Avila IABC Wins Big: seven students awarded with a Bronze Quill Award

Avila's IABC student chapter celebrated a
recent accomplishment. For the first time in
chapter history every Avila entry in 2010 Bronze
Quill Awards has won an award.
A total of 7 students will be awarded a
Bronze Quill or an Award of Merit. In past years
students/IABC members have entered, and each
year a few students walk away
with awards. However, this year
every student will be recognized
for his or her hard work.
The honored winners are: David
Matheny, Trisha Simmons, Valerie
Reed, Brittany Strelluf, Kalie
Laidley, Brooke McNally & Michele
Watley.
The Bronze Quill Awards
recognizes communication
professionals, and students, for
their excellence in developing and
executing business communication
programs. Winning entries feature
clear objectives supporting the
organization's goals, creative communication
strategies and effective, measurable results.
Communication Professor Linda Strelluf
says "No matter how brilliant an idea is it is
worthless unless it can be clearly and concisely
shared with others. Effective communication is
crucial in academics, in organizations, and in the
community." Awards are especially important to
a young person. "Students coming out of college
are facing a tough job market. Anyone can claim
to be successful. Winning an award, like the
Bronze Quill or the Award of Merit, provides
independent validation that our students have
learned the strategies necessary to be an effective
communicator."
Winning a Bronze Quill or an Award of Merit
is not easy; entries are judged by seasoned IABC
members from chapters across the United States.
The standards are rigorous. Winners are truly
"best in class."
Ken Groh, Director of Awards
for IABC/Chicago and Principal
of Groh & Associates, had this
to say: "A Bronze Quill Award
offers proof that an outstanding
communication program or
project has helped an employer
succeed…"
The Award of Merit and
Bronze Quill winners will
receive their awards officially on
May 7, 2010 during the annual
Bronze Quill Awards Gala. Plans
to earn more awards are already
in the making. President of the Avila IABC
chapter, Trisha Simmons, believes that this year's
wins will bring change in the year to come. "Next
year I hope that IABC is even more successful.
I want to encourage more students to enter; we
have the ability to win more awards. I hope that
students will be