University News Collects 6 PRism Awards

In honor of outstanding work in the field of public relations, RIT University News claimed six PRSA Rochester 2010 PRism Awards during a ceremony held June 10 at Casa Larga Vineyards. The local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America sponsors the annual awards program, which recognizes creative impact in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors.

The six PRism Awards are the most University News has received in a single year. The department also earned Awards of Excellence for entries submitted in three additional categories.

“The not-for-profit category is always strong, but it was especially so this year,” says Kellie Fronk, the 2010 PRism Awards chairperson. “It is noteworthy for one non-profit, especially one university, to win six PRism awards in one year, and that is a testament to the strength of the not-for-profit and university public relations organizations in the Rochester area.”

University News received PRism Awards in the following categories:

• Internal Video Program: Campus Connection (Paul Stella and Kelly Downs, producers, with support from Mark Fragale and Amanda Wade, ETC Production Services at the Wallace Center)

• Media Relations: Big Shot (Kelly Downs)

• Newsletter: Athenaeum (Vienna Carvalho, managing editor, and Peter Bella, University Publications designer)

• Online Publication/E-zine: News & Events Daily (Mike Saffran, executive editor, and Susan Gawlowicz, editor)

• Photography (A. Sue Weisler, manager of photography)

• Public Service Announcement: Imagine RIT (Paul Stella, producer, with support from Steve Czompo and Joe Bellavia,ETC Production Services at the Wallace Center)

Additionally, University News was recognized with the Award for Excellence in the following categories:

• Community Relations: Raising the Roof on Sustainability (Michelle Cometa, Vienna Carvalho and Kelly Downs)

• Magazine: RIT: The University Magazine (Kathy Lindsley, editor, and Colleen Clarke, University Publications art director)

• Social Media (Bob Finnerty, Mike Saffran and John Follaco)

“The awards are a gratifying validation of the broad range of public relations work created by the University News team,” says Bob Finnerty, chief communications officer. “It speaks to their diverse talent.”

Members of the Blue Ridge, Va., PRSA chapter were charged with judging this year’s PRism Award entries. Overall, there were 120 entries submitted by various Rochester-area organizations.