Colorado State, Du and Strategic Advantage Honored with International Association of Business Communicators Award

The University of Denver, Strategic Advantage Communications and Colorado State University will be honored with the 2003 Distinguished Communicator Award given by the International Association of Business Communicators of Colorado at a ceremony today.

The award recognizes Strategic Advantage Communications, the University of Denver and Colorado State for developing, executing and publicizing the "Bridges to the Future" program.

"Bridges to the Future: American History and Values in Light of September 11th" is a statewide project co-sponsored by Colorado State and the University of Denver to encourage exploration and greater understanding of American history and values. The collaboration created a framework of quality programs and stimulating engagements to inspire the communities of Colorado to remember, to understand and to renew or reframe fundamental public value commitments.

"We have been following and participating in the program during the past year and are extremely impressed with the program’s purpose, design and execution in encouraging people to think about and discuss American values in light of the events of Sept. 11," said Lee Recca, director of accreditation at the IABC in Colorado.

Strategic Advantage Communications, Colorado State and the University of Denver have been working throughout the year to communicate the program’s message through events with such notables as former astronaut and U.S. Senator John Glenn, General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Nobel Laureate Elie Wiesel.

"We’re honored to be recognized for a program that has communicated and served an important need within our community," said Doyle Albee, executive vice president of Strategic Advantage Communications.

"The important partnership between the two universities and Strategic Advantage truly made this unique endeavor an overwhelming success in reaching out to communities across Colorado," said Tom Milligan, director of university communications and marketing at Colorado State. "This sort of connection is what we in higher education are all about."

"It is the role of universities to lead initiatives such as Bridges to the Future when such society-altering events occur," said Donna Warner Wilson, director of special programs at the University of Denver. "We’re pleased to be recognized for making a positive impact on society through this important effort."

"We are indebted to DU, Colorado State and Strategic Advantage for conceiving and making the program possible," said Recca.

The IABC provides products, services, activities and networking opportunities to help people and organizations achieve excellence in public relations, employee communication, marketing communication, public affairs and other forms of communication. IABC has more than 13,700 members in 58 countries.