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Honors and Awards

University Marketing and Communications’ work is not only recognized by our clients, but also by several external groups for its effectiveness and creativity.

Listed below are some of the recent awards UMC has received for its outstanding work.

2021

University Photographers' Association of America. University Photographer Lyndsie Schlink was recognized in two categories in the annual publications competition:

  • Second place for the Parent and Family Services’ Parent and Family Guide.
  • Third place for the Office of Admissions’ Viewbook publication

Pride of CASE V awards. UMC wins four golds and nine awards overall at 2021 CASE competition.

  • Design, Specialty pieces (Grand Gold): Illinois State University Gaming Jerseys designed by Evan Walles for the Redbird Esports program.
  • Publications, Student Recruitment-Individual Publication (Gold): Illinois State University Viewbook 2020 designed by Michael Mahle and Evan Walles and with photography by Lyndsie Schlink for the Office of Admissions.
  • Video, Videos-Fundraising (Gold): Thank Crew video created by Hugh Sullivan and Andrew Savage for University Advancement.
  • Video, Video on a Shoestring (Gold): Reggie’s Quest video created by Tyler Emken, Michael Mahle, Andrew Savage, Hugh Sullivan, and Sean Thornton for Homecoming 2019.
  • Marketing, Advertising-Campaigns (Silver): Create Your Legacy Motto, Illinois State University designed by Evan Walles for the Office of Admissions.
  • Marketing, Marketing on a Shoestring (Silver): Illinois State University Horticulture Center’s Sounds of the Center events marketing materials designed by Jeff Higgerson and Sean Thornton for the Illinois State University Horticulture Center.
  • Design, Environmental Graphics (Bronze): “The Vault”—Illinois State University Esports Gaming Space designed by Evan Walles for the Redbird Esports program.
  • Design, Poster Series (Bronze): Illinois State University Athletics poster series designed by Michael Mahle and Evan Walles and with photography by Lyndsie Schlink for Redbird Athletics.
  • Publications, Student Recruitment-Publications Packages (Bronze): Illinois State University Junior Academic Recruitment Package designed by Evan Walles for the Office of Admissions.

2020

University Photographers' Association of America. University Photographer Lyndsie Schlink was recognized in three categories in the annual publications competition:

  • First place for Athletics swimming and diving and women’s soccer team posters.
  • First place for the Office of Admissions’ Viewbook publication
  • Third place for Redbird Scholar magazine’s fall 2019 and spring 2020 covers.

2019

Pride of CASE V awards. UMC wins three golds and five awards overall at 2019 CASE competition.

  • Best Viewbook (gold): Illinois State University Viewbook 2019, designed by Michael Mahle and with photography by Lyndsie Schlink for the Office of Admissions.
  • Excellence in Design, Poster, Individual (gold): “Plant Explorers,” designed by Jeff Higgerson and Sean Thornton for the Illinois State University Horticulture Center.
  • Excellence in Illustrations (gold): “Children’s Garden Party, Plant Explorers,” designed by Jeff Higgerson and Sean Thornton for the Illinois State University Horticulture Center.
  • Excellence in Design, Poster Series (silver): “Illinois State University Athletics poster series,” designed by Michael Mahle and Evan Walles and with photography by Lyndsie Schlink for Redbird Athletics.
  • Best Recruitment Publication, Series (bronze): Create Your Future, designed by Evan Walles and with photography by Lyndsie Schlink for the Office of Admissions.

2017

University Photographers' Association of America. University Photographer Lyndsie Schlink was recognized in two categories in the annual publications competition:

  • First place for Publication Covers for Redbird Scholar magazine’s fall 2016 and spring 2017 issues, and the August 2016 Illinois State alumni magazine.
  • Third place for the Office of Admissions’ Viewbook publication

2016

University Photographers' Association of America. University Photographer Lyndsie Schlink was recognized in three categories in the annual publications competition:

  • First place for Specialty Books for Illinois State's new Traditions book
  • Second place for Publication Covers for Redbird Scholar magazine's first two issues
  • Third place for Viewbook for the Office of Admissions publication

Archive

  • 2015

Pride of CASE V awards. UMC wins seven awards overall at 2015 CASE competition.

