Contact: Sammy McDavid
A dozen students in Mississippi State's art department are major winners in the recent regional STAR competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation.
Held this year in Gulf Shores, Ala., the 2003 Student Talent Advertising Recognition involved more than 300 print and advertising design entries submitted by students at 13 public and private institutions in Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
In addition to receiving three of the top four honors, MSU students captured a third of the 60 total awards. The top winners included:
--Graduating senior Adam P. Howard of Florence, Ala., the Best of Show Award for his direct mail self-promotion project. The son of Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Howard, he also received a Gold STAR Award in the packaging category.
--Graduating senior Chad D. Mason of Brandon, the Best Magazine Advertising Copywriting Award for his project titled "Hungry Gecko." He also received a Gold STAR Award in the poster category. [Parents not listed.]
--Senior Eric M. Stars of Tupelo, the Best Design Award for his "Mugshot Stationery" project. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John Stars, he also received a Gold STAR Award in the Web site category and Silver STAR Awards in the poster and Web site categories.
Established in 1968, the MSU art department now is home to the state's largest academic studio program and a student chapter of the American Advertising Federation. Graphic design faculty members include Jamie Mixon, Patrick Miller, Jamie Runnells, and Ellen Knudson.
Other top MSU winners at the 2003 competition included (by hometown):
CLINTON--Graduating senior Melissa A. Brewer, Silver STAR Awards in the book design and stationery categories. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Brewer.
COMO--Graduating senior Paul C. Porter, a Silver STAR Award in the self-promotion category. [Parents not listed.]
FOREST--Senior Emily E. Strong, a Gold STAR Award in the logo category. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Strong.
HERMITAGE, Tenn.--Senior Samuel J. "Sam" Flegal, a Gold STAR Award (with graduating senior Sean Hufnagel of Little Rock, Ark.) in the multimedia campaign category. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Gary Flegal.
JACKSON--Graduating senior Ashley R. Givens, a Gold STAR Award in the self-promotion category. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Mark Givens.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--Graduating senior Sean M. Hufnagel, a Gold STAR Award (with senior Sam Flegal of Hermitage, Tenn.) in the multimedia campaign category. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Michael Hufnagel.
MOUNT OLIVE--Senior John P. "Jack" Kelley, a Gold STAR Award in the newspaper advertisement category and a Silver STAR Award in the logo category. [Parents not listed.]
SLIDELL, La.--Senior Michael A. Curtis, a Gold STAR Award in the editorial design category. Also completing a bachelor's degree in business information systems, he is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Curtis.
VICKSBURG--Graduating senior Jennifer L. Penley, a Gold STAR Award in the book design category and Silver STAR Awards in the packaging and multi-media campaign categories. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Penley.