MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Storytelling in print, digital and video formats earned Middle Tennessee State University’s Division of Marketing and Communications recognition from several industry and higher education professional organizations in 2025 for its promotional work on behalf of the institution.

The division captured 33 awards at national, regional and state levels. Those honors included two national Telly Awards for television and video excellence for “Out of the Blue,” the university’s monthly public affairs program produced in partnership with the Center for Educational Media in the MTSU College of Education.

The podcast version of “Out of the Blue,” as well as the television production, was recognized with best-in-class awards by the Tennessee College Public Relations Association. The association also gave top honors to MTSU’s digital marketing efforts to attract transfer students.

“We’re proud that our team’s work on multiple platforms to tell the unique stories of Middle Tennessee State University continues to earn notice from our industry colleagues,” said Andrew Oppmann, the university’s vice president for marketing and communications.

Here is a list of awards presented in 2025 for efforts by the division:

Telly Awards (National)

Silver Awards (2)

• “MTSU Out of the Blue” | February 2024 (Television, General-Educational Institution).

• MTSU Exploring the Depths with Student-Built Submersible Vehicles (Craft-Videography & Cinematography) — Joseph Poe. (Video below)

Bronze Award (1)

• MTSU Out of the Blue, “Joys of the Season” (showcasing the talents of students and faculty in the College of Liberal Arts), Leroy Anderson’s Holiday Classic “Sleigh Ride” (General-Holiday and Seasonal) — Andrew Oppmann, Leah Tolbert Lyons, Matthew Hibdon, Joseph Poe, Jon Jackson, Mark Byrnes.

Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence (National)

Bronze Award (1)

• “Eurydice,” presented by MTSU Theatre (Video / Promotional (Short)).

CASE District III Awards (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia)

• “Taking the Long Road” (Writing: Research) — Allison Gorman (writer), Drew Ruble, Carol Stuart, Nancy Broden (staff editors), J. Intintoli and Andy Heidt (photographers), and Brian Evans (designer).

• “‘Eurydice,” presented by MTSU Theatre (Videos: Promotional (Short)) — Kristie Bravo (videographer), Rachel Byrnes (editor). (Video below)

 • “Step by Step” (Writing: Research) — Allison Gorman (writer), Drew Ruble, Carol Stuart, Nancy Broden (staff editors), J. Intintoli and Andy Heidt (photographers), and Brian Evans (designer).

• “Where Opportunity Meets Need” (Writing: News Feature; 1,000+ Words) — Allison Gorman (writer), Drew Ruble, Carol Stuart, Nancy Broden, (staff editors) J. Intintoli (photographer), and Brian Evans (designer).

• “Passing With Flying Colors” (Writing: News Feature; 1,000+ Words) — Kailee Shores (writer), Drew Ruble, Carol Stuart, and Nancy Broden (staff editors), James Cessna and Eric Sutton (photographers), and Micah Loyed (designer).

• CLA Magazine, Fall 2024/Winter 2025 (Magazines, Alumni/General Interest) — Matthew Hibdon and Darrell Callis Burks.

• Arete’ Magazine Cover – Fall 2024 (Photography, Individual Photographs) — Andy Heidt.

• “Learning on the Job” (Writing: Column or Opinion Piece) — Drew Ruble.

• JOURNEY Magazine (Design, Publications) — Micah Loyed.

• “Flip Out” (Photography, Individual Photographs) — Cat Curtis Murphy.

• MTSU Provost’s Pedaling Posse T-shirt graphic (Design: Specialty Pieces) — Brittany Stokes (designer).

Tennessee College Public Relations Association Awards

Gold Awards (5)

• MTSU “Exciting Transfer Opportunities” Ad (Digital Ad, Single) — Betsy Allgood, Creative and Visual Services, Marketing and Communications.

• JOURNEY Magazine Cover – Summer 2024 (Illustration) — Micah Loyed.

• “MTSU News & Information from the President” (Newsletter, Electronic) — Drew Ruble, Darrell Callis Burks.

• “MTSU Joys of the Season | Out of the Blue: Special Edition” – December 2024 (Radio/TV Show or Newscast) — Andrew Oppmann, Leah Tolbert Lyons, Matthew Hibdon, Joseph Poe, Jon Jackson, Mark Byrnes.

• “Out of the Blue from MTSU” (Podcast) — Andrew Oppmann, Joseph Poe, Jon Jackson.

Silver Awards (6)

• MTSU Fall Recruitment Ads (Digital Ad, Series) — Betsy Allgood, Kara Hooper, CVS, Marketing and Communications.

• MTSU “A Place Where You Belong” Ad (Digital Ad, Single) — Betsy Allgood, Sherry Wiser George, CVS, Marketing and Communications.

• MTSU responds to on-campus student suicide (Public Relations/Media Relations: Crisis Communication Campaign) — Jimmy Hart.

• CLA Spring Update – Mini Magazine 2024 (Low-Budget Publication) — Darrell Callis Burks.

• MTSU.edu (Website, Overall) — Kristin Byrne, Information Technology Division.

• Hidden Gems (Social Media Campaign) — DeAnn Hays, Student Voice Team.

Bronze Awards (5)

• MTSU Full-Page Commencement Advertorials (Advertising: Print Advertisement, Series) — Sherry Wiser George.

• MTSU Blue Raider Beer Garden Stickers (Specialty Item) — Brian D. Evans.

• “Passing with Flying Colors” (MTSU Magazine article on College of Media and Entertainment at Bonnaroo) (Feature Writing) — Kailee Shores.

• MTSU Discover Viewbook – 2024 (College Viewbook) — Darrell Callis Burks.

• “Behind the Scenes | TXMD’s “Melting Point” Runway Show” (College Promotional Video) — Rachel Byrnes. (Video below)

Parthenon Awards (Greater Nashville chapter of the Public Relations Society of America)

• Award of Merit for Most Effective Campaign on a $5,000 to $10,000 Budget (Transfer to MTSU! Social Campaign) — Betsy Allgood, CVS, Marketing and Communications.

• Award of Merit for Crisis Communications (MTSU responds to on-campus student suicide ) — Jimmy Hart.