Ohio Northern University’s student-run firm, True North Public Relations, took first place in a competition sponsored by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to promote state parks in the Northern Ohio area.

The competition called for teams to create promotional video and audio spots to be used regionally by the department. The students who participated on the project will be recognized at a ceremony on Feb. 20.

Matt Comer, wildlife biologist with the ODNR, stated, “This is the first time I have been asked to organize a venture like this, and working with the ONU team on this project has been a wonderful experience.

The dedication, professionalism and quality of the final product have proven that this firm has the knowledge, skill and expertise that we were looking for when we sent out invitations to be part of this challenge”

“The product our ONU students delivered is professional, creative and a great example of the high-caliber talent our students possess,” said Dr. Kathie Fleck, TrueNorth PR’s faculty adviser. “We sincerely appreciate ODNR inviting us to participate in this project and the opportunity to help our team further develop their skills in a real-world setting.”

ONU students from across disciplines teamed up for the commercial competition. The electronic broadcasting department offered the use of its facilities and equipment to film the television commercial and record the radio commercial.

Theatre majors also participated in the project by voice acting for the radio commercial.

ONU students who participated in the event were Lauren Tennet, a senior communication arts major from Houston, Texas; Katie Hozan, a senior communication arts major from Homerville, Ohio; Candace Kaiser, a junior communication arts major from Bryan, Ohio; and Kathlyn Johnson, a sophomore communication arts major from Forest Ohio. Tyler Burnett, a junior sport management major from Elida, Ohio, handled the video editing, sound recording and editing duties.

Voice work for the audio and video spots was provided by Layne Schneider, a senior communication arts major from Dayton, Ohio; Jim Scofield, a senior communication arts major from Sugar Land, Texas; Zane Sade, a junior theatre arts major from Churubusco, Ind.; Hayley Reynolds, a senior theatre arts major from Sylvania, Ohio; and Sarah Novak, a junior theatre arts major from Floyd Knobs, Ind.