Rogers State University students took home the top awards at the Oklahoma Speech, Theatre and Communication Association (OSTCA) Convention held at the University of Oklahoma in Norman on Sept. 27-28.
Heather Crain, a senior communications major from Broken Arrow, led the first-place team in the 4th annual state public relations competition. Her teammates were from Southwestern Oklahoma State University and Southwestern College in Winfield, Kan. Crain earned an award certificate and a cash award for her team’s winning campaign.
Other RSU students competing in the public relations event were communications majors Steven Morris of Tulsa-Lincoln Christian, Ashley Roberts of Coweta and Brandi Green of Collinsville. Dr. Dana Gray, O.D. Mayor Endowed Chair in Business, coached RSU’s competitors. Payne Education Center of Oklahoma City served as the client for the PR exercise, and its Executive Director Dr. Carrie Brown served as chief judge.
Green was awarded “top student paper” at the convention for her original research study entitled “The Downward Spiral: Effects of Hyper-Sexualized Print Advertising on Consumers.” She earned a plaque and a cash award.
Eight RSU faculty from three departments participated in the conference, including several who presented a panel on service learning. Panelists included Dr. Sara Beam of the RSU Writing Center; Frances Morris of the Department of English and Humanities; Dr. Juliet Evusa and Lee Williams of the Department of Communications; and Gray from the Department of Business. Student Steven Morris also was featured on the panel. Other communications faculty members at the conference were Dr. Jeff Gentry, department chair, and adjunct faculty Keith Denslow and Sharlene Kenyon.
Founded in 1927, OSTCA is one of the longest-running state communications associations in the nation.