News

FVSU agricultural communicators earn awards from an international organization

by Russell Boone


Posted on Jun 27, 2023


(From left to right) Latasha Ford,, ChaNae' Bradley and Russell Boone Jr. of FVSU's Agricultural Communications Department earn awards at the 2023 Association for Communications Excellence (ACE) Conference

(From left to right) Latasha Ford,, ChaNae' Bradley and Russell Boone Jr. of FVSU's Agricultural Communications Department earn awards at the 2023 Association for Communications Excellence (ACE) Conference

Employees of Fort Valley State University’s Agricultural Communications Department recently received honors for their work.

The Association for Communication Excellence (ACE) in Agriculture, Natural Resources and Life and Human Sciences, held its 2023 Conference in Asheville, North Carolina June 11-13. Russell Boone Jr., ChaNaè Bradley and Latasha Ford earned five awards for publications and writing.

Boone, public information editor and writer, won silver awards in two categories which include Writing for a Magazine and Writing for a Diverse Audience. Bradley, senior communications specialist, won a bronze award for Annual and Special Reports with Boone and graphic designer Jeff Brothers. In addition, Ford, research communications manager, earned a bronze award for Writing for a Diverse Audience and another bronze award in Technology Education for the Writer’s Playground program with FVSU colleagues Dr. Yolanda Surrency, Brothers, Ervin Williams and Jerry Oglesby, and James Hall Jr. of Ashburn, Georgia.

“Earning an award from ACE is always exciting and honorable,” Bradley said. “We put a considerable amount of time into developing our publications and content used to communicate the impacts of our Extension programming and agricultural research projects. I always find the critiques useful and beneficial to my work and improvement as a communications professional,” the senior communications specialist said.

Ford also expressed gratitude in receiving kudos from ACE. “Our Agricultural Communications Department appreciates the opportunity to highlight our outstanding Wildcat students, alumni, research projects and Extension programs on this valuable platform. As longtime members of ACE, our communications team continues to build connections and learn from other professionals, develop innovative ideas through training, and support the organization by sharing our expertise and serving in leadership roles,” said the research communications manager.

“To represent FVSU and win awards from ACE is a rewarding experience,” Boone said. “I feel that being honored by your peers in the communications profession is a testament to your abilities and enhances the reputation of our agricultural communications operation on a national level. That goes a long way in helping us promote the programs, individuals and clients associated with FVSU’s College of Agriculture and Cooperative Extension Program,” he said.

In addition to earning awards, Bradley and Ford both serve in leadership roles for the ACE Board of Directors. Bradley serves as president elect and Ford serves as director of member services.

ACE is composed of professionals practicing all facets of communications. The organization provides a chance for professional development and networking for individuals involved in promoting knowledge about agriculture, natural resources, and life and human sciences.

To learn more about the organization, visit aceweb.org.


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