Marquette University wins three Public Relations Society of America Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Paragon Awards

May 27, 2025

OMC MILWAUKEE — The Office of Marketing and Communication at Marquette University received three Public Relations Society of America Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter Paragon Awards, a competition that recognizes excellence in public relations and communications professionals from across the region.

Marquette received three awards of distinction for:

  • The launch of a digital storytelling initiative in which Marquette shifted its college-focused content publishing from seven print magazines to an omni-channel approach.
  • The university’s new presidential social media accounts on Facebook, X and Instagram, which had several videos go viral and have seen substantial follower growth in under a year.
  • The redesign of Marquette Today, the daily e-newsletter and online news hub for the university community, which transitioned seven college magazines to an omni channel approach with impressions 10-times print circulation, saving the university over a quarter of a million dollars.

“Elevating and differentiating the Marquette brand requires relentless focus on positive storytelling across all of our communication channels,” said Lynn Griffith, chief marketing and communication officer at Marquette. “These awards highlight our success telling the Marquette story on multiple platforms and to a variety of stakeholders. All of these efforts must be aligned and complementary to improve awareness and affinity for the Marquette brand on a national level.”

The Office of Marketing and Communication serves as storytellers for Marquette University – finding, sharing and narrating the stories that engage and inspire the university’s key audiences.

PRSA Southeastern Wisconsin Chapter created the Paragon Awards to honor the needle-moving work happening in our communications community. The awards showcase innovative approaches that elevate brands and businesses, ignite conversations and deliver measurable results.

About Marquette University

Marquette University is a Catholic, Jesuit university located near the heart of downtown Milwaukee that offers a comprehensive range of majors in 11 nationally and internationally recognized colleges and schools. Through the formation of hearts and minds, Marquette prepares our 11,100 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and professional students to lead, excel and serve as agents of positive change. And, we deliver results. Ranked in the top 20% of national universities, Marquette is recognized for its undergraduate teaching, innovation and career preparation as the sixth-best university in the country for job placement. Our focus on student success and immersive, personalized learning experiences encourages students to think critically and engage with the world around them. When students graduate with a Marquette degree, they are truly prepared and called to Be The Difference.

About Melissa Barclay

Melissa Barclay

Melissa is the senior communication specialist in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Melissa at (414) 288-6712 or melissa.barclay@marquette.edu.