Once again, CCU has represented at the national level. This time, however, they brought a little bit of South Carolina with them.

Two multimedia projects titled "Homeless Are" and "At Low Tide: Voices of Sandy Island," produced by the Athenaeum Press, the student-driven publishing lab housed in the Thomas W. and Robin W. Edwards College of Humanities and Fine Arts, represented CCU at the American Advertising Awards Competition in Chicago on June 8.

The projects won big in the 2018 District 3 American Advertising Awards (formerly the Addys) competition in March. Both grouped in the "Cross Platform Communications" category, "Homeless Are" won the Best in Show student honors award, while "At Low Tide: Voices of Sandy Island" won student gold in the AAF Coastal Carolinas division. Wins at the district level escalated them to the national competition.

"Homeless Are" is comprised of an online web series and a companion book, 492 and Counting, whose title references the number of homeless currently living in Myrtle Beach. The publication includes a series of photographs and portraits chronicling various individuals who make up a hidden part of Myrtle Beach's growing demographic.

"Homeless Are" grew from a proposal presented to the press by the Swain Scholars, a scholarship program of science majors at CCU. In conducting its own research project on factors that lead to homelessness, the Swain Scholars discovered a gap between public perception and factual information derived from national statistics.

"[The Swain Scholars] were interested in the preconceptions people have about homelessness and how that relates to national and regional causes," said Alli Crandell, director of digital initiatives and project manager for the Athenaeum Press. "Some people have the perception that homeless people are drug users or alcoholics, when it's really the fact that somebody lost their job or is living on the edge. This is something the students really pointed to as an issue that could affect any of us. Many of us don't have a safety net that could last us through an economic disaster."

"At Low Tide: Voices of Sandy Island" is a deep dive into the history and culture of one of the last undeveloped islands in America, located off the coast of Georgetown County. The project is comprised of a physical book and a virtual reality documentary. These companion pieces create a visual and narrative journey across the Waccamaw River to one of South Carolina's greatest historical treasures.

Student contributors for "Homeless Are" included studio arts major Ashley Cochran; public health major Kerry Dittmeier; communication majors Jeremy Razook and Katelin Gandee; exercise and sports science major Emma Kroger; biology major Nancy Phillips; graphic design major Drew Smith; and masters of arts in writing student Ronda Taylor. Faculty advisers included Crandell; Michael Digiorgio, digital studio director for the Edwards College; Scott Mann, associate professor of visual arts and production manager for the Athenaeum Press; and Trisha O'Connor, media executive-in-residence and director of the Athenaeum Press.

Student contributors for "At Low Tide: Voices of Sandy Island" included graphic design majors Madia Walker, Haley Yarborough, Brooks Leibee and Jesse Lindler; percussion major Jose Rangel; elementary education major Quinten Ameris; digital culture and design major Shonte Clement; and Master of Arts in Writing students Maggie Fernandes and Ronda Taylor. Community adviser for the project was Angelis Pyatt Washington, and CCU faculty advisers included Crandell; Mann; O'Connor; and Eric Crawford, assistant professor of music.

These two projects highlight the dedication both students and faculty have demonstrated in their work within the press, telling the local stories that make up the rich and cultural legacy of CCU's surrounding areas. For Crandell, having two projects reach the national level of competition was a reward all its own.

"We were really excited to have the national's platform for students to showcase their work," said Crandell. "Both projects represent vital aspects of what the press is and does. They're both multimedia, but one is more of a contemporary topic while the other is reflecting on a rich history. They exhibit the work of students tackling challenges in creative and innovative ways."

Rather than accepting completed manuscripts for publishing, the Athenaeum Press accepts project proposals that are intensely developed by an interdisciplinary, collaborative group of students and faculty. The press seeks these proposals from all corners of the community, including nonprofit organizations, community members, faculty and students at other institutions.

Project initiators, or those who submit project proposals, extensively collaborate with the press team to design, build and produce professional-quality content using unique and innovative technologies and media formats. A past project, "Gullah: Voice of an Island," advanced to the national competition in 2014 after earning a silver medal in District 3 regionals.

Current projects being produced in the Athenaeum Press include a historical portrait of chicken bog and its cultural impact and collaboration with the Horry County Education Commission, highlighting the organization's support to build and sustain CCU throughout its history.

For more on the Athenaeum Press, contact Crandell at 843-349-2947 or acrandell@coastal.edu. Visit athenaeumpress.com.