Pitt State Graphics and Communication students win big in elite advertising competition 

Pittsburg State University students majoring in Graphic Communications and Communication came home with 39 medals from this year’s American Advertising Awards, or ADDYs, held at Downstream Casino.  

Created as an opportunity to recognize and reward creative excellence in the art of advertising, the ADDYs have become the industry’s largest and most respected competition.  

The awards are like a gold star on a resumé, according to Professor Christel Benson, because they make graduates even more attractive to recruiters. 

Six students earned Gold ADDY Awards and will advance to the District competition: 

• • Colleen Boyd, Graphic Communications, for her work as a creative director, graphic designer, illustrator, photographer, motion graphic designer, and 3D graphics designer 
• • Emma Reaves, Graphic Communications, for her work as an illustrator, graphic designer, print production, packaging designer, and photographer 
• • Mahsa Dehghan, Graphic Communications, for her work on motion graphics and graphic design 
• • Peyton Simpson, Graphic Communications, for his work as a graphic designer, animator, motion graphics, audio engineer, and writer 
• • William Wei, Communication, for his work as a producer 

Additionally, 28 Graphic Communications students and 1 Communication student earned Silver awards, and two Graphic Communications students earned Special Judges’ awards. 

A Professional Silver award was given to Professor Chris Huitt for a poster series he designed that is now displayed in the northeast hallway of the KTC. 

The GC Marketing Committee, which included Dehghan, also won a Silver award for the new program marketing materials. 

Also in attendance were parents and faculty, including Benson, Traci Hughes (event coordinator and AAF Heartland President), Chris Huitt, Jason Reid, Doug Younger, and Chauncey Huffman, as well as many award-winning graphics professionals who networked with students. Pitt State President Dan Shipp also was in attendance.

Learn more about Pitt State Graphic Communications and Communications.