NWOSU Logo in white
  • Academics
  • Future Rangers
  • About
  • Athletics
  • Resources
    • Student
      • Email Access
      • Canvas
      • Course Schedules
      • Helpful Videos
      • Library Services
      • Self-Service
      • Student Services
      • University Calendar
      • 1098-T Forms
    • Employee
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • Self-Service
    • University Calendar
    • Visitors
  • University News
  • Academics
  • Future Rangers
  • About
  • Athletics
  • Resources
    • Student
      • Email Access
      • Canvas
      • Course Schedules
      • Helpful Videos
      • Library Services
      • Self-Service
      • Student Services
      • University Calendar
      • 1098-T Forms
    • Employee
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • Self-Service
    • University Calendar
    • Visitors
  • University News
  • July 29, 2026
  • Sean Doherty

Northwestern University Relations Wins Grand Award for Social Media Presence at 2026 OCPRA Awards

Sean Doherty, Kelsey Martin and Valarie Case of Northwestern Oklahoma State University's University Relations department, each holding an acrylic award, stand in front of an Oklahoma College Public Relations Association backdrop at the 2026 OCPRA awards banquet at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant.
The University Relations Department at Northwestern Oklahoma State University won three awards at the OCPRA annual conference July 19-21 at Choctaw Casino and Resort. Pictured with their awards are (left to right) Sean Doherty, Kelsey Martin and Valarie Case. Not pictured: Corky (Hall) Rucker.

ALVA, Okla. — The Northwestern Oklahoma State University Relations department brought home three awards from the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) annual conference and awards banquet July 19-21 at Choctaw Casino and Resort in Durant.

Submissions are judged by third party professionals in the strategic communication field and are given at Grand, Excellence, and Achievement levels.

Grand Award: Best Social Media Presence (Small Team)

Valarie Case, assistant director of university relations; Sean Doherty, university relations specialist; Kelsey Martin, director of marketing and university relations; and Corky (Hall) Rucker, university relations intern and a 2026 media and communication graduate, earned the Grand Award in the Best Social Media Presence (Small Team) category.

The entry showcased their social media reel campaign during the spring semester for the university’s academic departments, along with other highlights during the 2025-2026 academic year.

Achievement Awards: Photography and Video

Case earned an Achievement Award for Promotional or Feature Photo (Small Team) for a group photo of Northwestern students used in publications and on the university’s website homepage.

Doherty also won an Achievement Award for Best Sports/Hype Video of a reel depicting the fun happening during the fall’s annual Meet the Rangers event at Ranger Field.

“I am incredibly proud of the work our team continuously produces, most of the time behind the scenes editing and creating,” Martin said. “They are videographers, photographers, copy editors, content creators, website editors and so much more. Winning these awards is a great way to honor the creation and implementation of our projects.”

About the OCPRA Competition

OCPRA received 622 entries from 36 institutions for its 55 categories.

Founded in 1969, OCPRA provides networking and professional development opportunities to staff working in public relations and associated fields at Oklahoma’s public and private colleges and universities. The organization hosts an annual conference and awards banquet each summer and a fall workshop for its 30 member institutions.

Learn more about the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association.

Contact Northwestern University Relations

  • Visit the Northwestern University Relations webpage
  • Email Northwestern University Relations

-NW-

Share:

More Posts

Jamie Niblett, Northwestern Oklahoma State University elementary education graduate, smiles while leading a lesson in a Ringwood Public Schools classroom

A Para’s Perspective: A Mother’s Mission to Her Own Classroom

A Para’s Perspective: A Mother’s Mission to Her Own Classroom Jamie Niblett smiles while working with students at Ringwood Elementary. ALVA, Oklahoma — Every journey

The 2025 Camp Ranger group of incoming Northwestern Oklahoma State University freshmen, all wearing red Camp Ranger T-shirts, poses in rows on the lawn in front of a bronze statue of a cowboy riding a bucking horse on the Alva campus.

Camp Ranger 2026 for Incoming Freshmen at Northwestern Set for July 30-Aug. 1

Camp Ranger 2026 for Incoming Freshmen at Northwestern Set for July 30-Aug. 1 The 2025 Camp Ranger group poses for a photo on the Northwestern-Alva

Five Northwestern Oklahoma State University employees, members of the Red-Hot Chili Steppers walking team, smile together on the steps outside the Administration Building on the Alva campus. Back row, left to right: Cheryl Ellis and Stacy Sanborn. Front row: Alexa Yost, Tara Hannaford and Jaime Johnson.

