CU wins 'Best of Show' in public relations competition
- by Kelli Colbenson: Newswriting Student

Cameron’s Government and Community Relations Department earned some bragging rights this summer.
 Keith Mitchell and his public relations staff were awarded Best of Show at this year’s Oklahoma College Public Relations Association award competition. Cameron competed head-to-head with public and private universities from across the state and brought eight awards home.                

Cameron won the Best of Show award for an invitation announcing the Center for Emerging Technology and Entrepreneurial Studies construction. Mitchell designed a mail-out that included a pair of work gloves and an announcement in the shape of a construction sign that invited community leaders to bring along the gloves and join in the CETES renovation. This unique invitation also won the Grand Award in the Bright Idea category.

Since Mitchell’s arrival at Cameron in 1996, he has been actively involved with the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association, even serving as president for the 2002-2003 term. This year’s entries were the most awarded since Mitchell and his staff started participating in 1997. Mitchell said Cameron has been “very fortunate over the past few years,” pointing out that Cameron has won some type of award almost every year.

Mitchell is very enthusiastic about his involvement with these award-winning projects. The OCPRA awards are very special because “we all participate together,” he said. Mitchell is also quick to point out that Cameron alumni, Jon Horinek, “gets a lot of credit for this success.” His eye for detail gave Cameron an edge over the competition.

Several of Horinek’s projects earned honors as well. Horinek’s story about Cameron alumni Buck and Irene Clements in the inaugural issue of Cameron Magazine won a Grand Award in the full-length feature category. Horinek also won an Award of Excellence for the Cameron student handbook and an award of achievement for the Cameron University Alumni Association’s 2003 Reunion promotion poster. He received honorable mention for an ad he designed for the current Lawton/Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s membership directory.

Mitchell said each of these projects was not only award-winning but served a purpose for Cameron and the community. Cameron was able to showcase their talents and accomplish some tasks in the process. Cameron Magazine is used to “enhance communication with alumni,” Mitchell said. Mitchell also said that the CETES announcement was an “innovative and eye-catching way to involve the community in Cameron’s growth. These projects help Cameron to raise visibility in the community.” Mitchell said.

Cameron’s performance at this year’s OCPRA contest was Cameron’s best showing ever. Mitchell said he is very proud of the showing, calling this year’s performance a “real confidence builder.”

Due to Cameron’s performance, Lawton, surrounding communities and the realm of public relations will experience an increased sense of prestige.

Competing with private universities who have more resources at their disposal and competing with larger schools such as OU and is never easy. However, Mitchell and his staff proved that money cannot buy success.