Ohio Northern University senior Lauren Staley, a communications and public relations major from Tipp City, Ohio, received the award for top undergraduate paper at the 78th annual Ohio Communications Association (OCA) Conference at Franklin University held Oct. 4-5.

Staley’s paper focused on research on Calvin Klein and the perception formed through the use of sex in advertising. Staley conducted this research as a part of her communications research class at ONU last spring. Staley was informed in advance that her paper had been chosen for presentation at the conference and was presented the award for the top undergraduate paper this past weekend.

The OCA is an organization that supports and encourages the work of communication scholars and practitioners in the state of Ohio. The theme for this year’s conference was “Capitalizing on Communications,” which celebrated how communication scholarship and practice are positioned to speak to and inform society. Each year at the conference, OCA presents awards for the top undergraduate and top graduate student paper, as well as for the top undergraduate and top graduate poster presentation.