Paul Lancaster (broadcast media coordinator, University Relations) produces the weekly podcast.

  • VM Magazine, the twice yearly periodical of the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, received an Award of Excellence in the tabloid and newsletter publishing improvement category. Nathan Skreslet (graphic designer, University Relations) was the primary graphic designer on the project. Other staff members involved include Clara Cox (director of publications, University Relations), Jeffery S. Douglas (communications director, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine), Rick Griffiths, photographer, University Relations), Liz Guinn (office assistant, Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine), Michael Kiernan (photography manager, University Relations), Richard Lovegrove (university editor, University Relations), and John McCormick (photographer, University Relations).

  • The Virginia Tech website received an Award of Excellence in the overall web site design and implementation category. Mike Dame (director of web communications, University Relations) oversees the ongoing, university-wide initiative to redevelop the university Web presence as part of the overall university branding initiative. Other staff members involved in the project include Kimberly Haines (web producer, University Relations), Bruce Harper (webmaster, University Relations), and Elaine Oliver (web designer, University Relations).

  • The Virginia Tech homepage received an Award of Excellence in the World Wide Web home page design and implementation category. The new homepage was launched in July 2006 after a year-long redesign project with the Blacksburg-based firm, New City Media.

  • "Invent the Future," the television ad broadcast during football games, received a Special Merit Award in the television category. Keith Thomas (television/video producer, University Relations) produced the ad.

  • "Beyond the Classroom," a video about student projects outside the class, received a Special Merit Award in the films and videotape category. Paul Lancaster and Josh Napier (video production specialist, University Relations) produced the video.


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