James Douglass, Riverland Community College’s executive director of communications, media relations and marketing has been named the National Council of Marketing and Public Relations (NCMPR) 2015 Communicator of the Year for District 5.

One of the most prestigious awards presented to an NCMPR member, the Communicator of the Year Award recognizes a two-year college marketing, public relations or communications professional who has demonstrated leadership in the area of college communications and marketing. Emphasis is placed on accomplishments within the past year.

The Communicator Award is presented annually in each of NCMPR’s seven districts, and district winners are then considered for the national award to be awarded at the National Conference each March. This year’s National conference will be held in St. Louis, Missouri, March 13-15, 2016.

Douglass was named Communicator of the Year at the District 5 conference award ceremony on Sept. 20 in Lincoln, Nebraska.

In addition to Douglass’ individual award, Riverland’s Communications Department garnered 14 2015 NCMPR District 5 Medallion Awards for outstanding achievement in communications at community and technical colleges in District 5 on Sept. 20.

Riverland received four gold, six silver and 4 bronze Medallions. Besides Douglass, the Communications department includes BJ Witts, graphic arts and marketing specialist, and Sandy Roe, Web developer. Riverland received more medallions than any other Minnesota college in this year’s contest.

District 5 includes Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, the Canadian province of Manitoba, Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands.

It is the only regional competition of its kind that honors excellence exclusively among marketing and PR professionals at two-year colleges.

Riverland received the following Medallion Awards:

Gold: Flier, single (Jubilee Jam Celebration Flier); poster (Best of Alumni Shows Concert); poster series (Manufactoring Today; notes/cards/invitations (75th Anniversary Wine Pairing Invitation)

Silver: Poster (Elementary Education in Austin); logo design (75th Anniversary Logo); *Computer Generated Illustration (“I Could Be the Next Einstein”); print ad, single (Jubilee Jam Celebration); novelty advertising (Career and Technical Education Trailer Wrap); interior signage displays (Theatre Entrance and Lobby Graphics).

Bronze: Poster (Bach to Rock Concert); poster series (2014-2015 Theatre Season Posters); postcard — single or series (College Questions?); print ad single (Spring Starts – Frisbee in the snow)

* No gold medallion awarded.