Tri Sigma Wins Six Fraternity Communications Awards
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Each year, hundreds of communications and marketing professionals from fraternal organizations, professional membership associations, and honor societies gather for the Fraternity Communications Association’s annual conference. One highlight of the event is the recognition banquet, where the industry’s best work from the previous year is honored.
Tri Sigma is pleased to announce its Marketing & Communications Team has received the following 2025 FCA Awards based on work completed in 2024:
MAGAZINE EXCELLENCE AWARDS
Feature Design (Staff-Designed) – 2nd Place
“Amplifying Sorority”
Written and designed by Sr. Director of Marketing & Communications Jennifer Freeman Thompson, “Amplifying Sorority” aimed to educate members of all generations on the evolving ways prospective members are recruited, engaged, and supported beyond the new member period. To enhance readability and visual interest, the article used creative sidebars and oversized graphics to guide readers through complex information. Entries were judged on the creative use of visual elements to enhance reader experience, overall attractiveness, and relevance to the intended audience.
MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS AWARDS
Website Improvement – 1st Place
TriSigma.org Redesign
After seven years without a major update, Tri Sigma launched a fully redesigned website in February 2024. Guided by user feedback and brand personality exercises, the new site offers a more modern look, a streamlined menu, longer scrolling pages, and improved access to high-priority content for members, potential new members, and parents. Entries were judged on user experience, relevance, and overall improvement to the content and design. The project was led by Jennifer Freeman Thompson with support from Robert Irish of Industrial Rabbit, Associate Director of Marketing & Communications Hannah Laux, and other Tri Sigma staff.
Merchandise Promotion – 1st Place
2024 Holiday Gift Guide
Following the success of Tri Sigma’s first gift guide in 2023, the Marketing & Communications Team expanded the 2024 edition to include more products and vendors while also increasing promotion of the guide through social media and email. Entries were judged on creative use of design and theme across all touchpoints, alignment to the organization’s primary brand, use of resources, and success of the effort.
The project was led and designed by Hannah Laux with support from Engagement Coordinator Madilyn Miller, Epsilon Gamma–Grand Valley State University, and Marketing Intern Adeline Rendon, Eta Tau–Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Specific Purpose Website, Microsite or Blog – 3rd Place
JoinTriSigma.com
To support the reestablishment efforts for the Zeta Chi Chapter at Coastal Carolina University, Tri Sigma staff launched JoinTriSigma.com—a vibrant and mobile-friendly website serving as a one-stop shop for potential new members with event RSVPs, interview scheduling, philanthropy information, and FAQs. The website reinforced Zeta Chi Chapter’s brand through bright photography and use of brand colors consistent with other digital and print materials published throughout the reestablishment period.
The website was designed by Jennifer Freeman Thompson and Director of Growth Initiatives Kailea Marshall, Zeta Gamma–Southeastern Oklahoma State University. Entries were judged on quality, consistency and organization of content, overall design, ease of navigation, and relevance to the intended audience.
Publication Improvement (Non-Magazine) – 1st Place
To Be Steadfast New Member Guide
Fall 2024 new members were the first to receive To Be Steadfast, an 84-page companion guide to Tri Sigma's updated new member onboarding program. Developed as a supplement to corresponding online learning modules, the guide also aims to promote greater brand affinity and serves as a long-lasting memento of the Tri Sigma collegiate journey. The guide was produced by Jennifer Freeman Thompson with content and direction from Associate Executive Director of Enablement Lorin Philips, Alpha Upsilon–James Madison University, and Enablement Coordinator Samantha Graffeo Bueche, Alpha Mu–University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
William C. Levere Award for Total Communication – 1st Place
Reestablishment at Coastal Carolina University
The William C. Levere Award for Total Communications—one of FCA's most coveted awards—honors the top comprehensive communications plan and execution. This prestigious award, which an organization may only receive once every three years, honored Tri Sigma’s extension and reestablishment effort for the Zeta Chi Chapter at Coastal Carolina University—our first extension effort in 4 years.
The year-long campaign included a variety of meaningful touchpoints to several key audiences, including emails and direct mail sent to local alumnae and emails, paid and organic social media, and a dedicated website targeted toward potential new members at Coastal Carolina University. Our efforts were reinforced through promotional items and in-person events once the fall 2024 term began.
"This entry is leaps and bounds the best of the bunch! Very well-articulated goals and measurable objectives make it easy to see that the campaign was a success. The materials are nicely done, carry the brand well, and the results are clear. This was an outstanding entry and provided exactly the information any professional gold-standard marketing/coms plan should include: goals/measurable objectives, comprehensive strategies and tactics, and clear evaluation of the metrics you set for success." – JUDGES REMARKS |
This initiative was a significant milestone in expanding the reach of our sisterhood and reintroducing the organization’s presence on campus. The successful reestablishment of the Zeta Chi Chapter was made possible by a strong partnership and collaboration between the Growth Initiatives, Collegiate Experience, and Marketing & Engagement, Teams.
"I am extremely proud of our small-but-mighty team and the work that we do," Jennifer said. "Nearly everyone on staff played a role in the reestablishment's success, which makes the honor winning the Levere Award even more special for Tri Sigma."
FCA received more than 749 submissions from 75 member organizations, and 28 organizations received awards for outstanding efforts in a variety of writing, design, and communication categories. A list of all winners and categories can be found here.
Additionally, Jennifer Freeman Thompson was elected to serve as Director of Recognition on FCA’s Board of Directors for 2025–26.