Birthday e-Card Praised at National Conference
Published 03.20.2008
News
An electronic birthday card formerly sent to prospective and current students by Penn College's Admissions Office received national attention at Tuesday's Princeton Review Conference at Drexel University. Brian W. Niles, chief executive officer of the Target X higher-education marketing firm, showed the card to his audience during his presentation. "Has anyone here ever heard of Pennsylvania College of Technology?" he asked, answered by a near-unanimous show of hands. "Well, here is something that I think is a fabulous idea and I just received it this morning from my son (a prospective student)." He characterized the card, which shows the Wildcat mascot blowing out birthday candles as a "perfect way to initiate that first contact with prospects" and to maintain the college's personal relationship throughout the students' eventual enrollment. Niles told the group he genuinely was impressed with the card, and said he will use it as an example in future conferences and speaking engagements. The Wildcat card, designed by Penn College alumnus Robin D. Carey when she worked in Web Development several years ago, this week was replaced with an interactive balloon-popping version created by Web designer Shawn P. McGehean. Among conference attendees was admissions representative Benjamin Z. Mayer.