The Crisis Communications Award goes to the communicator who has played a leadership role in responding to crisis situations.
The problem with crises – is that they can start in the unlikeliest of places and grow out of innocent events - like the presentation of a distinguished alumni award, for example. That was the catalyst that took our 2010 recipient for this award from his quiet Green Street office and put him squarely in the middle of an issue that literally crossed continents.
When a Google search on the subject yields 3.8 million hits, leading with headlines like – “Leftist Ecuadorean Thug to be Awarded by University of Illinois,” you know it’s not going to be just another day at the office.
And this is exactly what Matt Vanderzalm, CCO of International Programs and Studies, found himself facing this past year when word was leaked that controversial Ecuadorean leader, and Illinois alum, Rafael Correa would be coming to campus to receive the 2010 Scheth (Sheth) International Alumni Award.
Matt and his colleagues found themselves representing Illinois, in the face of calls and e-mails, and probably rocks with notes on them from around the world. Calls from outraged alumni. From outraged citizens. From outraged legislators.
From outraged media outlets. All of them basically asking, “What in the heck are you doing there in Illinois?”
In the end, President Correa received his award, in a quiet, uneventful ceremony and went home, and the University and the country remained standing. And through it all, Matt helped make sure that things stayed calm, and helped ensure that Illinois was seen as a place with integrity and with conviction.
Matt Vanderzalm, please come accept the 2010 ACME for excellence in crisis communications.