University of Arkansas Wins Three CASE Awards

Russell Cothren, University Relations

In this photograph, one of ten submitted for the CASE prize, Russell Cothren snapped U of A Honors College students and professors touring Lima's historic district, as well as a Peruvian woman and child in traditional dress who happened to pass by the group. The photo also shows architectural styles ranging from colonial to contemporary.

The University of Arkansas has won three awards in the 2018 CASE District III Awards Competition, which "recognizes the very best in advancement across the Southeast." The Arkansas Alumni Association Scholarship Program received a Special Merit Award in the category of Alumni Relations Fundraising Project, Event or Program. A collaboration between the Honors College and University Relations won two Special Merit Awards, one each in the Excellence in Photography and Recruitment Video categories.

"The CASE District III competition had hundreds of entries across a broad range of categories, and winning these awards validates the hard work and creativity of our staff here at the University of Arkansas," said Roy Cordell, senior director of creative services for the Office of University Relations. Cordell serves on the board and is a co-chair of the CASE District III conference.

The Arkansas Alumni Association scholarship program has been supporting students and engaging alumni for more than 25 years. Scholarships have grown from the first two alumni endowed scholarships totaling $3,200 in 1990 to more than $1.1 million awarded to 481 students in 2017-18.

The sale of "Hog Tags" license plates provides revenue to the Arkansas Alumni Association in support of its endowed scholarships.

A significant factor in this growth is the collegiate license plate program, known widely as Hog Tags, which began in 1994. Alumni scholarships reach diverse populations in Arkansas and across the country through 70 different scholarship accounts supported by chapters, societies, individuals, and memberships, as well as funds from Hog Tags. The growth of the Arkansas Alumni Scholarship Program enhances the association's ability to meet its mission to connect and serve the University of Arkansas family through increased student support while engaging alumni and scholars.

The Honors College and University Relations worked together to document an Postcards from Peru study abroad experience that took students and faculty to historically and culturally significant sites throughout Peru in January 2017. Russell Cothren, manager of photographic services, produced the prizewinning portfolio of photographs, which has been featured online and in print pieces across campus, including Arkansas magazine; A+, the Honors College magazine; the Benefactor, and in the new view book developed by the Office of Admissions.

John Cooper, managing producer of video productions, and Kendall Curlee, director of communications for the Honors College, produced the award-winning video Honors Passport. Tony Steck, senior art director at DOXA, a local design firm, assisted with graphic design. Footage shot in Peru also has been used in the university's Short Takes video series and in a promotional video for the Office of Study Abroad and will be featured for the second year in the "All in for Arkansas" fundraising campaign.

The exceptional honors faculty and students who participated in Honors Passport: Peru also contributed greatly to these award-winning initiatives.

"We are grateful to the Honors College for the chance to showcase the opportunities we offer our students with stories so rich in imagery," said Cordell. "Russell and John are amazing at what they do, and we look forward to following our students and faculty on future adventures."

"We value the opportunity to partner with our friends at University Relations, and we're so pleased that yet again, our team has won recognition for their efforts to promote the tremendous international education opportunities here at the U of A," said Lynda Coon, dean of the Honors College. Since 2016 projects led by Honors College and University Relations personnel have won four Telly Awards and four CASE awards.