This year, the Media and Marketing Relations team started a new undergraduate recruitment campaign, #iamahornet, centered around the faces of students on campus at Emporia State.
Umair Abbasi, executive director of marketing and Media Relations, said they started thinking about the campaign last December.
“We thought, ‘What if the students, the faces that we’re using, came to life and talked to the prospective students off of the piece of paper?’” Abbasi said.
A novel feature of the #iamahornet campaign is its use of augmented reality technology and a smartphone app called Layar.
According to Tony Hall, web editor, writer and social network manager, prospective students receive a postcard with a current student’s face on the back. With Layar installed, scanning the picture with a Smartphone will start a video of the ESU student talking about the university.
After seeing a demonstration on augmented reality by Patrick Resa, media production director in IT, the #iamahornet campaign was born.
Out of approximately 50 students who auditioned to be a face of the new campaign, Media and Marketing Relations picked 23 students to read a few lines about ESU’s 150 years of “changing lives.”
The campaign has also featured these students in television ads, one of which began airing less than two weeks ago.
“As prospective students respond to the campaign through www.iamahornet.com, email, mail or phone, admissions staff members follow up to encourage a campus visit,” said Laura Eddy, director of admissions. “It’s been a great experience working with Marketing and our awesome ESU students in the ‘I am a Hornet’ campaign.”
Running until at least the summer of 2014, the #iamahornet campaign will target current high school sophomores, juniors and seniors.
Meet 10 of the many students who are involved with the #iamahornet campaign.
| Name: Radwan Dayib
Year and Major: Sophomore communication major Hometown: Emporia, Kan. Involvement on campus: Resident Assistant in Towers, Honors Program Favorite part of ESU: “I honestly love the people of the community and campus. A large majority of people here have a vested interest in your academic success along with your social well-being.” What it means to be a Hornet: Being a Hornet means that you push yourself to new heights and challenge yourself. I think more and more people are coming to Emporia State with the tools for success. At that point, the university does a great job in giving individualized attention to a diverse range of students and helping them surpass expectations. Extra Credit: “Having lived in Emporia since my freshman year of high school, I’ve seen many changes happen to the city and specifically the university. However, I’ve never witnessed such a hard-working staff and faculty that puts in a concerted effort to make Emporia State a wonderful place to attend. Their work is much appreciated and has a direct correlation to things such as increased enrollment.” |
|
| Name: Marissa Grier
Year and Major: Senior elementary education major Hometown: Hiawatha, Kan. Involvement on campus: President of Sigma Alpha Lambda, Food Fight Against Hunger, Relay for Life, student teaching intern at Timmerman Elementary School Favorite part of ESU: “My favorite part of ESU is the diversity within the student body.” What it means to be a Hornet: “Being a Hornet has allowed me the opportunity to be transformed into a professional teacher by the teacher’s college I would not want to be trained by anyone else.” |
|
| Name: Tyler Huddleston
Year and Major: Sophomore communication and Spanish major Hometown: Topeka, Kan. Involvement on campus: Student Foundation Secretary, Associated Student Government Senator, Vice President of Phi Sigma Kappa Favorite part of ESU: “I love Emporia State University because it provides students with so many opportunities. The community is behind every Hornet 100 percent and that is what makes Emporia State great.” |
|
| Name: Olivia Henning
Year and Major: Sophomore music education major Hometown: Newton, Kan. Involvement on campus: Secretary of A Cappella Choir, Advancement Liaison of Ambassadors, Symphonic Wind Ensemble, Phi Eta Sigma, Sigma Alpha Lambda, Honors Program Favorite part of ESU: “My favorite part of ESU is the personal attention you get. I’ve never felt like just a number, I’ve always felt a personal relationship with my professors.” What it means to be a Hornet: “Being a Hornet means going above and beyond. We are the best of the best out there. It also means having the opportunity to dream big and know that I can achieve them if I work hard. Stingers up.” |
|
| Name: Yukii Hoshino
