The event, which brought together both public and private universities and community colleges from across the state, was held last week at Montgomery Bell State Park. The 2024 awards competition fielded a record-setting 355 submissions across 38 awards categories and included 17 public and private institutions.
Tech’s awards included a gold award in the feature writing category for a December 2023 story authored by news writer Tracey Hackett about a group of students in the Tech Engineering for Kids project who created an adjustable chair for a local preschooler with special needs. Hackett’s story netted television coverage in Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga media markets.
Tech also earned a gold award in the news/feature video category for a five-minute video made to accompany Hackett’s story. The video was produced by videographer Noel Stojkov and Tech Director of Interactive Media Rick Wells.
Rounding out Tech’s first-place awards was a gold award in the best college viewbook category for Tech’s “Live Wings Up” 2024 viewbook. The viewbook, a photo-centric publication for admissions recruitment, was designed by graphic artist Carson Smith with photography from Nick Fantasia and edited by Director of Brand Communications Bailey Phonsnasinh.
“Winning these prestigious awards at the TCPRA conference is a testament to the incredible talent, dedication and creativity of our communications and marketing team,” said Bobbie Maynard, Tech’s associate vice president for communications and marketing. “I am proud that our team’s compelling stories, great videos and eye-catching materials have been recognized among our peer institutions. This recognition fuels our passion to continue innovating and elevating Tech’s brand.”
Tech’s Office of Communications and Marketing earned silver awards in the best logo/graphic identity and social media categories, while the university earned additional silver awards in the best poster and illustration category for submissions on behalf of the Department of Computer Science. Tech also picked up bronze awards in the banner/outdoor media, brochure/flier and postcard/invitation categories.
The three-day TCPRA conference included a presentation from Jeremy Wendt, professor of educational technology and chair of the Department of Curriculum and Instruction in Tech’s College of Education, on emerging uses for A.I.
At the conclusion of the event, executive committee officers for the next two years were announced. Maynard will serve as TCPRA president while Denise Colwell, assistant to the vice president for enrollment and communication at Tech, will continue to lead sponsor relations for the conference. Irene Sullivan, office manager for the Office of Communications and Marketing, will serve as conference planning coordinator.
Learn more about TCPRA at www.tcpra.org.
