ESU magazine cover wins two regional awards

Dick Garvey, university photographer; Jesse Tuel, associate director for University Advancement Communications; and John Decker, graphic designer collaboratively produced this cover of ESU's alumni magazine Spotlight.

The Spotlight, the magazine for Emporia State University alumni and friends, has earned two regional awards for the cover image on its summer 2006 edition.

The cover image, portraying the contrast between yesterday’s classroom and the technology of tomorrow’s learning, earned a gold award for photography and a bronze award for graphic design from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) at the District VI conference on Jan. 23 in Kansas City.

The image was a collaborative effort of photographer Dick Garvey and graphic designer John Decker, both of the ESU Public Affairs and Marketing office, and Spotlight editor Jesse Tuel, of the University Advancement office. Published by the Advancement office, the winter 2007 edition was released in mid-January.

The award puts ESU and the Spotlight in excellent company. The magazine was competing against publications from universities large and small, from the likes of the University of Kansas and Iowa State University to small private universities. District VI includes institutions from Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming. The awards competition received nearly 1,100 entries; for each category, bronze, silver, gold and grand gold awards were recognized.

The bronze award was in the Excellence in Graphic Design category for magazine covers with four or more colors, a category that received 43 entries. The gold award was earned among 39 entries in the Excellence in Photography category for news, editorial or feature photography.

“There is a level of talent and creativity here that rivals the largest universities,” said Sandy Kramer, interim director of University Advancement. “It’s very important that we award excellence, and this is certainly an indication that Emporia State has outstanding, creative people sharing our message.”

Marjorie Werly, director of Public Affairs and Marketing, was equally proud. “Dick, Jesse and John’s contributions in communicating the value of Emporia State University demonstrate the excellence for which the university stands,” Werly said. “I am extremely proud of them and also thrilled that the high quality of their work has been recognized by their peers.”

The image contrasts 19th-century education with 21st-century technology in the one-room schoolhouse on the ESU campus. Jessica Whorton, a May 2006 elementary education graduate, demonstrated the latest gadgets for Dr. Scott Waters, an elementary education professor. Dressing as a 19th-century teacher, Waters regularly gives historical presentations at the schoolhouse.

Last Updated July 2, 2007>