Honors College A-Plus Videos Win Three Davey Awards

Chieko Hara

Honors Path Scholar Ahmad Pace Jr. discusses the "Dixie" Protests at the Greek Theater during a tour of Black student experiences on the U of A campus last spring.

Two videos produced for the 2021 issue of A+, the Honors College magazine, have won recognition in the 17th Annual Davey Awards competition, which drew more than 2,000 entries from ad agencies, digital agencies, production firms, in-house creative professionals, graphic designers, design firms and public relations firms.

The videos were produced by the Honors College in collaboration with University Relations; these awards mark the third year in a row that this partnership has won recognition from the Davey Awards. 

• Band Aid won silver Davey Awards in two categories: General Information for Online Film & Video, and Craft, as well as Best Use of Music for Online Film and Video. This short video documents research led by honors student Emily Myers, who graduated last spring with a degree in communication sciences and disorders, summa cum laude. She developed custom ear protection for members of the Razorback Marching Band, an initiative that continues today.
• The Legacy of BAD Times: Black Student Experiences at the U of A won a silver Davey Award in a new category, General - Diversity, Equity & Inclusion for Online Film & Video. This 17-minute video documents a campus tour led by students in Interim Chancellor Charles Robinson's Fall 2020 Honors College Forum, BAD Times. The course, named for the Black Americans for Democracy newspaper launched by Black students in the 1970s, brought activists past and present to campus, culminating in an online tour, campus tour, and this video.
  

The Davey Awards, inspired by the Biblical tale of David and Goliath, seek to honor creative "Davids" who derive strength from big ideas rather than big budgets. The Davey is judged and overseen by the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts. 

"Both videos capture important honors student research," said Honors College Dean Lynda Coon. "Band Aid documents an ongoing effort to protect student musicians who add much to our athletic endeavors. And the BAD Times tour enriches our understanding of the Razorback family and its surrounding community, which is especially important as we mark the university's Sesquicentennial and look forward to the next 150 years." 

"Our partnership with the Honors College is one of the most fulfilling professional relationships we have on campus," said John Steele Cooper, managing producer of video productions for University Relations. "The stories we get to tell about our campus community reinforce the mission of the University of Arkansas in ways other media can't do. We're pleased to know our efforts are recognized by the Davey Awards."  

Band Aid was coproduced by Kendall Curlee and Hiba Tahir and directed and filmed by John Steele Cooper; Brian Petty edited the video. The Legacy of BAD Times was coproduced by Curlee and Katie Wilson Powell, and directed, filmed and edited by Cooper. For both videos, Tony Steck, creative director at DOXA/VANTAGE, designed opening credits and graphics. University Relations staff Ashley Acord provided animation and assisted with production and Eric Olson edited the sound.