#04-104
April 23, 2004

'Milestones in Georgia History' wins top honors

AMERICUS--Georgia Southwestern State University's innovative project that gives radio listeners a refresher on the Peach State's past has won high praise from the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). 

The University's Public Service Announcement (PSA) series dubbed "Milestones in Georgia History," designed as an educational and informative glimpse into pivotal moments of the state's 270-year saga, has won the 2004 Grand Award for its category. This means that the project placed first among all competing colleges and universities in the Southeastern United States. 

"At Georgia Southwestern, we take our commitment to provide educational information to the state's citizens very seriously, and view this project as a unique way to bring some interesting stories to a diverse audience," said President Michael L. Hanes, Ph.D. "Our goal is to add to the knowledge base of all Georgians." 

The first dozen 60-second PSA spots were researched by History Professor James E. Bagwell, Ph.D., and produced by the Division of University Relations with assistance from the University's Instructional Technology Center. GSW distributed the free PSA's to 214 FM and AM radio stations across Georgia. Topics include milestones in the Civil War, the life of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., the accomplishments of former President Jimmy Carter, and more. Another batch of 12 "Milestones" will reach radio stations by early June. 

Recognized for organizing the effort were: President Hanes, Wes Sumner, Bob Slenker, Dr. Bagwell and Pat Embleton. 

For more information on the "Milestones in Georgia History" Radio PSA Project, including downloadable audio clips, visit www.gsw.edu/~univrel/news/milestones.html.

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