{"id":45353,"date":"2019-04-24T13:30:26","date_gmt":"2019-04-24T18:30:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=45353"},"modified":"2019-04-24T13:30:30","modified_gmt":"2019-04-24T18:30:30","slug":"chicago-advertising-firm-creates-significant-opportunities-for-fhsu-students","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tigermedianet.com\/?p=45353","title":{"rendered":"Chicago advertising firm creates significant opportunities for FHSU students"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By Diane Gasper-O\u2019Brien<\/strong>
University Relations and Marketing <\/em>
Her message was simple, but inspiring nonetheless.

\u201cThis year is about meaningful impact,\u201d Kerri Soukup told a group of 25 Fort Hays State University graphic design students setting up their portfolios in the Robbins Center.

Soukup was one of three advertising executives from Leo Burnett Worldwide in Chicago on campus for the day to review the students\u2019 portfolios.

The grand prize for all those days \u2013 and nights \u2013 of hard work for the students was twofold: the possibility of winning scholarship money and a chance at earning a summer internship at the one the largest ad agencies in the world.

Soukup, who grew up in Ellsworth and graduated from FHSU in 1997, spoke from experience about the meaningful impact the university\u2019s graphic arts program had on her journey.

As a student taking general education classes at Hutchinson Community College, Soukup took a lettering class as an elective one semester.

That decision ultimately changed her life.

During that class, the instructor took her students to an American Institute of Graphic Arts portfolio review in Wichita.

\u201cI saw all these tables of Fort Hays State students\u2019 work, and they really stood out,\u201d Soukup said. \u201cI knew right then that\u2019s what I wanted to do and where I wanted to go to school.\u201d

FHSU students have been impressing Leo Burnett executives for a quarter of a century.

This marks the 25th anniversary of Leo Burnett Portfolio Review and scholarship awards. During the first few years of the awards, students sent their portfolios to Chicago for review. Soukup, who was recruited from FHSU to work at Leo Burnett shortly after graduation, has been coming to the Fort Hays State campus with other Leo Burnett representatives for nearly 20 years.

\u201cOne of the most fulfilling and rewarding things is to give back to these students,\u201d she said, \u201cto give back to a program that gave so much to me. It\u2019s awesome to come here and scout interns and to give out scholarships.\u201d

In an effort \u201cto really make a difference in the students\u2019 lives,\u201d Soukup was instrumental in helping start the \u201cPencil Project\u201d last year where students were given the challenge to \u201cCreate It. Write It. Be it.\u201d

\u201cWe wanted to see a collection of their work, their story,\u201d she said.

Twelve students applied and sent their work to Chicago for that project. Soukup and co-workers Tuan Huynh and Tracie Roberson evaluate the projects for about a week, then make their final decision during the reviews Monday.

\u201cWe had an idea of about five or so from their submissions before we came,\u201d Soukup said. \u201cBut we wanted to see the \u2018Be it.\u2019 and how their presence embodied their work.\u201d

Rayvon Lewis, a junior from Blue Springs, Mo., went away the big winner \u2013 earning a $10,000 award for his Pencil Project. But Soukup told all the students she wanted them \u201call to find your unique story and find your super power.\u201d

\u201cNo matter what you\u2019re working on, always ask \u2018What\u2019s more?\u2019 \u201d Soukup said.

Soukup told the story of how, following graduation from FHSU, she had taken a job as a waitress at a restaurant while awaiting acceptance to graduate school.

\u201cI thought I didn\u2019t want to do advertising, and I didn\u2019t want to live in Chicago,\u201d she said. \u201cI wanted to be at a small design firm and change the world.\u201d

\u201cHave any of you ever passed up an opportunity because you were afraid of the outcome?\u201d Soukup asked. \u201cI almost did that. I want everyone to be able to see that your path can be whatever you make it.\u201d

After landing the job as an associate art director back in 1998, it didn\u2019t take Soukup long to advance quickly in the company, and she now bears the titles of executive creative director and executive vice president.

There are about 6,000 applicants for internships each year at Leo Burnett for only 40 spots. Of those 6,000, about 1,000 applicants are in the creative department, and only 15 are chosen. Because of the relationship between Leo Burnett Worldwide and FHSU, they reserve two of those 15 spots for FHSU students.

\u201cThis is such a wonderful opportunity for our students,\u201d said Karrie Simpson Voth, chair of the Department of Art and Design and professor of graphic design. \u201cIt\u2019s also great for recruitment.\u201d

Simpson Voth was one of the first recipients of a Leo Burnett scholarship back in 1994. The following year, she received an interview and offer to work for the company, but she had already committed to going to graduate school. When the opportunity came around again for another offer, she had just accepted a position at FHSU, teaching graphic design.

\u201cThe time and energy Kerri, Tuan, and Tracie put into these students during their one-on-one reviews is invaluable,\u201d Simpson Voth said. \u201cThe students never get more thoughtful feedback anywhere else they present their work, and that is because of the relationship we have built over the years and the students who go on to work for them. They want to pass on that impact to the upcoming students.\u201d

The morning presentation by the Leo Burnett trio was followed by six-plus hours of personal reviews with all the students, making for a long day.

But Simpson Voth said that it\u2019s important for the students to hear validation of their work, concepts and skills as well as constructive criticism on how to improve upon what they have.

\u201cThey hear it from Chaiwat (Thumsujarit) and me all the time, but the input from Kerri, Tuan and Tracie adds the voice of industry, which is powerful,\u201d she said.

It was an even more challenging day for Hill City sophomore Annalise Albrecht. She tripped over her dog\u2019s chain on the stairs and sprained her ankle on her way to the evening scholarship presentation and had to call a friend to help her get to the Robbins Center in time.

It was worth the extra effort for Albrecht, one of the nine students awarded a $250 Leo B. scholarship. Four larger scholarships were awarded to two seniors and two juniors for first- and second-place overall portfolios.

Albrecht, a graphic design and photography major, said she first got into art because of her mom and is glad she chose Fort Hays State to continue her education after high school.

\u201cMy mom is an artist and always inspired me and encouraged me,\u201d Albrecht said, \u201cand this is a great program.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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