Communications Director Lynn Davis, the only person ever to serve the college in this role, was named the 2013 Communicator of the Year by Virginia Tech’s Office of University of Relations. “Lynn does an excellent job of telling our story, which is so very important in this hyped up, sound bite world we live in,” said Dean Paul Winistorfer, who nominated Davis. “Lynn takes what we do and turns it into such a compelling information piece that you simply have to read it. You can’t put it down or click away from it.”

Since 1992, Davis has worked tirelessly to promote the college and its programs through a comprehensive communications strategy, drawing on her years of experience and her countless contacts in natural resource agencies and organizations in Virginia and across the country. During the past year, she led a college-wide branding effort, incorporating input from all of the college’s stakeholders to develop a brand portfolio identifying who and what the college is today. A new 32-page college prospectus showcases the college’s brand promise: “Advancing the Science of Sustainability.”

Davis’ contributions go far beyond branding. She oversees production of this quarterly newsmagazine as well as stories for the Virginia Tech homepage, the Virginia Tech Research Magazine, and other outlets, and produces dozens of press releases each year. Key messages
are incorporated into all stories and media pitches, and the resulting media coverage has spread the college’s name and work across the country and around the world.

“We’ve built an entire college communications plan around Lynn’s expertise and that of her staff,” Winistorfer added. “Putting together all the pieces of print, Web, and social media, as well as a strategy behind our brand and how we communicate it, is critically important for the college, our faculty, and students.”

“Lynn is a consummate team player at the college and university level as well as with colleagues at local, state, and national levels,” Winistorfer concluded.

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