INSTITUTE, W.Va. – West Virginia State University’s 2026 television commercial, produced in-house by the University’s Communications and Marketing Department, has been recognized in the 47th Annual Telly Awards, the world’s largest honor recognizing excellence in video and television across all screens.
Announced Tuesday, the University’s 2026 “It Starts at State” commercial received a Bronze Telly Award in the General Educational Institution category.
Filmed entirely on campus last fall, the “It Starts at State” commercial features WVSU students, faculty, and staff and was written and produced by the University’s Communications and Marketing team. The commercial is available on the University’s YouTube channel.
“We are proud to see West Virginia State University recognized on an international stage through the Telly Awards,” said WVSU President Ericke S. Cage. “This award reflects the strength of the WVSU brand and the powerful story of opportunity, transformation, and excellence that defines our university. It is especially meaningful because the commercial showcases our students, faculty, staff, and campus community.”
Vice President for University Advancement Trey Jones commended the Communications and Marketing team for their creativity and commitment to elevating the University’s profile.
“This recognition is a testament to the talent and dedication of our Communications and Marketing team,” Jones said. “Their ability to tell the WVSU story in a compelling and authentic way continues to elevate the University’s visibility and reputation across the state and beyond. We are proud of the creativity and professionalism they bring to every project.”
The Telly Awards reported nearly 14,000 entries this season — the most in the award’s history and a 6% increase over last season — from creators, brands, and production companies representing 55 countries.
The full list of the 47th Annual Telly Awards winners can be found at https://www.tellyawards.com/winners/.
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