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Martha Spera
973-655-4333
speram@mail.montclair.edu

From left to right, Montclair State University students Jeff O'Keefe, Jessica Delguercio, and Alexandra Schumann. The three Communication Studies students won the inaugural United States Postal Service P.R. Professional Experience held in New York on May 15, beating numerous tri-state area teams, including NYU, SUNY, Quinnipiac, Fairleigh Dickinson, and Dowling College.

Montclair, N.J. -- Montclair State Communication Studies students Jessica DelGuercio of Cedar Grove, Alexandra Schumann of Secaucus and Jeff O'Keefe of High Bridge took first place in the Eastern Regional - U.S. Postal Service (USPS) Public Relations Professional Experience Contest. The competition, held in New York City on May 15,attracted student teams from colleges and universities in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The Montclair State team directed by Professor Larry Weiner of Communication Studies, was in competition with Dowling College, New York University, Quinnipiac University and SUNY at New Paltz.

The Montclair State campaign will be featured in a future Postal Service public relations promotion. Presentations at the competition incorporated innovative ways to promote USPS online products NetPost, Click-N-Ship and Direct Mail. MSU's team created the slogan "Click-ity Split" which focused on speed, ease, efficiency, and convenience.

"The most intriguing aspect of the competition was how well we worked as a group for the whole semester, and how this prepared us for what it is like in the real world by using your resources, relying on other people and keeping up with time management," said O'Keefe ‘06. O'Keefe will spend the summer as an intern at Keith Sherman & Associates, an entertainment P.R. firm in New York City.

The proposal is waiting approval for national promotions. Dr. Wayne Bond, Chairperson for Communication Studies, said, "Jessica, Alex, and Jeff were awesome. They did the University and the department proud. Congratulations to all of them for a spectacular job." The students received more than $2,500 in prizes including a trip to any JetBlue Airways destination, a Microsoft Xbox 360, and Travelpro Deluxe Rolling Totes and garment bags.

Montclair State is New Jersey's second largest and fastest growing university. It offers the advantages of a large university--a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum with a global focus, a broad variety of superior graduate programs through the doctoral level, and a diverse faculty and student body--combined with a small college's attention to students.

June 20, 2006