New Website--Same URL

The Texas Advertising and Public Relations website recently received a complete overhaul through a technological team within the College of Communication. Spurred by a server on its last breath, the project began in April of 2008 with the primary purpose to update the traditionally hard coded website format with one driven by the Oracle Universal Content Management System. The new system allows faculty and staff members who do not have traditional web training the ability to update content on the website frequently and easily.

Susan LaRonde, the College of Communication webmaster, headed up the project with a team of professionals including Andy Greer, web designer, Sean Thompson, lecturer within the Texas Creative sequence and Gary Wilcox, professor in the department. Specifically, Sean Thompson and Andy Greer worked to redesign the aesthetic look of the website, a valuable addition being the inclusion of student creative work.

It had been approximately 8 years since the website had received a facelift and the new website is being praised by faculty, staff, and students as more representative of the department's personality, credentials, and accolades. "The website needed to be more than a vibrant brochure. Being able to convey a sense of place and making sure the essence of the program comes out was very important," said Thompson. Wilcox noted that working with the College Web team was a great experience. "They were very professional and worked with our ideas and brought them to life."