Buffalo State Wins Corporate Challenge T-shirt Design Contest
Buffalo State has won the 2012 JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge Buffalo T-shirt contest.
An annual 3.5-mile run/walk benefiting the American Red Cross, the JPMorgan Chase Corporate Challenge is a global celebration of "corporate teamwork, camaraderie, and community giving."
This year’s event, held Thursday, June 7, in Buffalo’s Delaware Park, was the third largest in the fundraiser’s 32-year history drawing over 12,500 participants representing more than 400 organizations.
Beyond philanthropy, the Corporate Challenge offers some friendly competition. Along with the race itself, a T-shirt contest provided a little good-natured rivalry. The contest offered designers the chance to show off their creativity and allowed participants to wear their team pride on their sleeves—or rather, without sleeves.
Popular vote on Facebook determined winners in the categories of “Greenest” and “Most Creative” designs. Buffalo State earned 508 votes in the “Most Creative” category, beating out nine other finalists.
Designed by Chantel Kutzbach, assistant graphic designer in the College Relations Office, Buffalo State’s orange T-shirt features the slogan, “Chase Orange” on the front and a QR code on the back which connects to the institution’s new 360-degree campus tour.
Tim Walsh, associate vice president for college relations, accepted the award at a post-race ceremony. Along with bragging rights, Buffalo State received $1,000 for charity.
"Buffalo State is certainly proud of our creative win at the Corporate Challenge," said Walsh. "Creative approaches and diversity among people and ideas happen because of Buffalo State and our 12,000 students…and the faculty and staff that love our engagement with the city."
Buffalo State’s T-shirt wasn’t the only winner at this year’s event.
The Buffalo State Corporate Challenge team, captained by Mary Finger and Jessica Eagan of the Undergraduate Admissions Office, drew 67 participants including many first-time runners.
"Campus participation increased this year by 100 percent," said Finger. "As one of the largest charitable events in Buffalo, our team reinforced Buffalo State’s strong community presence. It is everything we could have hoped for."
"I just think it's a great Buffalo thing," new team member Eileen Merberg, retention and leadership specialist for campus life, told the Buffalo News. "I'm overwhelmed and awed, it's just awesome."
Sponsors of Buffalo State’s team included the President’s Office, Chartwells, United University Professions, Professional Staff Caucus, Institutional Advancement, College Relations, Intercollegiate Athletics, and Instructional Resources.