NDSU students and faculty/staff recognized at American Advertising Awards
A total of 11 students from NDSU’s Department of Art and Design within the School of Design, Architecture and Art (SoDAA), along with two students from the Department of Communication, were recently recognized in the student categories of the American Advertising Awards. The event, hosted by the American Advertising Federation of North Dakota, was held Feb. 27 at the Avalon Events Center in Fargo.
In addition to the student honors, SoDAA Director Michael Strand and his collaborator, Carlos Roybal—an alum of the school and now a staff member within SoDAA—received the Overall Best of Show ADDY Award in the Professional Category for their social media campaign, It’s Designed.
The American Advertising Awards is an annual competition that recognizes excellence in advertising and upholds high creative standards across the industry. The student division honors outstanding collegiate work, while the professional category encompasses all professional media, including advertising, video production, graphic design, copywriting, and related creative disciplines.
The Department of Art and Design has participated in the ADDYs for the past seven years, with each year seeing an increase in student participation and awards. This year, students won a total of 28 awards, setting a new record for SoDAA which was also approximately 90% of the Student awards for the evening.
“This breadth of recognition reflects not only standout achievements, but the strength, consistency and supportive mentorship embedded in our Art & Design program,” said Andrew Stark, an assistant professor of practice in drawing, graphic design, illustrations and foundations.
“I am so proud of our students, guided by their awesome faculty working in Design studies and photography and tonight is just another indicator of the incredible momentum in our program. We are definitively the destination program in the immediate region for Art and Design studies and it’s a wonderful moment to celebrate,” said Michael Strand, Professor and Director of the School of Design, Architecture and Art To see the work produced by both faculty and students Advertising Awards - AAF-ND
OVERALL BEST OF ADDY AWARDS
Best of Show of all Entries - Professional Category
It's Designed: Social Media Campaign for the School of Design, Architecture and Art
Michael Strand, Director of the School of Design, Architecture and Art
Carlos Roybal - SoDAA Marketing and Design Staff
Best of Show of All Entries - Student Category
THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CAMPAIGN
Emma Rehder, Tyler Halstenson, Anthony Tortorice – (Department of Art and Design Students)
Judges Choice Award - Jorge Pomareda, Chicago Ill.
Self Sabotage - Video Campaign
Morgan Rodgers and Isabella Martinez (Department of Art and Design Students)
*this is one of three judges’ awards each selecting their favorite work of the ADDYS overall this is remarkable for students to receive this award as it includes all entries across categories.
PROFESSIONAL CATEGORY
2 Gold ADDYS and 1 Best of Online/Interactive Campaign
It's Designed: Social Media Campaign
Michael Strand, Director of the School of Design, Architecture and Art and Carlos Roybal - SoDAA Marketing and Design Staff
STUDENT CATEGORY
Department of Art and Design
· Rehder, who also won a Silver Addy in elements of advertising – campaign – for a project titled “Arlene St. Jewelry Co. Campaign.”
· Rodgers, who also won two Gold ADDYs in online/interactive – social media – and elements of advertising – animation or special effects, as well as a Silver ADDY in elements of advertising – cinematography – for a project titled “Self Sabotage.”
· Martinez, also won a silver ADDY for elements of advertising – typeface design –for a project titled “Lace Typeface.”
· Anna Christensen, won a Gold ADDY in elements of advertising –typeface design – for a project titled “Dachshund Typeface.”
· Carlos Roybal, who also won two Gold Addys in elements of advertising – illustration – for projects titled “A Sweet Treat,” and “A Venomous Smile.” Also won a Silver ADDY in elements of advertising – illustration – for a project titled “Primal Horizon.” – Graduated Spring 2025
· Ly Nguyen, won two Gold ADDYS in sales & marketing – special event materials and out of home & ambient media – poster for a project titled “Rollin with the Herd.” Also won a Silver ADDY in elements of advertising – illustration – for a project titled “Vietnamese Festivals Posters.”
· Stevie M. Cade, university studies/Photo Illustration Class, won a Gold ADDY in elements of advertising – photography – for a project titled “Mending.”
· Elisha Antione, won a Silver ADDY in elements of advertising – still photography – for a project titled “Witness to the Unseen.”
· Robert Angelo, won a Silver ADDY in cross-platform – integrated brand identity campaign – for a project titled “Bet: A Game of Bluff.”
Department of Communication
· Xyle Altura, strategic communications, won a Silver Addy in film, video & sound – television advertising, and a Gold Addy in elements of advertising – cinematography – for a project tilted “Carhartt: The American Dream.”
· Elizabeth Leonard, strategic communications, art minor, won a Silver ADDY in online/interactive – social media – for a project titled “Limited Edition Hoodie Campaign.”
Students and Faculty/Staff who received a Gold ADDY will advance to the regional District 8 judging in April. District 8 encompasses American Advertising Federation chapters in North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.