Junior strategic communications major accepts scholarship award

MacKenzie Clarkin ’18 received the 2016 Robert F. Lauterborn Scholarship from the Triangle Advertising Federation at the organization’s September event.

MacKenzie Clarken ’18, a strategic communications major in the School of Communications, accepted the 2016 Robert F. Lauterborn Scholarship awarded annually by the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Triangle chapter. The award, presented on Sept. 13, recognizes one student for their achievements and excellence as the top undergraduate advertising student in the region.

Hal Vincent (right), lecturer in the School of Communications, recognizes MacKenzie Clarkin ’18 who received a scholarship from the American Advertising Federation (AAF) Triangle chapter on Sept. 13. Photo courtesy of AdFed Triangle
Hal Vincent, lecturer and faculty director of Live Oak Communications, Elon’s student-run advertising and public relations agency, presented Clarken with the award at the AdFed’s annual Ad Rocks! event held at the Pour House in Raleigh. Vincent is also an AdFed board member and chair of its education committee.

Clarken currently serves as vice president of Elon’s student Ad Club and assistant director of Live Oak Communications.

In his presentation remarks, Vincent explained that four judges deemed Clarken’s portfolio submission as the best among the region’s advertising students. Vincent noted that judges said “her motivation and passion clearly stood out” and “her leadership in the student AAF Ad Club, internships, and school advertising agency is noteworthy.”

“The judges had their work cut out for them this year,” Vincent said. “Not only were there several strong candidates from Elon who applied, but many others from the Triangle’s well-known colleges and universities. I think MacKenzie impressed the judges with a portfolio of strategic and creative communications executions, and her out-of-classroom experiences really differentiated her application from others. Elon’s commitment to experiential and engaged learning through internships and Live Oak Communications is unique.”

​The Triangle AdFed created this scholarship fund in 2004 in honor of Robert F. Lauterborn, James L. Knight Professor of Advertising at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill to recognize his contributions to the academic and professional worlds of advertising.

Musician Jon Lindsay headlined the Ad Rocks! event as advertising industry professionals and club members convened for the first of the many 2016-17 programs.

About American Advertising Federation

The American Advertising Federation, the nation’s oldest national advertising trade association, and the only association representing all facets of the advertising industry, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and acts as the “Unifying Voice for Advertising.”

​​Regionally, AdFed Triangle works to promote the wellbeing of the Raleigh-area advertising industry, which also includes Apex, Cary, Carrboro, Chapel Hill, Durham and Morrisville. To accomplish this mission, the organization offers unique programming and community involvement initiatives for the practitioners who work within this market.

About Live Oak Communications

Live Oak Communications is Elon University’s student-run strategic communications agency, providing students unique experiences partnering with numerous businesses, nonprofits and organizations to achieve their business goals through targeted, multiplatform strategies and tactics. Live Oak’s capabilities include public relations, advertising, video, web design, social media solutions, graphic design, corporate identity and more.