Marywood University art students swept the student awards at the NEPA 2012 ADDY Awards ceremony at the annual awards dinner in Wilkes-Barre in early March, and one went on to garner a national ADDY award in June. This is the seventh consecutive year in which Marywood art students have won ADDY Awards.

The ceremony, held at Mohegan Sun at Pocono Downs, Plains PA, recognized 2011 creative efforts in print, web, video, radio and outdoor advertising, and design, primarily featuring the work of professionals in the ad agency business throughout the region.

Marywood undergraduate and graduate students won best-of-show, gold, and silver awards, and the University staff was recognized for the second consecutive year for creative expertise in a communications field.

Marywood University students started winning ADDYs in 2005 when Marywood professors of graphic design, John Meza and Christine Medley, began encouraging their students to enter into the competition. Seven years later, the awards keep rolling in.

In the student division of the regional ADDY competition, five Marywood University students walked away with eight awards. Tomlynn Fallon Biondo ‘06 (M.F.A. ’12) won three awards, including “Best of Show” for her children’s book illustration, as well as a “Gold” and a “Silver” ADDY. Undergraduate student Patricia Keryc ’12 received the Judge’s Choice” award and a “Gold” ADDY in the student division for her works “Natural Care” and “Elephant Poaching.” Three undergraduates won Silver ADDYs: Cheryll Davies ’12 won for her work, “Nudles: The Natural Pasta;” Jess Meoni ’12 for her work, “The Black Sox Swindle Infographic;” and Patrick Monahan ’12 for his work, “Natural Care.”

Nationwide, the American Advertising Federation’s ADDY Awards attract more than 50,000 entries for local competitions every year. The regional ADDY competition is the first of a three-tier, national competition. At the second tier, local winners compete against other winners in 15 east coast district competitions. District winners then move on to the third tier, the national ADDY Awards competition.

Ms. Biondo, who earned her M.F.A. degree in August, was the only individual at the NEPA ADDYs to receive three awards. Having won ADDYs as both an undergraduate and graduate student, Biondo is now a six-time ADDY Award winner. Her children’s book illustration captured attention—and a national award—at the National ADDY Awards in Austin, TX, in June.

“It’s great to be acknowledged for my work,” Biondo said. “I am already looking forward to competing next year.”

In a repeat of last year’s ADDY awards, the University staff was recognized for innovation in a key communications area—this time in website development. Marywood University received a Silver ADDY for its mobile website, a version of the University’s main website that is accessed by users’ mobile devices, including smart phones and tablets.

Pictured: Tomlynn Fallon Biondo ’06 (MFA ’12) stands with her children’s book illustrations that won “Best of Show” regionally and nationally.