  • Best Graphic Identity/Logo (gold): Thomas Metcalf School Identity, designed by Sean Thornton for Thomas Metcalf School in the College of Education.
  • Best Illustration/Graphic (gold): Where are all the Redbirds? illustrated children’s book, designed by Mike Mahle and written by Susan Marquardt Blystone.
  • Excellence in Design, Posters, Individual Poster (silver): Team #ISUSciTech poster, designed by Sean Thornton for the College of Applied Science and Technology’s Science and Technology Week.
  • Excellence in Feature Writing, Individual (silver): “Beer Riot oral history,” written by Ryan Denham and designed by Sean Thornton for Illinois State alumni magazine.
  • Online Innovation: Communications/Marketing (silver): Video Stories project, produced by Bob Tomaski, Adam Rahn, R.C. McBride, Ryan Denham, Steven Barcus, Kevin Bersett, and Kate Arthur.
  • Excellence in Design (miscellaneous), honorable mention: Where are all the Redbirds? illustrated children’s book, designed by Mike Mahle and written by Susan Marquardt Blystone.
  • Best Illustration/Graphic, honorable mention: “Extreme makeover” (Family and Consumer Sciences feature article), designed by Sean Thornton for Illinois State alumni magazine.
  • 2014

Pride of CASE V awards

  • Platinum category (gold award), Teresa Du Bois Exline Award for Best Practices in Communications and Marketing: ISU 365 photo project.
  • Contributors included Lyndsie Schlink, Steven Barcus, Ryan Denham, Dave Jorgensen, Sean Thornton, and Adam Rahn.
  • Platinum category (honorable mention), Best Articles of the Year: “Earliest educators: Reflections of one-room schoolhouse teachers.” Written by Susan Marquardt Blystone, designed by Dave Jorgensen for Illinois State magazine.
  • Gold award, Excellence in Design (Series): Admissions materials. Designed by Carol Jalowiec for the Office of Admissions.
  • Silver award, Excellence in Print Advertising: Illinois State University Emergency Alert campaign. Designed by Jon Robinson for Environmental Health and Safety and the Dean of Students Office.
  • Silver award, Best Illustration/Graphic: WGLT winter and spring events program. Designed by Mike Mahle for WGLT.
  • Bronze award, Best Viewbook: Illinois State University Viewbook. Designed by Carol Jalowiec for the Office of Admissions.
  • Bronze award, Excellence in Design (Brochures): Student Fitness Center Activate program guide. Designed by Jon Robinson for Campus Recreation.
  • Bronze award, Best Illustration/Graphic: University Advancement Halloween Treat Fest poster. Designed by Sean Thornton for UA.
  • 2013

Regional American Advertising Awards (Peoria Ad Club)

  • "STATE your Passion" admissions materials. Designed by Carol Watson for the Office of Admissions. (Gold award)
  • WGLT 2014 Summer and Winter Spring Events Guide. Designed by Mike Mahle for WGLT. (Gold)
  • Illinois State magazine (November 2013 issue), produced by UMC's editorial team, led by editor Susan Marquardt Blystone, and designed by UMC staff for Alumni Relations. (Gold)
  • University Advancement (UA) event poster, designed by Sean Thornton for UA. (Gold)
  • Emergency Alert ad campaign, designed by Jon Robinson for Environmental Health and Safety, EHS Director J.C. Crabill, and the Dean of Students Office. (Judge's Choice and Silver)
  • 2012

District ADDY Awards (Illinois, Iowa, and Michigan)

  • Pride and Passion booklet (Silver)
  • 1911 Garden Dinner brochure (Silver)

Regional ADDY Awards (Peoria Ad Club)

