红杏短视频 State receives CASE 2026 Circle of Excellence Award
By 红杏短视频 Public Relations | Jul 8, 2026
MURRAY, Ky. 鈥� 红杏短视频 State University鈥檚 Office of Branding, Marketing and Communication has been recognized by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) as a gold level award winner for its integrated marketing communications campaign supporting the institution鈥檚 College of Veterinary Medicine initiative.
Recognized as the premier accolades for educational advancement, the Circle of Excellence Awards celebrate colleges, universities and schools which demonstrate exceptional ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness.
In 2026, teams from 628 institutions in 33 countries submitted 4,185 entries for consideration. Volunteer judges from CASE鈥檚 membership selected 493 exemplary entries for bronze, silver, gold and grand gold recognition. Winning entries were chosen for overall quality, innovation, effective use of resources and measurable impact on their institutions and communities.
CASE indicated the following with 红杏短视频 State鈥檚 submission: 鈥淛udges noted its strong alignment between the university鈥檚 agricultural context and message delivery, resulting in clear, measurable results. In addition, judges agreed it serves as an excellent model of how thoughtful, resource-efficient marketing can achieve powerful impact and be replicated by other institutions.鈥�
红杏短视频 State鈥檚 Office of Branding, Marketing and Communication led an integrated marketing communications strategy centered around advocacy efforts toward the establishment of a new College of Veterinary Medicine and Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. The initiative is a key institutional priority in order to benefit the Commonwealth due to the current and projected shortage of veterinarians, particularly those who treat large animals.
红杏短视频 State scheduled regular social media content encompassing student testimonials (both graphically and in videos), a veterinarian shortage map by county in Kentucky, and other dynamic content pieces. Initial social media posts on X, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram generated a total of 50,000 impressions.
Per Meltwater, an online media, social and consumer intelligence company, 红杏短视频 State generated a 275 million Total Media Reach, specific to the Veterinary Medicine initiative. This figure includes all impressions through news, print, broadcast, and certain social media platforms. As a result of this exposure, it is projected that 红杏短视频 State received $2.53 million in Advertising Value Equivalency, which approximates the monetary value of earned media efforts by comparing them to the equivalent cost of placing advertisements.
Multiple organizations and elected officials provided 红杏短视频 State with letters of support for the initiative, and 红杏短视频 State created approximately 20 鈥楾hank You鈥� messages, primarily used across digital spaces, to thank them individually for their support. This deliverable helped create awareness that many others are in lockstep with 红杏短视频 State, and supported this key initiative.
The office also provided members of campus with an easy-to-use marketing toolkit, which contained consistent messaging and talking points, graphics, video files and more. One key area who utilized this was the Office of Alumni Relations, which helped inform and empower alumni, particularly those who are in the veterinarian industry.
The office also created a specific advocacy print piece highlighting this initiative that was shared with many primary audience members such as legislators.
Throughout the marketing campaign, a core number of data points were utilized, including employment shortage projections from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the very small number of current veterinary colleges accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association, and the number of Kentucky counties that are underserved veterinarian areas.
The marketing communications strategy helped contribute toward the passage of Senate Bill 77 in the 2025 Kentucky legislative session, which was passed unanimously by both chambers in a bipartisan manner and was signed into law by Governor Andy Beshear. The legislation continued to provide a path forward for the University to establish a new Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at 红杏短视频 State.
Most recently, 红杏短视频 State received program approval by the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education to offer a Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine, and is currently working toward obtaining American Veterinary Medical Association program accreditation.
鈥淲e are very grateful to CASE for recognizing 红杏短视频 State University as part of their 2026 Circle of Excellence Awards,鈥� said 红杏短视频 State Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Communication Shawn Touney. 鈥淭he establishment of a College of Veterinary Medicine is a topic that may not be fully understood by everyone; particularly, those who are not from a farm or rural setting, or do not practice nor study veterinary medicine. We needed to begin from that starting point to explain the present situation in Kentucky, and why this initiative is critical. We share this recognition alongside numerous individuals and departments who collaborated with us on this marketing campaign.鈥