[305] MTSU earns top honors for 'True Blue' communication efforts

For release:  Feb. 22, 2013

MTSU contact: Andrew Oppmann, 615-494-7696 or Andrew.Oppmann@mtsu.edu

ATLANTA — The Council for the Advancement and Support of Education has recognized MTSU with eight awards for marketing and communications excellence, including two top honors for the university’s “I am True Blue” efforts.

MTSU received two Grand Awards in the Council's CASE District III competition, which recognizes the best in university communication efforts by public and private institutions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

The winners were announced at the recent District III annual conference in Atlanta.

CASE named “I am True Blue,” which MTSU uses to signal its devotion to student success and commitment to a community that values learning, growth and service, as the district’s best communications and marketing program.

Awards of Excellence in this category went to the University of South Carolina and UNC Asheville. Awards of Merit were presented to Clemson University, Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Memphis.

“True Blue Respect,” a student-focused MTSU campaign that reinforces community standards, was named as CASE's best institutional engagement program.

Awards of Excellence in this category went to the University of Central Florida and Clemson University, while Awards of Merit were presented to the University of Miami, the University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Vanderbilt University.

“ ‘I am True Blue’ came forward from our university community, so we are very pleased that this heartfelt expression of our values and commitment was recognized,” said Andrew Oppmann, MTSU’s associate vice president for marketing and communications.

MTSU also received three Awards of Excellence and three Awards of Merit at the CASE District III conference in Atlanta.

CASE is an international association of educational institutions that works with professionals in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas to help strengthen relationships with their alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market their institutions to prospective students, diversify the profession and foster public support for education.

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About MTSU

Founded in 1911 as one of three state normal schools for teacher training, MTSU is now the oldest and largest public university in Middle Tennessee. With an enrollment of more than 25,000 students, MTSU is the largest undergraduate university in Tennessee.

MTSU remains committed to providing individualized service in an exciting and nurturing atmosphere where student success is the top priority. With a wide variety of nationally recognized academic degree programs at the baccalaureate, master's and doctoral levels, MTSU takes pride in educating the best and the brightest students from Tennessee and around the world.

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            MTSU is committed to developing a community devoted to learning, growth, and service. We hold these values dear, and there’s a simple phrase that conveys them:  “I am True Blue.” Learn more at www.mtsu.edu/trueblue. For MTSU news anytime, visit www.MTSUNews.com.