Slippery Rock University won 16 awards in two national advertising competitions that recognize colleges and universities for excellence in communication, marketing, advertising and promotions: the 2024 Collegiate Advertising Awards and the 40th Annual Educational Advertising Awards.
SRU won six awards in the Collegiate Advertising Awards for posters, invitations, logos, magazines, and other campaigns produced by staff in its University Marketing and Communication Office, including designs under the direction of Megan Cassioli, interim director of graphic design.
The winning projects include:
- Alice By Heart Theatre Poster 2024 (Gold in the Poster/Display category), designed by Samantha Toki, a senior dual art and strategic communication and media major from Windber (Windber HS).
- Sunset Serenade invitations (Silver in the Invitations category), designed by Cassioli.
- Homecoming Logo 2024 (Silver in the Logos/Trademarks/Mascots category), designed by Kalen Johson, a 2024 graduate with a degree in art.
- Alumni Weekend Package (Silver in the Special Events category), designed by Cassioli.
- The ROCK Magazine 2024 Fall Issue (Silver in the Magazine Publication – Single category), designed by Cassioli and Toki with photography by Michael Schnelle, visual communication director.
- SRU Giving Day 2024 (Silver in the Fundraising Campaign category), designed by Cassioli with support graphics by Chase Wickerham, assistant director of web communication and development.
The 10 Educational Advertising Awards were produced by University Marketing and Communication Office and Beyond Spots & Dots, the University’s advertising agency, include:
- Gold Award for Website Refresh, sru.edu homepage designed by Wickerham and Darcy White, director of web communication and development.
- Gold Award for Electronic Advertising, 2024 Graduate Display Campaign, produced by Beyond Spots & Dots.
- Silver Award for Magazine Advertising Series, The ROCK Magazine 2024 Fall Issue.
- Silver Award for Electronic Advertising, 2024 Undergraduate Social Media Advertising Campaigns, produced by Beyond Spots & Dots.
- Bronze Award for Magazine Advertising Series, The ROCK Magazine 2024 Spring Issue.
- Bronze Award for Electronic Advertising, 2024 Undergraduate Display Campaigns, produced by Beyond Spots & Dots.
- Merit Award for Instagram Content, zero-click reads, designed by Cassioli.
- Merit Award for Publication/External, 15-day enrollment graphic, designed by Cassioli.
- Merit Award for Special Video, SRU Holiday Video, produced by Schnelle.
- Merit Award for Online Display Ad, 2024 National Transfer Student Week Display Campaign, produced by Beyond Spots & Dots.