Middle Tennessee State University wrapped up 2020 with a record-setting total of 47 awards for excellence in marketing and communications from four professional organizations for promotional work during the 2019 and 2020 contest periods.

MTSU’s multi-platform storytelling was recently honored with three awards by the national Telly Awards for video excellence; three Parthenon Awards from the Greater Nashville chapter of the Public Relations Society of America; six awards from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Awards and 35 awards from the Tennessee College Public Relations Awards.

Andrew Oppmann

“I am so very proud that we continued to tell the stories of this great university, despite the disruption that the global COVID-19 pandemic had upon our campus and community,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU vice president for marketing and communications.

MTSU’s two Telly Awards recognized two high-profile projects during the pandemic: Stay On Course, a series of web-only twice-weekly video programs produced by Oppmann during the pandemic and “Overcoming Adversity,” a television commercial written by Marketing Director David Foster, produced by Strategic Communications Manager John Goodwin and Video Marketing Specialist Joe Poe.

Also, MTSU’s television magazine series, “Out of the Blue,” produced by the Division of Marketng and Communications and the Center for Educational Media in the College of Education, was recognized as best TV or Radio Program by the TCPRA. And “On the Record,” the division’s weekly radio interview show on WMOT hosted by Gina Logue, won Bronze in the TCPRA competition.

“We are continuing to expand our multimedia efforts and grow audiences on multiple platforms,” Oppmann said.

Silver Telly Awards

• Online Series-Webseries, Non-scripted — “Stay On Course: MTSU’s Response to COVID-19” (produced by Andrew Oppmann)

• Local TV General, Schools/Colleges/Universities — “Overcoming Adversity” (written by David Foster, produced by John Goodwin, edited by Joseph Poe)

Bronze Telly Awards

• Local TV, Craft Writing — “Overcoming Adversity” (written by David Foster, produced by John Goodwin, edited by Joe Poe)

Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Parthenon Awards

Awards of Merit

The cover for the January 2020 edition of the newly redesigned MTSU magazine. (Photo courtesy of University Publications)

• MTSU President’s Report (Category of Annual Reports) — Drew Ruble and MTSU Creative Marketing Solutions

• True Choice Book (Category of Special Purpose Publications) — Micah Loyed and Carol Stuart

• MTSU Magazine Winter 2020 (Category of Magazines) — Micah Loyed and Drew Ruble

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education Awards (CASE)

CASE Platinum Awards

HONORABLE MENTION

• Best Article of the Year – “Legendary Comebacks” — Written by Allison Gorman, Edited by Drew Ruble

Silver Awards

• Magazine – MTSU Research Magazine — University Publications

Tennessee College Public Relations Awards (TCPRA)

Gold Awards (13)

• Illustrations – Blue Raider Safari – MTSU Homecoming Digital Sign — Drawn by Matthew Cox, Coordinated by Brittany Stokes

• Low-Budget Publication – MTSU Alumni Summer College Postcard — Brian Evans and Rhonda Wright King

• Media Relations Campaign – MTSU Ready to Work Programs (multiple colleges) — Jimmy Hart and Cathy Sgambati

• Newsletter (Electronic) – President McPhee’s Newsletter — Darrell Callis Burks and Carol Stuart

• Newsletter (Printed) – President’s Newsletter — Drew Ruble, Darrell Callis Burks and Carol Stuart

The poster promoting the MTSU Creamery won a Gold Award in the 2020 Tennessee College Public Relations Association contest. (Poster created by Brian Evans, Creative Marketing Solutions)

• Podcast – Classroom In Your Living Room (College of Education) — John Goodwin

• Posters –  MTSU Creamery Poster (College of Basic and Applied Sciences) — Brian Evans

• Radio, TV Show or Newscast – MTSU Out of the Blue (TV) — Marketing and Communications and the Center for Educational Media

• Special Event – MTSU Meharry Medical Fellows with Governor Lee (College of Basic and Applied Sciences) — Jimmy Hart

• Specialty Item – Scott Borchetta Presentation Record Album (College of Media and Entertainment) — Brittany Stokes

• Speech Writing – Presidential Remarks at City of LaVergne MLK Day Celebration — Cathy Sgambati

• Spot News Photography – Degree Held High — Andy Heidt

• Webpage Overall – MTSU About Page — John Goodwin 

Silver Awards (10)

• Digital Ad, Single – The College Experience You Dream About (Admissions) — Keith Dotson

• News Writing – MTSU Operation Song (College of Media and Entertainment, MTSU Veterans Center) — Gina Fann

Songwriter Jamie Floyd, left, plays and sings their new song while Jennifer Hyde of Murfreesboro, a U.S. Army mom and executive aide for the dean of MTSU’s College of Education, listens at a special showcase for Operation Song’s fourth annual “Songs and Stripes” event at MTSU Friday, Oct. 25. The event teams trios of military veterans, student and professional songwriters to create healing music for the veterans and training for the students. Not pictured is co-writer Abby Gibson, a senior commercial songwriting major from Roswell, Georgia. (MTSU file photo by Andy Heidt)

• Print Ad Series – MTSU Commencement Advertorials — Keith Dotson

• Print Ad – MTSU Tourism (College of Behavioral and Health Sciences) — Keith Dotson

• Radio Advertisement – MTSU Adult Degree Completion Program — David Foster

• Social Media Campaign – MTSU Stay On Course (Pandemic Response) — DeAnn Hays

• Special Publication – Scott Borchetta Presentation Record Album (College of Media and Entertainment) — Brittany Stokes

• Sport Photography – Over the Top Football (Athletics) — J. Intintoli

• True Blue Review (Top News Stories of 2019) — Brian Evans and Carol Stuart

• Video Advertisement – Climb Higher — John Goodwin

Bronze Awards (12)

• Brochure/Flyer – MTSU In-state Travel Brochure (Admissions) — Micah Loyed and Carol Stuart

• College Viewbook – MTSU Truly Best (Admissions) — Micah Loyed and Carol Stuart

• College Alumni Magazine – MTSU Magazine — Drew Ruble, Micah Loyed and Carol Stuart

• Digital Ad, Series – MTSU Jones College of Business — Keith Dotson

• Feature Writing – Legendary Comebacks for University College/Adult Degree Completion Program (MTSU Magazine) — Drew Ruble

• News Feature Video – Dance Program Takes Grad to Russia (MTSU Research) — Joe Poe

• Postcard/Invitation – MTSU Alumni Summer College Postcard — Brian Evans

• Radio, TV Show or Newscast – MTSU On the Record (radio) — Gina Logue

• Special Event – True Blue Spotlight (Admissions) — John Goodwin

• Special Publication – MTSU LGBT Safe Zone Handbook — Darrell Callis Burks

• Spot News Photography – Colorful Concert — J. Intintoli

• Website Microsite – Stay On Course — John Goodwin