FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                          September 20, 2006 

NORTHWESTERN KICKS OFF ‘RIDE WITH PRIDE’ CAMPAIGN 

            “Ride with Pride,” a new year-long campaign at Northwestern Oklahoma State University, kicked off Wednesday.

            Dr. Janet Cunningham, university president, said that upon becoming president in July, one of her short-term goals was to develop a plan to build university pride among Northwestern employees, students, alumni and friends.

            “We have much to be proud about at Northwestern, and we need to showcase the great things that are occurring at our campuses,” Cunningham said.

            “Pride is a very contagious thing, in that it can be easily shared,” she said. “If we demonstrate pride in Northwestern, that pride will spread to our current student body, our alumni and prospective students. You can sense pride, so it is important that when visitors walk on our campuses they experience a real feeling of Ranger pride.”

            Coordinated by the Office of University Relations, this campaign is intended to help foster this sense of pride. Although it is scheduled to end in May 2007, it is hoped that this return to Ranger pride will last forever.

            Steve Valencia, associate vice president for university relations, said this campaign will feature the following six elements:

1. Visual Identity – The campaign will feature a “Ride with Pride” logo that will be used on a variety of promotional materials.
2. Special Events – Special promotional events will be scheduled.
3. Red and Black Fridays – University employees, students and friends will be encouraged to wear red and black clothing on Fridays.
4. Communications – The basic theme of school pride will be incorporated into university communications.
5. Points of Pride – Points of Pride will be an ongoing advertising campaign that will showcase members of the university community whose accomplishments bring recognition to Northwestern.
6. A Northwestern November – A special mini-campaign will bring attention to numerous high-profile events including homecoming, the college rodeo, employee recognition activities and the start of basketball season.

            Cunningham welcomes support for this campaign from the Northwestern family, as well as the university’s friends in the communities which Northwestern serves.

            “I hope that you will become an active participant in this campaign to share Ranger pride by participating in ‘Ride with Pride’ activities, looking for opportunities to show your support of Northwestern, or by suggesting additional ways to foster pride. Working together, we can build a more successful Northwestern by laying a foundation of university pride.”

            Specially produced “Ride with Pride” campaign yard signs have been created and will soon be appearing on campus and in the community.

            Valencia said that if anyone would like to place a sign in their yard to help promote pride in Northwestern, please call the office at (580) 327-8482 or send e-mail to publicrelations@nwosu.edu.

-NW-

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