Penn State University Students Win Gold Quill Award of Merit

A team of seven Penn State University students has earned a Gold Quill Award of Merit for a communication-based project aimed at empowering citizens in the Pittsburgh community of Homewood.

In a senior-level class project, Rebranding an Urban Community, the team developed a media toolkit for the citizens of Homewood, once a residence of industrialist Andrew Carnegie. The rebranding campaign focused on enhancing the community’s reputation to reach potential investors and encourage long-term economic and community development.  The team earned a Gold Quill Award of Merit in IABC’s communications training and education category for its work.

The winners include Taylor Fowler, Kristin Starke, Emily Shea, Terrance Edison, Sam Newhouse, Laica Clerge and Casey Weaver.

Renea Nichols, a senior lecturer in the Penn State University Department of Advertising and Public Relations, and member of IABC Harrisburg, conducted the 400-level class.

“I often have my class enter contests at the end of the semester if I feel the project was worthy,” she says. “This one was.”