Wilkes University’s marketing communications team was recognized by CUPRAP (College and University Public Relations and Associated Professionals) at the 19th annual CUPPIE Awards and Spring Professional Development Conference held from March 11 to 13 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Wilkes received a gold award for its South River Street campus mural and an honorable mention for its public relations/special events materials for the 2025 Founders Gala.
“Receiving recognition at this year’s CUPPIE Awards is an incredible honor and a reflection of the creativity, collaboration and passion our team brings to every project,” says Kerianne Geist, associate vice president of marketing communications. “The gold award for the South River Street mural and the honorable mention for the Founder’s Gala highlight the meaningful work being done to elevate the University’s brand in ways that resonate with campus stakeholders and the broader community.”
The South River Street mural was designed and painted by Wilkes graphic design specialist Paige Edwards ‘24, with help from associate director of creative services, Ashleigh Crispell ‘15. The mural, which adorns the side of the Career Development and Internships building on South River Street, is a tribute to not only Wilkes University, but also the history and heritage of Wilkes-Barre.
“The bees signify the city’s industrious background and the community ‘being busy as a beehive,’ while the colors are representative of the Wilkes University brand,” Edwards says. Creating such a large and impressive piece of art involved several steps, including projecting the sketch on the wall at night, outlining it and then filling it in with spray paint – all with the aid of a hydraulic lift to reach the higher sections of the wall. Edwards has so far designed three murals spread across campus, with more planned.
“The opportunities I have been given during my time as a student, and now as an employee at Wilkes, have really helped me grow as an artist and show the world my work at an even larger scale,” says Edwards. “I couldn’t be more fortunate and thankful for this experience and the recognition I’ve received.”
Reflecting on the collaborative nature of projects such as the mural, Brad Barry, senior director of creative services, says, “Marketing communications is only a part of a larger community dedicated to showing Wilkes at its best, and the mural showcases that. It’s wonderful to have the projects of such a hardworking and creative team recognized. The talent and collaboration are really what drive projects like these to the next level.”
The Founders Gala, now in its 12th year, serves as a way to raise money for the First Generation Scholarship Fund. The theme for last year’s event was The Gilded Gala, a nod to the historical era when many of the buildings on campus, and in downtown Wilkes-Barre, were constructed.
“The determination of the working class of the Gilded Age echoes the mission of Wilkes — to open doors for all those who show promise,” says Bridget Giunta, executive director of events and engagement. “We hoped to convey the spirit of the era through the look and feel of the event, which included live music, historical photos and many vintage details.”
This year’s recognition builds upon a long history of success for the marketing communications department at the CUPPIE Awards. The team has been a perennial winner, dating back to 2009, when they won a gold award for their spring 2009 issue of Wilkes magazine.
For the 19th annual awards competition, CUPRAP received over 400 entries spanning nine different strategic communications and design categories from colleges, universities and agencies from around the country. All entries are reviewed and judged by non-affiliated independent industry experts in communications, marketing and media.
“I’m incredibly proud of our team and grateful to see their hard work recognized in such a meaningful way,” says Geist.