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The School of Art and Campus Recreation were among the winners of Illinois State’s first-ever #RedbirdProud Social Media Awards, University Marketing and Communications announced April 21.

The winners were recognized at UMC’s 2nd annual Social Media Workshop, hosted at the Alumni Center. The new awards program recognizes the best uses of social media at Illinois State by faculty and staff members representing their units, spread across five categories. More than 25 nominations were submitted for work created during the fall 2014 and spring 2015 semesters.

RedbirdProud Social Media Awards logo“We’ve seen dozens of new social media accounts created across campus over the last year. Many university content creators are developing innovative new ways of engaging our social media audiences,” said Brian Beam, UMC’s executive director. “UMC wants to encourage the sharing of these ideas with other practitioners across Illinois State, and acknowledge those who are really creating extraordinary work with limited resources. Sharing the best of the best ideas can only strengthen the engagement and social media influence of the University.”

The inaugural winners of the #RedbirdProud Social Media Awards are below. To follow these units, visit Illinois State’s Social Media Directory.

Best overall use of social media (academic unit): School of Art
Honorable mention: College of Education

“The School of Art made huge strides in the past year, taking its fans and followers inside classrooms and studios on campus, and to alumni exhibitions around the country. They took full advantage of the amazing visual opportunities within their school, and then told real Redbird stories using those images.”

Best overall use of social media (non-academic unit): Campus Recreation
Honorable mention: Athletics

“Campus Recreation puts it all together. Combining great photos and high-quality graphics, they make the Student Fitness Center and other Campus Rec activities come alive through their social channels. Meanwhile, Campus Rec’s Sport Clubs accounts provide a real-time stream of information about the dozens of sport clubs on campus, complete with photos and scores.”

Most innovative use of social media: Reggie Redbird
Honorable mention: College of Education (Giving Tuesday), School of Communication Academic Advising Center (Duck Hunt Challenge)

“The Reggie Redbird persona strikes a perfect balance between playful and informative, reeling in fans with funny photos while also promoting upcoming Athletics events. A partnership between Athletics staff and students, Reggie’s Facebook and Twitter accounts match his personality to perfection.”

Most improved social media (any unit): Honors Program
Honorable mention: College of Education, University Galleries

“The Honors Program has taken their social channels to the next level this year by empowering students to join the conversation. From photo contests to Honors hashtags, they’ve found new and authentic ways of showing what it’s like to be an exceptional Honors student here at ISU.”

Best new social media account (created within past year): Financial Aid Office

“Financial Aid has done a tremendous job in the past year of both creating their own content, using the Stories system, and sharing interesting scholarship and deadline information from other places.”

Visit the UMC website for information about the 2016 awards.

Questions? Contact Ryan Denham, UMC’s online communications coordinator.

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