Year and Major: Senior communication major Hometown: Yokohama, Japan Involvement on campus: “I am involved in international student communities, especially JA Sakura (Japanese Student Association). I am also one of the International Ambassadors here on campus. I am a Vice President of Lambda Pi Eta, a Communication honor society.” Favorite part of ESU: “My favorite part of ESU is that there are full of opportunities everywhere on campus. Even for international students, there are plenty of activities and event we can participate and that is awesome.” What it means to be a Hornet: “As an international student, it would be great if I can represent the diversity of ESU. Currently, we have international students from over 40 countries here on campus. Many people do not realize that here at ESU, we can get to know people who have grown up in completely different cultures. I am proud to say I am a Hornet because I am experiencing life-changing moment in everyday life.” |
|
| Name: Rachel Marshall
Year and Major: Senior communication major Hometown: Kansas City, Kan. Involvement on campus: Opinion writer for The Bulletin, Ambassadors, Blue Key, BUILD Beauty, Lambda Pi Eta Favorite part of ESU: The size, community, faculty/administration, distance from home and cost. What it means to be a Hornet: It means so much to me. ESU has claimed a huge part of my heart and I can really call it home. I cherish the relationships I have made here and how much I have been able to grow through the opportunities that ESU has given me. Extra Credit: “The #iamahornet campaign was an amazing experience and (a) really cool campaign to be a part of. It is a huge deal for ESU since we are one of the first to do the Layar app and augmented reality. This really put us on the map and has given us a name in new places.” |
|
| Name: Aly Dunlap
Year and Major: Senior math education major Hometown: Abilene, Kan. Involvement on campus: Kappa Mu Epsilon, SAL Favorite part of ESU: “The student body unity and pride.” What it means to be a Hornet: “Being the best ‘you’ that you can be.” |
|
| Name: Corey Johnston
Year and Major: Junior physical education and health education major Hometown: Burlingame, Kan. Involvement on campus: “I’m involved in the Intramural game(s) year-round being an official. I’m also always there to support our ESU Hornets.” Favorite part of ESU: “My favorite part is small town feeling on campus and the friendliness from everyone here.” What it means to be a Hornet: “To me, being a Hornet is all about being a part of campus life and taking the steps to prepare yourself for the world by taking advantage of the opportunities through classes professors and people in the community.” Extra Credit: “ESU has always been my number one option and still to this day, I love being here and being a Hornet for life.” |
|
| Name: Kangwon Song
Year and Major: Alumn Involvement at ESU: Theatre Favorite part of ESU: “A variety of student activities.” What it means to be a Hornet: “Being a Hornet means being on stage under spot lights – being alive.” |
|
| Name: Alaina Nicole Fairbanks
Major: Physical education & health Hometown: Shawnee, Kan. Involvement on campus: Track and field, Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA, I am president), Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), HPER club, Chi Omega sorority Favorite part of ESU: “If I had to pick one thing, it would be the track team. I love being on the track team. I love my teammates and I love my coaches and I love competing. Track, specifically pole vaulting, is my passion. Being a student athlete has helped me grow in so many ways.” What it means to be a Hornet: “I wouldn’t want spend my college days any place else other than Emporia and I wouldn’t want be anything else but a Hornet. H: Helping hands. Being a Hornet means I always have someone I can look to for help like my professors, classmates or teammates. It also means that I will always be a helping hand for those in need. O: Optimistic. Being a Hornet means I will always look for the good in all of my fellow classmates and professors. I will always look for the good in every situation I find myself in, knowing it will only make me better. R: Radiant. Being a Hornet means being radiant about my school, always showing my love and school spirit for ESU. N: Nest. Being a hornet means I will always have a place to call my nest (home). E: Enthusiasm. Being a Hornet means I will always have enthusiasm whether I’m cheering on athletes at an athletic event, helping a classmate with their homework or getting involved in campus activities. T: Through thick and thin. Being a Hornet means always loving and supporting my fellow hornets through thick and thin. S: Stingers up. Being a Hornet means always holding your stinger up, proudly always having school spirit.” |
