UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Service Learning Marketing Project Winners Announced

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April 1, 2014

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

April 1, 2014

Students within this semester’s organizational communication class at The University of Texas at Tyler were recognized for their work in a service-learning marketing project, Dr. Scott Marzilli, assistant vice president for academic innovation and student success, announced.

Led by course instructor and assistant professor of communication Dr. Justin Velten, the class assisted the UT Tyler Center for Teaching Excellence and Innovation faculty fellows as well as the UT Tyler Office of Leadership and Service with marketing videos and promotional materials for the UT Tyler Give Back Program. The program, which allows UT Tyler student volunteers to track their service hours and become registered university volunteers, is a part of the university’s initiative to enhance its community service and service learning efforts.

University officials serving as judges reviewed student proposals and awarded first place and runner-up teams cash prizes in the amount of $250 for their outstanding work and service to the university.

First place team members are Jenna Hauck of Wills Point, Ryann Warner of Tyler, Sarah Draper of Whitehouse, Samuel McCurry of Tyler and Lauren Barnes of Tyler.

Runner-up team members are Jennifer Peak of Spring, Alec Bryant of Paris, Rhiannon Holmes of Kilgore, Josh White of Tatum and Dallas Flick of Aubrey.

“I am really proud of the work these students produced. Each group’s professional presentation and materials will well serve the university’s service-learning initiative,” Velten said.

Winning teams’ marketing materials will be implemented this summer.

“Service learning is so important to me as a student. This project to promote the service-learning program has opened my mind to other possibilities for my education,” Draper said. “Service learning is getting education and work experience outside the classroom. That is the ultimate education a student can get because we are able to apply our knowledge from the classroom and gain real work experience.”

Contest judges were Dr. William Geiger, vice provost; Dr. Colleen Marzilli, assistant professor of nursing; and Dr. Nary Subramanian, assistant professor of computer science. Geiger oversees the initiative. Colleen Marzilli and Subramanian serve as the service learning fellows for the center.

For more information, contact Velten, 903.566.7095 or jvelten@uttyler.edu.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.