April 4, 2022
Laurel Ridge received a 2021 Paragon Award from the National Council for Marketing & Public Relations (NCMPR) at the council’s national conference in Denver last week.
The award came in the magazine category, and celebrates the college’s Communications and Planning Team’s work on the fall 2021 issue of “The Laureate.” The 48-page publication – which featured a message from Laurel Ridge President Kim Blosser, and articles on everything from members of the Class of 2021, to the G3 tuition assistance program, to new programs, to Sept. 11 remembrances, to college-community partnerships and so much more – earned a bronze award.
“I would like to congratulate the Communications and Planning Team for its hard work on ‘The Laureate,’” said Laurel Ridge Vice President of Communications and Planning Chris Coutts. “This award is especially remarkable as it came from the inaugural issue of the magazine. I know the team will continue to produce a quality publication, showcasing all of the wonderful students, faculty, staff, alumni and programs that make the college proud.”
More than 1,700 entries were submitted by 232 colleges to the 2021 Paragon Awards competition. Nearly 70 marketing and public relations professionals judged the entries, which came from across the U.S. and Canada.
“We are honored to recognize the outstanding work of community colleges across the country,” said Debra McGaughey, NCMPR’s 2021-22 president. “The creativity and hard work displayed in these winning entries is a testament to the talent and dedication of our members.”
NCMPR’s Paragon Awards recognize outstanding achievement in design and communication at community and technical colleges. It’s the only national competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and public relations professionals at two-year colleges.
Click here to read the Fall 2021 Laureate.
NCMPR, which is based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, is the professional development organization for community college communicators, serving more than 1,500 members from more than 470 colleges across the United States and Canada. It’s the only organization of its kind that exclusively represents marketing and public relations professionals at community and technical colleges.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.