Dr. Cliff Ricketts, right, laughs with Agribusiness and Agriscience Chair Dr. Warren Gill following Ricketts' return to campus after his 5,200-plus-mile coast-to-coast trip across America in alternative-fuel vehicles. News coverage of the trip was the Tennessee College Public Relations Association's "Best Media Success Story." (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

Middle Tennessee State University’s marketing and communications efforts received 21 awards for excellence from the Tennessee College Public Relations Association, the most of any public or private higher-education institution in the state.

The awards were presented at a ceremony held at the association’s annual conference, hosted on the MTSU campus earlier this month.

It was the second consecutive year MTSU garnered the most honors in the TCPRA awards. Other top winners included the University of Tennessee at Knoxville with 16 awards and Belmont University with six.

“There are so many compelling stories at our University and we are pleased our peers in higher education have recognized our success in sharing them with our audiences,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s associate vice president for marketing and communications.

Many of the University’s most recent multimedia communications efforts were recognized by the TCPRA, including:

• MTSU Research, a special edition of MTSU Magazine, which received the Gold Award for Best Specialty Publication; the University Honors College’s Honors Magazine, which earned the Silver Award for Best Newsletter/Magazine; and MTSU Magazine, which received a Bronze Award for Best Feature or News Writing;
• “Out of the Blue,” MTSU’s monthly television news magazine, and “On the Record,” the University’s weekly radio program, which received Gold and Silver Awards, respectively, in the Best Radio/TV Show category; and
• “Middle in a Minute,” the 60-second vignettes about the University featured on MTSU’s athletics broadcasts and on WMOT 89.5 FM, which received a Gold Award for Best Radio Advertisement or PSA.

The University’s video advertising took both gold and bronze honors; its print advertising received silver and bronze recognition; and its social media outreach was honored with a Silver Award.

Members of MTSU's Office of Marketing and Communications celebrate their 21-award win at the recent Tennessee College Public Relations Association conference held at the University. Singled out for special recognition were Tara Wann, center right on the front row, and Doug Williams, back row center. (photo submitted)

The national media coverage of MTSU Professor Cliff Ricketts’ cross-country trip on less than 10 gallons of gas was recognized with a Gold Award as the Best Media Success Story among Tennessee universities.

MTSU also received Gold and Silver Awards for photography as well as a Gold Award for top poster design.

The TCPRA honored Doug Williams, MTSU’s executive director of marketing and branding, with its Charles Holmes Award, which recognizes career achievement and distinguished service to the association. Williams, chairman of this year’s conference, is the only two-time recipient of the honor.

Tara Wann, secretary in the MTSU Office of Marketing and Communications, received the annual TCPRA scholarship given to a student at the institution hosting the conference. Wann is enrolled in the University College’s Adult Degree Competition Program.

— Andrew Oppmann (Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu)