Radford University Graphic Design Students Dominate Regional ADDY Awards, Earning 14 Honors

Radford, VA (03/03/2025) — Eight Radford University graphic design students earned 14 of the prestigious student regional honors ADDY awards presented at the Western Virginia American Advertising Awards Gala in Roanoke on Feb. 25.

The annual awards competition, which honors the best in professional advertising, had 62 student entries from Radford, Virginia Tech, Liberty University and James Madison University. Radford students won 14 of the 19 awards, Judges Choice and Best in Show. Winners will go on to compete in the American Advertising Federation district competition.

"These awards are recognition of the talent, dedication and hours of hard work put in by our students," said Assistant Professor of Graphic Design John O'Connor. "We are very proud of them as well as the Radford alumni who won in the professional category."

Radford Addy winners were:

Student Best of Show: Alexandra Rodriguez, for Speak Up
Student Judges Choice: Jenna Repass, for Burpee Seeds
Student Gold ADDY: Jenna Repass, for Burpee Seeds
Student Gold ADDY: Isabella Walsh, for Olive Garden
Student Silver ADDY: Isabella Walsh, for Kilt Guilt Scottish Ale
Student Silver ADDY: McKinna Huffman, for Kilt Guilt Scottish Ale
Student Silver ADDY: McKinna Huffman, for Lipton Tea
Student Silver ADDY: Alexis Gunnell, for Kilt Guilt Scottish Ale
Gold Student ADDY: McKinna Huffman, for No Oscar for Barbie
Student Silver ADDY: Grace James, for Inspired
Student Gold ADDY: Gabrielle Parton, for The Trojan Women
Student Silver ADDY: Jude Jungmann, for Judy Moody and Stink
Student Silver ADDY: Isabella Walsh, for Karen's Hot Sauce
Student Gold ADDY: Alexandra Rodriguez, for Speak Up

Six Radford alumni also claimed awards at the event. Those winners were:

Keri Stegall Davis '19 at Virginia International Raceway
Ben Smith '06 at Branch
Michael Goodson '15 at Virginia Tech Dining Services
David Hodge '83 at Anstey-Hodge Advertising Group
Rachel DeBusk '14 at Virginia Tech/Principal Partnerships Office
Peggy Underwood '88 at Pratt Roanoke

"It's gratifying for everyone in our program to see our students' talent and hard work recognized by the professional advertising community," said Ken Smith, professor of graphic design.