“When you leave this room, everything changes,” said
Frostburg State University President Jonathan Gibralter at the end of his
annual fall convocation speech on Friday, September 27. However, that was an
understatement because everything changed the second he stepped away from the
podium to make way for the debut of the new university marketing campaign and
tagline, “One University. A World of Experiences.”
A new video showing students, alumni, faculty, and staff
discussing the university’s strong points of experiential learning,
sustainability, and affordability debuted and served as the official launch of
the campaign. At its conclusion, the audience joyously applauded as Gibralter
threw open the doors of the Alice R. Manicur Assembly hall to reveal a
celebration in honor of the new campaign.
All of Lane University Center had been transformed into a
festival that included workers dressed in fresh new shirts proudly displaying
the new tagline along with games, cheerleaders, the mascot, the marching band,
new promotional materials, and free food and prizes. During the celebration,
members from all areas of the FSU community, both past and present, were around
mingling and showing their Bobcat Pride.
“It’s hard to describe the energy, enthusiasm, and positive
response to the rollout,” said Rosemary Thomas, Vice President of University
Advancement, during the celebration. “It is definitely Frostburg State
University’s time to shine.”
While the video and new tagline are getting people talking,
it is important to note that the new campaign runs much deeper than the face
value of these new promotional ideas. The true value of the campaign is
celebrating the FSU brand. As Gibralter stated, “a brand is not simply a logo
or a slogan—it’s a connection, a feeling that resonates with everyone when they
think about an institution.”
Connections to the university were very prominent during
convocation. Twitter was buzzing throughout with attendees commenting on how
much they love FSU, and the following celebration was consumed with discussions
of just how amazing the university truly is. Students like sophomore Samantha
Metz felt a renewed pride in FSU. “I’m really excited for my future years here,
as well as for future students,” said Metz.
Convocation’s big news was easily the launch of the new
campaign; however, the launch should not overshadow the points of pride
discussed early during the event. Before the big unveil, convocation started
with a recognition of employees who had recently been awarded tenure along with
those who were recipients of the FSU staff awards for excellence.
The FSU Staff Awards for Excellence, which are funded through
the FSU Foundation, are given each year to one employee falling in each of the
following categories: exempt, nonexempt, and non-exempt
employee/facilities-maintenance. The honorees in each of the categories respectively
were Jeff Graham, associate dean of
students; Lynn Davis, senior administrative assistant, and David Wiland,
housekeeper.
In addition to the staff awards for excellence, Lois Bennett
was recognized for receiving the University System of Maryland Board of Regents
2013 Regents Staff Award. Bennett serves as an administrative assistant for the
Programs Advancing Student Success, Disability Supports Services and Registrar’s
Office.
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