Spectrum - Volume 19 Issue 02 September 5, 1996 - Public-relations awards presented to two Tech women

A non-profit publication of the Office of the University Relations of Virginia Tech,
including The Conductor , a special section of the Spectrum printed 4 times a year

Public-relations awards presented to two Tech women

Spectrum Volume 19 Issue 02 - September 5, 1996

Two public-relations women at Virginia Tech have taken top awards in the annual communications contest sponsored by the National Federation of Press Women. Awards were announced recently in ceremonies at the NFPW communications conference in Charlotte, N.C.

Lynn Nystrom, director of news and external relations for the College of Engineering, won first place for caption writing for the college's annual report, Engineering Now. Other contributors to the winning report were Elizabeth Crumbley, public relations specialist; Barbara Corbett, designer; Pat White, university editor; and Rick Griffiths and Bob Veltri, photographers, all in University Relations.

Nystrom took third place for her work as faculty advisor to Collegiate Times, the university's student newspaper. She has advised the newspaper staff since 1978.

She also was the Virginia Press Women's nominee for the National Federation of Press Women's Communicator of the Year Award.

Clara B. Cox, manager of public-service communications in University Relations, received first place for editing a nonprofit magapaper, Virginia Issues & Answers. Other members of the magazine staff are Larry Hincker, executive editor; Meg Nugent, art director; Veltri, photography editor; and Harry Yeatts Jr., assistant editor, all in University Relations. Griffiths took the photograph used on the cover of the winning entry. The magazine, published twice yearly, looks at issues facing Virginia and suggests steps that public policymakers can take to address the issues.

Only first-place winners in state-affiliate contests are entered in the national competition, which drew 1,372 entries this year.

The National Federation of Press Women is an organization of working women and men journalists in all fields of communication: newspapers, public relations, advertising, radio, television, photography, book publishing, and education. It focuses on literacy, First Amendment issues, educational seminars, youth communications contests, college scholarships, and career development.