Liz Ragland, a recent Oklahoma City University graduate was awarded the first Bowdon Prize for Mass Communications on May 9 at the OCU Arts and Sciences Awards Ceremony.  The prize, recognizing her achievements and dedication to ethics, was named for former Conference Director of Communications Boyce Bowdon.
     The endowment fund was established at the Foundation when Bowdon retired 2005.  Contributions to the fund came from people and groups all over the state who had been impacted by Bowdon through his nearly 40 years of ministry.  The fund reached the goal amount this year and will now distribute about $2,500 annually to an OCU mass communications junior or senior.
Bowdon felt the endowment should go toward rewarding dedicated, hard-working, ethical mass communication majors for their achievements and commitment to the communications profession.
     “It blows my mind to think this fund will never be depleted.  It will continue to help future generations of OCU students to fulfill their commitment to be effective and ethical communicators,” said Bowdon.
     “I’ve always been amazed at how the Foundation helps people in so many ways and in so many places all around the world, but I never dreamed the Foundation would someday have an endowment in my honor,” Bowdon continued.
     OCU mass communication juniors and seniors were invited to apply for the prize.  Applicants submitted a resume and wrote two essays demonstrating their writing ability and commitment to be an ethical professional.  OCU faculty reviewed the applications, and the top three were submitted to out-of-state professional communicators.
     Ragland was selected as the top applicant.  Prior to graduation, she was senior photographer and interim photo editor for the OCU newspaper and yearbook, developed media plans for the OCU advertising and public relations agency, and operated a camera and other studio equipment for the weekly newscast on the campus television station.  She was also active in many campus organizations. Ragland is now working for the Taproot Theatre Company in Seattle, Washington as the company’s marketer.  
    “The prize is such a blessing, and I am very thankful to receive this honor,” said Ragland.