Following the path forged by many year-end celebrations adapting to social distancing guidelines, this year’s DAPPER Awards, the annual awards ceremony hosted by Klein College of Media and Communciation’s Department of Advertising and Public Relations (DAPR), were held online. Though it was virtual, the ceremony provided an opportunity for attendees to join who otherwise might not have attended, and a much-needed moment of unity and encouragement for many students. 

Sheryl Kantrowitz, assistant professor of instruction in the Department of Advertising, took the lead in coordinating the event when she returned to campus from leave in March — two days before it closed due to COVID19. Immediately, she knew her team would need to plan for a virtual event, and sent the creative team to work making Zoom backgrounds and testing microphones.

“It was smooth sailing getting the creative together — and fun to make a special virtual background! — and the only issues we ran into were surrounding Zoom logistics,” says Morganne Hodgson, a senior advertising student on the art direction track who served as an art director for the event. “I think the transition to virtual went smoothly. Despite not being able to see speakers and awardees in person, it felt like a true award ceremony.”

At the usual in-person event, a student speaker takes the podium to deliver a speech to their peers. This year’s honoree, Taraghee Morris, was able to utilize the full capabilities of a virtual session by making a pre-recorded video. Though he still made short remarks before playing the recording, the video was a way to demonstrate the talent and creativity of the student being honored without putting pressure on him. In the video, Morris asked fellow students to submit clips of themselves explaining what “unity” means to them, a concept many find themselves contemplating during these times of increased isolation.

“The fact that he decided to crowdsource the idea of ‘unity’ from his peers, I thought was just so wonderful. It really gave a voice to so many students in the department when normally it would just be him,” Professor Kantrowitz says. “I think there was an emotional aspect to it, and I don’t know if I’ve ever felt that way before, and I feel like it could have just been what we’re going through, the pandemic, and seeing everyone coming together.”

To that end, many of the awardees were supported by their parents or even grandparents on the Zoom session, a benefit not typically provided by the live ceremony in Annenberg Hall. Likewise, many awardees who had schedule conflicts with the virtual event were able to access and watch the recording later on, allowing them to feel included in the ceremony.

“Having speakers and award presenters from across the country be able to Zoom in was very special,” Hodgson says. “Having this virtually allowed people to be there who may not have been able to attend if in-person.”

In total, 110 people were present on the Zoom call, spanning the country from California to Philadelphia. Though the team was initially unsure of what the audience would be like, whether students would bring their families, or even how many people would join, the online format allowed for one of the most inclusive and meaningful DAPPER ceremonies to date.

“My favorite part was seeing the chat flood with comments of congratulatory remarks every time an award was presented or someone was speaking,” Hodgson says. “You could tell that people were excited.”