  • Pride and Passion booklet (Gold and Judge's Choice)
  • 1911 Garden Dinner brochure (Gold)
  • Wear Red on Friday elevator graphics (Gold)
  • Forging Ahead: EDC Annual Report (Silver)
  • Voices of Discovery campaign (Silver)
  • Beware of Zombies! bus shelter ad (Silver)
  • Hands and Feats magazine feature (Silver)
  • Spring Dance Concert marquee and door graphics (Silver)
  • Student recruitment package (Silver)
  • Children's Garden Party brochure (Silver)
  • News & Views magazine (Silver)
  • Spring Dance Concert poster (Silver)
  • ISU Magazine, November 2011 issue (Silver)
  • Treat Fest flier (Silver)
  • ISU Vehicle graphics (Silver)
  • 2011

Regional ADDY Awards (Peoria Ad Club)

  • Collateral Material, Self Promotion (Gold): Yield (Photo) Book
  • Collateral Material, Poster (Gold): Summer Session Poster Campaign
  • Collateral Material, Special Event Campaign (Silver): Bean Bags Tournament Campaign
  • Collateral Material, Special Event (Silver): Gala Invitation
  • Elements of Advertising, Illustration (Silver): Find Your Way Poster
  • Elements of Advertising, Photography (Silver): Viewbook Photography Campaign
  • Online Advertising, E-mail (Silver): Illinois State Madrigals E-mail
  • Public Service, Poster (Silver): Every Redbird Counts! Census Posters
  • Sales Promotion, Menu (Silver): Watterson Dining Gourmet Tour Passport

In-Print (In-Plant Printing Association) Award

  • Campus Dining Gourmet Tour postcard, GOLD, Direct Mail category

CASE District V Awards

  • Student Affairs Viewbook (Bronze)
  • Ewing Cultural Center brochure (Bronze)
  • GALA invitation package (Bronze)
  • Get in the Game logo (Silver)
  • Find Your Way poster illustration (Gold)
  • 2010

CASE District V Awards

  • Best Graphic/Logo: STATE your Passion branding materials (Gold)
  • Best Program in Donor Recognition/Stewardship: Large Scale Production of Personalized Endowment Reports (Silver)
  • Excellence in Design, Individual Poster: Bean Bag Tournament Poster (Silver)
  • Best Illustration/Graphic: Milner Library Posters (Silver)
  • Excellence in Design, Poster Series: Seven Campaign Posters (Bronze)

Graphic Design USA Awards

  • Brochures and Collateral: Softball Field Fundraising Booklet for Illinois State University Athletics
  • Newsletters and eNewsletters: Forecast Magazine for Illinois State University College of Applied Science and Technology
  • Posters: UA Chili Cook-off Poster for Illinois State University Advancement

University & College Designers Association (UCDA) Award

  • Viewbook photography (Award of Excellence)

Regional ADDY Awards (Peoria Ad Club)

  • Seven poster campaign (Gold)
  • Milner Library (Who is...your Librarian?) poster (Gold)
  • STATE your Passion Premiere materials (Gold)
  • STATE your Passion fridge magnets (Gold)
  • M.B.A. Brand You digital billboards (Gold)
  • 2009 Homecoming van graphics (Gold)
  • Homecoming micro site (Gold)
  • Fall Dance Concert poster (Silver)
  • Viewbook photography campaign (Silver)
  • An Evening with Tim Gunn poster and banner (Silver)
  • Illinois State University Viewbook (Silver)
  • Uptown and Gown Gala invitation package (Silver)
  • 2010 Summer Session poster campaign (Silver)

Education Advertising (Higher Education Marketing) Awards

  • 2009 College of Business Magazine (Gold)
  • Illinois State University Search Piece (Silver)
  • Milner Library Child Art brochure (Silver)
  • Seven poster campaign (Bronze)
  • Uptown and Gown Gala invitation package (Merit)
  • 2009

Regional ADDY Awards (Peoria Ad Club)

  • Breath Boom poster (Silver)
  • Emergency Alert Notification System poster series (Silver)

Admissions Marketing (Higher Education Marketing) Awards

  • Educating Illinois brochure (Silver)
  • Illinois State alumni magazine (Merit)
  • 2009 Summer Session poster campaign (Merit)
  • 2009 University Calendar (Merit)
  • Campus Tour Crew video (Merit)

CASE District V Awards

  • M.B.A. Brand You poster series (Bronze)

CASE District V Awards

  • Campus Tour Crew video (Gold)