Current News Releases
Aug. 21, 2008
Innovista Web site wins prestigious Silver Medal award
The University of South Carolina's Innovista Web site earned a prestigious international honor earlier this summer from the professional organization devoted to academic marketing, communications, fundraising and alumni relations.
The Innovista site was one of four Silver Medal winners in the specialty Web Site category of the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education's annual Circle of Excellence Awards. CASE represents thousands of colleges and universities in the United States and abroad.
With only two Gold Medal winners, the Innovista site was among the top six of 99 overall entries.
"This type of recognition by a national organization like CASE affirms Innovista's image as the research campus of the future," says Innovista Executive Director John Parks. "A well developed Web presence will be critical as we work to communicate our vision to potential tenants and partners."
The contest judges praised the Innovista site, particularly its dynamic map.
"This interesting and well-designed site showcases a research and lifestyle neighborhood development that is a partnership between the University of South Carolina, government, real estate developers, nonprofits, and the business community," the judges wrote.
"Using a variety of media, the Innovista site is intended to demonstrate the many facets of life at this high-tech research center. Indeed, it’s a compelling mix of content, including a terrific Flash-based map, video, and other content elements.
"And, typical of the site’s attention to detail, the map’s developers created an accessible, non-Flash-based version. The site is well organized, content-rich and easy to use; and there are visits to the site from around the globe."
Earlier this spring, the South Carolina Press Association awarded the Innovista site a first-place award in its non-newspaper category.
The University's Office of Marketing and Communications worked with the Office of Research on the Web site project. Truematter, a Columbia firm specializing in Web user experience, designed and built the site.
“The site was carefully designed to promote Innovista as both a future vision and a vibrant, present reality," says Dean Schuster, partner for user experience at Truematter. "Highly useful content and eye-opening interactions show the depth of the commitment behind the initiative.”
