Jacob Sircy, webmaster and videographer for East Central University’s Office of Communications and Marketing, was recently named the winner of the 2018 Randy Talley Rising Star Award at the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) Fall Conference in Oklahoma City.
Sircy, who earned his undergraduate degree in mass media from ECU in 2011, was the ringleader in ECU launching its new university website late last summer. He has also displayed his videography skills in developing television commercials along with recruitment and fundraising videos for ECU.
“I was completely shocked when they announced my name,” Sircy said. “The new website is a constant work in progress. I want to give kudos to everyone who has helped update the site. It’s a living, breathing and ever-changing thing that requires participation and cooperation from everyone.”
Amy Ford, ECU vice president for institutional advancement, praised Sircy for displaying such qualities as being a self-starter, dedicated, problem-solver, deadline-oriented and a team player.
“Jacob was able to launch a new website with zero web experience in about a year,” said ECU Vice President for Institutional Advancement Amy Ford. “In a little over a year, Jacob worked with student workers and a third party to successfully launch the largest recruitment and fundraising tool we have at ECU.”
The Randy Talley Rising Star Award is presented to rising communications, marketing and public relations professionals working at Oklahoma higher education institutions. The award is named in honor of Randy Talley, who served as a role model or numerous students and developing professionals during his tenure as director of media and community relations for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma and his more than 20 years as a member of the Board of Directors of OCPRA.
Professionals selected for the Randy Talley Rising Star Award have demonstrated creativity, innovation, advocacy, expertise and integrity in their field of work reflective of those modeled by the award’s namesake. Emphasis in selecting an individual for the Rising Star distinction is placed on accomplishments within the past year.
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