Northwestern Employees ‘Walk Around Oklahoma’ More Than 10 Times Over

Northwestern Employees ‘Walk Around Oklahoma’ More Than 10 Times Over Members of the Red-Hot Chili Steppers, the winning team in the J.R. Holder Wellness Center’s

A student in a red shirt works at a desktop computer in a classroom computer lab, with several other students visible at computer stations in the background.

Fall Enrollment for Northwestern Graduate Studies Open Until Aug. 25; Classes Begin Aug. 17

Fall Enrollment for Northwestern Graduate Studies Open Until Aug. 25; Classes Begin Aug. 17 Northwestern Oklahoma State University’s new Master of Business Administration program is

PrevPreviousA Para’s Perspective: A Mother’s Mission to Her Own Classroom
NWOSU Logo in white
  • 709 Oklahoma Blvd., Alva, OK 73717
  • Phone: (580) 327-1700
Navigation
  • Academics
  • Future Rangers
  • About
  • Athletics
  • Resources
    • Student
      • Email Access
      • Canvas
      • Course Schedules
      • Helpful Videos
      • Library Services
      • Self-Service
      • Student Services
      • University Calendar
      • 1098-T Forms
    • Employee
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • Self-Service
    • University Calendar
    • Visitors
  • University News
  • Academics
  • Future Rangers
  • About
  • Athletics
  • Resources
    • Student
      • Email Access
      • Canvas
      • Course Schedules
      • Helpful Videos
      • Library Services
      • Self-Service
      • Student Services
      • University Calendar
      • 1098-T Forms
    • Employee
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • Self-Service
    • University Calendar
    • Visitors
  • University News
Quick Links
  • University News
  • Online Application
  • Title IX Info
  • Sitemap
  • Employee Directory
Facebook X-twitter Instagram Snapchat Youtube Flickr Pinterest Linkedin

Mission Statement

Northwestern Oklahoma State University provides quality educational and cultural opportunities to learners with diverse needs by cultivating ethical leadership and service, critical thinking and fiscal responsibility.

RUSO logo in white

Privacy Policy | Powered by High Five Media

  • About
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Our Traditions
    • Strategic Plan
    • Employment
    • Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
    • University Relations
    • Enid Campus
    • Woodward Campus
  • Academics
    • Academic Calendar
    • Degree Options
    • Honors Program
    • School of Arts & Sciences
    • School of Professional Studies
    • Graduate Studies
    • Course Schedules
    • Course Rotations
    • Plans of Study
    • Paying For College
    • Study Abroad
  • Admissions
    • Apply
    • Visit Northwestern
    • Online Programs
    • Transfer Student Information
    • Office of Recruitment
    • Prospective Student Questionnaire
  • Student Life
    • Living on Campus
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Student Services
    • Academic Success Center
    • Library Services
    • Career Services
  • Resources
    • Email Access
    • Self-Service
    • Canvas
    • Library
    • NWOSU Bookstore
    • Campus Safety
  • Athletics
  • Alumni
  • About
    • History
    • Leadership
    • Our Traditions
    • Strategic Plan
    • Employment
    • Assessment and Institutional Effectiveness
    • University Relations
    • Enid Campus
    • Woodward Campus
  • Academics
    • Academic Calendar
    • Degree Options
    • Honors Program
    • School of Arts & Sciences
    • School of Professional Studies
    • Graduate Studies
    • Course Schedules
    • Course Rotations
    • Plans of Study
    • Paying For College
    • Study Abroad
  • Admissions
    • Apply
    • Visit Northwestern
    • Online Programs
    • Transfer Student Information
    • Office of Recruitment
    • Prospective Student Questionnaire
  • Student Life
    • Living on Campus
    • Clubs and Organizations
    • Student Services
    • Academic Success Center
    • Library Services
    • Career Services
  • Resources
    • Email Access
    • Self-Service
    • Canvas
    • Library
    • NWOSU Bookstore
    • Campus Safety
  • Athletics
  • Alumni