The department of Journalism and Mass Communication conducted the 22nd annual Gutenberg Celebration Thursday in the Hunter Welcome Center.
The awards are given to outstanding alumni of the JMC department.
The Gutenberg award is named after Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press.
“It seems so appropriate to name the award in honor of the person who brought the potential for news and information, and for scripture, to the people,” said Dr. Cheryl Bacon, chair of the department.
The highlight of the event was the award presentation in which Randy Brewer, founder and executive producer of Revolution Pictures, Steve Cantrell, director of client services at Balcom Agency, and Cindy Leeper Shields, the director of human resources at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Inc., were presented a Gutenberg award.
Randy Brewer and Revolution Pictures are based in Nashville. After graduating in 1991, he launched the company six years later. His credibility exploded when he produced the music video for Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood. The video won the 2006 CMT Breakout Video of the Year award.
“Get your hands on the stuff,” Brewer said in his acceptance speech. “Always look to be the best. When you fail, get up again. If you don’t try, you’ll never get to the top accomplishment.”
Steve Cantrell of Balcom Agency graduated from ACU in 1981. He accrued more than 30 years of advertising savvy working for clients such as the Texas Rangers and the Cotton Bowl Athletic Association. For more than 10 years, he has worked with Balcom Agency.
Cindy Leeper Shields has worked at Cracker Barrel since 1992. She became the director of human resources for the corporation in February 2012 and lives in Nashville.
“You can start out one way and your career may take you on a completely different path, and that’s OK,” Shields said. “Just find something you are very, very passionate about.”
The student-organized event was free for students within the department and students outside the department were able to charge the ticket price to their student account. The event also offered free networking opportunities, free food, free tickets and, for some, extra credit.
The event went smoothly and even President Phil Schubert was in attendance to mingle and congratulate the recipients.
