In Applied Learning We Trust

By Lane Fullagar
The students saw a chance to support their school. The team saw a
chance to begin their march to the title. The community saw an opportunity
to rally around the Seahawks. Two businesses saw an opportunity.
As UNCWs NCAA Tournament watch party commenced, and Trask
Coliseum was abuzz about how the Seahawks would play against in-state
rival Duke, Alpha Graphics and Pioneer Strategies were instead concerned
with distributing as many posters as possible. The posters would provide the
fans with memorabilia to commemorate the moment, while also providing
exposure for both businesses. Four words appeared on the posters,
symbolizing unity and community for the Seahawk fans: In Keatts We Trust.
To give the fans something to hold on to for the rest of their lives,
something that could say they were there when UNCW almost beat Duke? It
was incredible to give back to the community as a business, said Brad
Barth, Creative Director at Pioneer Strategies.
Put together just days before UNCW was to face Duke, the companies
were faced with the daunting tasks of printing nearly a thousand posters,
along with transporting these posters to the fans who had traveled to
support the Seahawks in Providence, RI. Rob Brickels, UNCW Assistant
Athletic Director in the Sports Marketing department, was essential to solving
both of these problems.
Rob was vital to the process. He made everything easier by helping
hand the posters out and getting them to Providence, said Barth. He said
we should have them at the party, and the impact of the posters just
exploded from there onto both the news and social media.
Barth was quick to point out, however, the importance of Matt Ledford,
a communication studies major at UNCW, who is interning at Pioneer
Strategies through an applied learning opportunity.
Matt being a student was vital, Barth said. It wouldve never
happened if Matt wasnt here.
Matts ability to coordinate with student organizations and with other
students at UNCW transformed this idea into a reality. Ledford was key to the
success of the process, as he became the liaison between the parties
involved, ensuring the posters were placed in the right hands.
Ledfords contributions served as evidence of the importance of
applied learning and the potential it has to enhance students academic
careers. Without applied learning, Ledford would never have had the chance
to be a vital part of creating a memorable experience for the community.
It was an absolute thrill to be a part of it, Matt said. To be a part of
this process, and to actually contribute to an experience that a community
can rally around? Ill always be grateful for the opportunities this internship
provided.

Applied learning may invoke many different memories or experiences

for others, but for Ledford and Pioneer Strategies, it will always be known as
the vehicle that allowed a small idea to become an unforgettable moment.