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
    • Canvas
    • Self-Service
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • 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
    • Canvas
    • Self-Service
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • 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

Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole sits on a bench beside a dark wood grand piano, turned toward the camera and smiling. She wears a black long-sleeved top and trousers with gold hoop earrings and a gold bracelet. One arm rests along the top of the piano and her other hand rests near the keys. Sheet music sits on the music desk, and the background is a plain white wall in soft daylight.

Alexis Cole Jazz Trio Opens Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series Aug. 25 in Alva

Alexis Cole Jazz Trio Opens Northwest Oklahoma Concert Series Aug. 25 in Alva Jazz vocalist Alexis Cole performs with the Alexis Cole Jazz Trio on

Students, faculty and benefactors of the Wisdom Family Foundation Doctoral Program for Rural Nursing Practice stand in four rows on the steps of the President’s House at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Oklahoma, with an American flag at left.

Northwestern DNP Students Complete 2026 Summer Residency Training in Alva

Northwestern DNP Students Complete 2026 Summer Residency Training in Alva Students, faculty and benefactors of the Wisdom Family Foundation Doctoral Program for Rural Nursing Practice

Hadley Bohlen, Brayden Stoner and Austin Rankin stand behind red insulated food carriers, wearing serving gloves and flower leis, as they hand out free food to students on the lawn during the 2025 Aloha! Northwestern event at Northwestern Oklahoma State University. A brick residence hall and students at picnic tables are in the background.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Announces Fall 2026 Move-In and Howdy Week Dates

Northwestern Oklahoma State University Announces Fall 2026 Move-In and Howdy Week Dates Northwestern graduate Hadley Bohlen, left; former Student Government Association president and Northwestern graduate

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

PrevPreviousA Para’s Perspective: A Mother’s Mission to Her Own Classroom
NextNorthwestern Oklahoma State University Announces Fall 2026 Move-In and Howdy Week DatesNext
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
    • Canvas
    • Self-Service
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • 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
    • Canvas
    • Self-Service
    • Library Services
    • Parent and Family
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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