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MILLIGAN, Tenn. (March 4, 2021) —A group of Milligan University students and recent alumni were recognized for their creativity at the American Advertising Federation Northeast Tennessee (AAF NETN) Awards held virtually on Friday, Feb. 26. Collectively, the group earned eight ADDY® Awards, including Student Best of Show and two Judge’s Choice Awards, for creative work produced in 2020.
The American Advertising Awards honor the best and most creative advertising work from students and professionals in advertising. Awards are presented in three levels: local, district and national. Winners in each level are qualified to compete in higher levels.
Taylor Williams, a 2020 fine arts graduate from Greeneville, Tennessee, won a Gold ADDY and Student Best of Show in cinematography for his short film, “In a Good Light.”
Amy Shumaker, of Bristol, Tennessee, was recognized with a Judge’s Choice Award for her theatre poster design. The Judge’s Choice Award is an optional award given to entries the judges feel deserve recognition beyond an ADDY. Shumaker graduated in May 2020 with a double major in graphic design and fine arts in photography.
Junior Jenneh Massallay, of Gray, Tennessee, earned a Gold ADDY and Judge’s Choice Award for her black and white photography. Junior Chase Farler, of Tullahoma, Tennessee, also was recognized for his black and white photography, earning a Silver ADDY.
Senior Logan Mink, of Mountain City, Tennessee, received a Gold ADDY for his color photography.
A Silver ADDY was presented to a group of students and alumni for their poster campaign, “Two Cats + A Herd of Buffalo.” Senior Sydney Rhoton, of Gray, Tennessee, served as lead designer on the collaborative project and was joined by Mink; senior Seth Hice, Elizabethton, Tennessee; junior Sarah Greer, Morristown, Tennessee; junior Lake Myers, Knoxville, Tennessee; and recent alumni Ashlyn Lightfoot, Orlando, Florida; Cora Wymer, Johnson City, Tennessee; and Graham Denton, Lenoir City, Tennessee.
“I am proud of our students’ success in this year’s competition, which reflects on the strength of Milligan’s communications, photography, cinema, graphic design and interactive media programs,” said Art Brown, associate professor of communications. “This experience provides opportunities for student work to be seen and recognized by marketing and creative professionals in our region. Our students have worked hard to overcome the limitations and challenges of creating their best work during a global pandemic. Their determination and tenacity will serve them well as they become the artists, communicators, filmmakers and designers of tomorrow.”
As one of the industry’s largest creative competitions, nearly 35,000 professionals and students enter the America Advertising Awards competition each year.
Milligan offers an array of academic programs in the performing, visual and communicative arts, including communications, fine arts and graphic design. For more information, visit www.milligan.edu/PVC.