College of Arts and Sciences communication staff, students shine at Lantern Award ceremony

The College of Arts and Sciences communication team is presented with a trophy — Kelli West, left, president of the SPRF board of directors, presents a 2023 Lantern award to College of Arts & Sciences communication team members Sam Kealhofer, Karyn Brown and Sarah Nicholas. (Submitted photo)

STARKVILLE, Miss.—A ��ɫ��Ƶ communication team recently garnered four top awards at the Southern Public Relations Federation conference in Huntsville for their efforts at increasing the message and visibility of MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences. Along with college staff, students in the Department of Communication took top SPRF awards for their hands-on projects in the classroom.

The CAS communication team––led by Karyn Brown, assistant dean for communication and media and also an instructor in MSU’s Department of Communication––received Awards of Excellence for the CAS Vision podcast, Vision television show, and 2022 edition of Vision magazine. The overall “Vision” branding campaign––incorporating print media, television and podcasts––won a Lantern Award, the highest level of achievement.

“I am so proud of the work our team produced on behalf of the College of Arts and Sciences. Being judged by our peers and recognized by SPRF as award-worthy validates the efforts we put into making our college the best it can be,” said Brown.

Joining Brown in the winning efforts were Kelli Anthony, MSU communication instructor who coordinates and executes graphic design strategy for “Vision” branding; Sam Kealhofer, CAS Dean’s Office coordinator for communications and research support who produces the Vision podcast and Vision television show; and Sarah Nicholas, CAS Dean’s Office communication specialist who is Vision magazine editor.

CAS Dean Rick Travis said the dedication of the communication team is “commendable and appreciated.”

“The College of Arts and Sciences applauds and congratulates the team, not only for their hard work, but their dedication to the advancement of arts and sciences,” said Travis.

Zoie Henson and Sarah Colvert hold several award trophies — 2023 MSU communication graduates Zoie Henson, left, and Sarah Colvert accept the PRISM student awards at the SPRF conference. (Submitted photo)

Students in MSU’s PRISM––Public Relations Integrated Student Media Agency––won multiple awards for their agency work. PRISM allows communication students an opportunity to receive real-world work experience with clients.

Zoie Henson, a 2023 MSU graduate from Philadelphia and former departmental public relations intern, received an Award of Excellence for her work on the “2022 Department of Communication Annual Report.”

2023 MSU graduates Lucy Trew of Delano, Tennessee, Sydni Vandevender of Madison, and Derrick Lewis II of Brandon, received a Lantern Award as well as Student Best of Show for their project––“Special Events, Lights, Camera, ACTION! Lighting Up the Magnolia Independent Film Festival.”

2023 MSU graduates Laken Laird of Meridian, Josh Riggs of Bogue Chitto and Lydia Palmer of Louisville won a Lantern in Social Media Management for their project––“The Magnolia Independent Film Festival: A Special Bloom at 25.”

2023 MSU graduates Mary Grace Morris of Jackson, Ainsley Vendur of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and current senior Ella Sisk of Mount Pleasant, South Carolina, won a Lantern Award in Digital for their project “ Office of Prestigious External Scholarships––Posting with Prestige.”

Current MSU senior Georgia Caparos of Northbrook, Illinois, along with 2023 MSU graduates Elly Lamb of Jackson and Sarah Colvert of Huntsville, Alabama, received an Award of Excellence in Campaigns for their project “The Speaking Center––Making it Public.”

MSU graduates Savannah Munn of Starkville, Emma Dotson of Madison and Emerson Borgelt of Simpsonville, South Carolina, received an Award of Merit in Advertising and Publications for their project with the Department of Geosciences, “Out of the Stone Age.”

2023 MSU graduates Caroline Dewberry of Starkville, Zoie Henson, and Hannah Whalum of Hattiesburg received an Award of Merit in Potpourri for their work on “Story State––Crooked Letter Tales.”

The SPRF is an association of public relations professionals located across northern Alabama, north Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. With more than 1,400 members, SPRF is considered the prominent professional development and networking organization for public relations in the South.

For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences, visit .

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