MSU shines at public relations Lantern Award ceremony
From left, Vanessa Beeson, Kelli Anthony, Sam Kealhofer, Sarah Nicholas, Karyn Brown and James Carskadon with awards at the 2024 Lantern Awards ceremony in Biloxi.
Mississippi State University faculty, staff and students brought home top awards at the recent Southern Public Relations Federation Lantern Awards ceremony in Biloxi.
The Lantern Awards annually recognize outstanding public relations achievements across Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi and the Florida panhandle and are categorized into three ranks -- Lantern Awards, Awards of Excellence and Certificates of Merit.
“Congratulations to all the winners who exemplify the highest standards of excellence in our field,” said SPRF President Kim Foster. “The work being done in the SPRF region is a testament to the power of effective communication and its ability to connect communities.”
Each entry was judged by industry experts -- to showcase creativity, innovation and the impactful communication strategies that drive successful public relations campaigns.
In the top category, the Lantern Awards, MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences won twice:
-- Eclipse Viewing Event, headed by CAS communication team Karyn Brown, assistant dean for communication and media; Kelli Anthony, graphics and web designer; Sam Kealhofer, coordinator for communication and research support; and Sarah Nicholas, communication specialist; with assistance from James Carskadon, marketing and communication manager with MSU’s High Performance Computing Collaboratory.
-- Vision Magazine, headed by CAS communication team members Anthony, Brown, Kealhofer and Nicholas.
Winners in the Awards of Excellence category include:
-- MSU CAS Vision Podcast, headed by Brown and Kealhofer.
-- MSU Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station for their website, headed by the MSU’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Dean Scott Willand, and Agriculture and Natural Resources marketing team staff members Karen Brasher, Meg Henderson and Chase Shaw.
Certificates of Merit were awarded to:
-- MSU CAS’s Expert’s List -- headed by Brown and Kealhofer.
-- MSU College of Agriculture and Life Sciences -- Mississippi Youth Institute at MSU -- headed by the CALS Dean’s Office staff members David Ammon, Vanessa Beeson, Dominique Belcher, Karen Brasher, Sarah Busby, Darrell Sparks and Tiffney Williams.
In the student category, the top Best of Show was awarded to Glo Cubes: A Bright Campaign, developed by the MSU Department of Communication PRISM class.
Lantern Awards were given to PRISM students, who have since graduated, for the following:
-- Special Events: Student Money Management Center: MSU graduates Emily Anthony, Maryanna Morris and Annalise Rome.
-- Digital: Promoting Power of the Almond with Tasteful Tactics: MSU graduates Caroline Dewberry, Zoie Henson and Lucy Trew.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of Communication, visit www.cas.msstate.edu or www.comm.msstate.edu.
Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.
Sarah Nicholas | College of Arts and Sciences
