Center snags communications kudos

Communicating with the public is part of the Leopold Center's mission and winning national recognition for its efforts is just frosting on the cake.

In April the Center's 1997-98 Annual Report, written by Center editor Mary Adams and designed by Juls Design, Ankeny, garnered a national merit (second place) award in its category in the National Agricultural Marketing Association's "Best of NAMA" program in Atlanta. More than 1,500 entries were judged in the contest, which started with five regional competitions involving agricultural organizations, corporations and ad agencies. The report also was recognized in the Northeast Iowa Women in Communications (WIC) awards event in April where Julie Mangels of Juls Design received an "overall achievement" award for her work.

In June, the annual report will receive the top "gold" award in its category from the Agricultural Communicators in Education (ACE) contest during its international conference in Knoxville, Tennessee. Mangels will receive an "Outstanding Professional Skill" award, recognizing her work as best of all entries in the one- to three-color print media category.

In addition, Leopold Center editor Laura Miller will receive ACE's prestigious "Pioneer" award, which recognizes communicators who demonstrate exceptional leadership and technical skills, and make significant contributions to ACE. Miller will be a co-recipient of the honor along with Tom Jirik from North Dakota State University. Miller becomes the first Iowan to win the honor since 1985. ACE membership comes primarily from land grant universities like Iowa State University.