Penn College Honored for TV Series, Other Marketing Materials

Materials that help spread the reputation of Pennsylvania College of Technology a national public television cooking series, an interactive marketing DVD and a broadcast commercial have been honored in a global competition that recognizes excellence in visual communication.

"In today's world, visual communication is crucial in marketing," said Elaine J. Lambert, director of college information and community relations. "Our in-house team puts great emphasis on establishing visual images that depict the applied technology education focus that makes Penn College unique."

The 2004 Communicator Awards mark the fifth year in a row that "Pennsylvania's premier technical college" has been honored in the contest, with entries that have continually reflected and boldly kept pace with the ever-changing technology across its campuses.

It also is the second consecutive year that the "You're the Chef" series has earned the contest's highest tribute: the Crystal Award of Excellence. That honor, won by only about 14 percent of entries worldwide, is presented to those "whose ability to communicate elevates them among the best in the field."

"Awards of Distinction," presented to about 18 percent of entrants for projects that "exceed industry standards in production or communication skills," went to:

• Penn College's marketing DVD, which was developed in-house by a team of professionals from the Offices of Admissions, College Information and Community Relations, Instructional Technology and Distance Learning, and Information Technology Services. The DVD is sent to student prospects, school guidance counselors and others to increase awareness of Penn College's innovative "degrees that work."
• A television commercial promoting Visitation Day, prepared by Christopher J. Leigh, digital media developer. The commercial was shown outside the local area, in markets including Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Harrisburg, Johnstown/Altoona and Allentown.

"You're the Chef's" seventh-season premiere, "Appetizing Artichokes," was submitted for this year's competition. During the episode, hosts Chef Paul Mach, an assistant professor in the College's School of Hospitality, and Tom Speicher, broadcast productions coordinator, shop for artichokes at Wegmans of Williamsport; and make two dishes (Sauteed Beef Tenderloin Tips with Artichokes, Tomatoes, Mushrooms and Kalijira Rice and Stuffed Artichokes). Also, Hospitality student Rachel Hall, Altoona, hosts a "Cooking Key" segment on artichokes.

"You're the Chef" is produced by Penn College in conjunction with WVIA Public Television. The winning episode was directed and edited by WVIA's Kris Hendrickson. "Obviously, it's a tremendous honor to receive a Crystal Award of Excellence in the informational programming category two years in a row," said Speicher, who also serves as co-executive producer of "You're the Chef." "The award really is a testament to the College's support of the series, Chef Paul's talents, the wonderful students who work on the show and the outstanding production team from WVIA."

"You're the Chef" airs Saturdays and Sundays at 12:30 p.m. on WVIA. In northcentral Pennsylvania, the series is broadcast by WPSX on Saturdays at 11:30 a.m. Since going national in the winter of 2001, "You're the Chef" has been seen in nearly half the country.Also attracting notice was Penn College's "degrees that work" DVD, earlier heralded by Dr. Davie Jane Gilmour, College president, as "one of the best pieces of work we have ever seen."

"The Communicator Award is a credit to a creative and technical team that worked tirelessly to put out a product that really reflects the best of what Penn College is about," said Jennifer McLean, director of instructional technology and distance learning. "Receiving the Communicator is particularly rewarding this year, since this is the first time we've used the DVD format in our marketing materials."

The College won a Communicator Award in 2001 for the DVD's predecessor, a CD-ROM produced to replace the then-traditional videocassette. Both honor the College's commitment to cutting-edge technology, while speaking the language of a computer-proficient generation.

"The greatest strength of the marketing DVD is that Penn College students are the 'stars,'" McLean added. "They speak directly to prospective students about their experiences here."

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