UCM Honors Strickland with 2024 Foster/Inglish Public Relations Prize
Recognized for her commitment to education and communications, Kathy Strickland, alumni and development communications manager at the University of Central Missouri (UCM), is the 2024 recipient of the Carl B. Foster/John M. Inglish Prize for Outstanding Achievement and Service in Public Relations.
Strickland, who works in the Office of Integrated Marketing and Communications (IMC), said she is humbled to be the latest recipient.
“I’m following in the footsteps of a lot of people I respect and admire,” Strickland said of the award. “Working in alumni communications has given me new respect for people who establish something like this to continue the tradition of excellence in their fields.”
The award is presented annually in recognition of an IMC staff member. It was made possible by the late John Inglish, who, upon retiring in 2000 as university director emeritus of public relations, established an endowment through the UCM Alumni Foundation to honor his longtime friend and mentor, the late Carl Foster. A pioneer in university communications, Foster retired as director emeritus of public relations in 1986 after 19 years of service to the university. Inglish, a UCM alumnus, devoted more than 27 years to UCM’s Office of Public Relations (now IMC) before he retired.
Strickland has been part of the IMC staff for almost six years. She serves as the editor of UCM Magazine and manages communications for the UCM Alumni Foundation.
Strickland graduated from the University of Missouri, where she studied magazine journalism. She worked for several magazines and newspapers and served two years as a high school teacher before getting into the marketing field and earning her master’s degree in educational technology from Boise State University.
She said she loves magazines because of the storytelling opportunities.
“My passion is being able to explore a story and tell it from many different sides,” she said.
Kelly Waldram Cramer, associate vice president of IMC, made the 22nd award presentation and noted Strickland prides herself on doing a great job. From managing social media channels and the monthly e-newsletter to building relationships with faculty, donors and alumni, Waldram Cramer said Strickland’s “excellent work elevates UCM.”
Strickland said working in the IMC office at UCM combines her desire to work with students and her writing and editing skills. She impacts students indirectly through her efforts with the UCM Alumni Foundation, but she also works with a few students each semester.
“I like helping them grow as writers and develop their voice,” Strickland said. “It’s great to give them a forum for getting some samples for their portfolios and for finding their passion within the field of marketing. When you can reach students, even one or two, and make an impact, then I think it’s worth it.”
Waldram Cramer said those interactions don’t go unnoticed and that Strickland provides mentorship for her students.
“Just this spring, one of her students told me that he was exceptionally prepared because of her guidance, knowledge and skills,” Waldram Cramer said. “She took the time to get to know him and mentor him. She believed in him. She challenged him. And by elevating that student, she elevated UCM, as she does with all of her work.”