University Relations video and photo teams recently earned national recognition for their work telling visual stories about the U of A.
Photographer Russell Cothren recently won third place in the University Photographers’ Association of America's monthly contest in the category General Marketing and Illustrations. The photo, titled Field Work in Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, was taken for A+, the Honors College magazine, for its upcoming October issue.
This is just the most recent of many national awards for Cothren, who has been behind the lens, providing amazing photos of the university for more than 32 years. On winning the UPAA's contest, Cothren said it was "wonderful to be part of such a supportive professional group of photographers from a diversity of universities throughout the United States."
Russell Cothren's award-winning photo, "Field Work in Tallgrass Prairie Preserve," was featured in A+ Magazine.
In addition, the University Relations video team garnered two silver Telly Awards as part of the 47th annual awards competition.
One video, When In Rome, won the silver in the category General – Educational Institution. The short minute-and-a-half video spotlights the U of A’s Rome Center. Besides stunning videography of the city and classrooms, the video is narrated with interviews from the Rome Center’s director, as well as students from the Walton College of Business and the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences and an alumnus from the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design.
“We wanted to highlight the opportunities we offer our students - both in seeing the world but also continuing their studies in another country to better understand how to communicate and work with individuals globally,” said Ben Goodwin, managing producer of video production, who produced both videos.
The second silver was awarded to Architecture Abroad in the category of General – Arts and Culture. Also set in Italy – but this time, in Venice - the two-and-a-half-minute video showcases the architectural exhibition “PORCH: An Architecture of Generosity” at the U.S. Pavilion at the 2025 Venice Architecture Biennale - considered the most prestigious international art and architecture exhibition in the world.
The Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design, in partnership with Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and DesignConnects, was selected by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs to commission, organize and curate the exhibition, which focuses on the representation of the U.S. through the contemporary manifestation of the porch in American architecture.
Shooting the videos in two locations halfway around the globe wasn’t easy. “There were a lot of logistics involved,” Goodwin said, crediting the help the team received from the Graduate School and International Education (particularly John Post), the Fay Jones School (particularly Michelle Parks) and the Rome Center (particularly Francesco Bedeschi and Sara Giacani). Goodwin said they all helped shape the itinerary and coordinate logistics for the video shoots and were invaluable resources.
Both projects were produced by Goodwin and Jennifer Holland, senior director of marketing communications. Brian Petty, Austin Ellis and Tyler Woessner provided videography for both projects, as well.
“We were proud of how these videos turned out,” Goodwin said, “and we’re happy that this recognition will bring additional attention to these stories.”
About The Telly Awards: The Telly Awards is the premier award honoring video and television across all screens. Established in 1979, The Telly Awards receives over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and five continents. Entrants are judged by The Telly Awards Judging Council—an industry body of over 250 leading experts including advertising agencies, production companies and major television networks, reflective of the multi-screen industry The Telly Awards celebrates.
About the University Photographers’ Association of America: The UPAA is an international organization of college and university photographers dedicated to the application and practice of photography as it relates to higher education. Our organization is committed to photographic excellence through continuing education and networking with our professional colleagues. UPAA includes members from two-year, four-year, public and private universities and colleges from nearly every state, Canada, Israel, Australia, Grenada and Europe. The UPAA represents the very best in higher education photography.