Newtown Resident Named

AMA Student Marketer Of The Year

DANBURY — In marketing, it’s all about knowing your product, conducting research, developing and then implementing a plan.

Western Connecticut State University student Christopher Hennessy has done his homework in more ways than one and as a result, the Newtown resident has been named the Above and Beyond Communications Student Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association of Connecticut (AMA-CT).

At an awards ceremony held recently in Hartford, Mr Hennessy received the top honor, defeating collegiate competitors from area institutions including Yale University, Quinnipiac University, Fairfield University, the University of Connecticut, Trinity College, Sacred Heart University, the University of Hartford, Connecticut College, Wesleyan University and WestConn’s sister schools: Eastern Connecticut State University and Southern Connecticut State University. The competition was open to Connecticut students pursuing a degree with a marketing concentration who had completed at least 50 percent of their program of study.

“Knowing that I competed with hundreds of students from these top name schools makes me extremely proud,” Mr Hennessy said. “I know there is a lot of talent at WestConn, and I think this award demonstrates that we can run with — and beat — the best of them at the other schools.”

When Mr Hennessy first learned of the AMA-CT student competition in early 2004, he was disappointed to find that he was ineligible to enter because he had not yet completed 50 percent of his program of study. So like a true marketer, he started to plan how to win the coveted award.

He became president of the campus AMA-CT Chapter, instituting programs to recruit and retain student members. He also became active with the Distributive Education Clubs of America, a student marketing association.

Mr Hennessy additionally serves as the Ancell School of Business student representative to the Connecticut State University System Board of Trustees, the student representative for the WCSU Center for Business Research, and is the student representative for the Ancell School’s accreditation by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

In a 2004 Integrated Marketing Communication Plans competition, Mr Hennessy was a member of the team that designed the winning plan for the Girl Scouts of Southwestern Connecticut. He has also had several marketing internships, including one with the Major League Baseball Players Association.

Mr Hennessy, who will complete his program of studies in December, didn’t begin at WestConn. After graduating from Waterbury’s Holy Cross High School in 2001, he first attended Merrimack College in Massachusetts. After two years there, he decided to transfer to WestConn to continue his studies while he contemplated his next move.

“I hadn’t planned to stay at WestConn longer than a semester, but I ended up falling in love with the place,” Mr Hennessy said. “The students here have such passion and dedication — and it is evident in the faculty, the deans, the administration and President Schmotter, too. It’s a great feeling, and the best word to describe it is pride.”

WestConn Professor of Marketing Dr Ron Drozdenko echoed Hennessy’s sentiments.

“Chris is a dynamic, highly motivated student who always takes on a leadership role,” said Dr Drozdenko. “He enjoys the environment here and really tries to encourage other students to get involved in campus clubs and activities, too. I believe Chris’ personality and his ability to plan and think beyond the immediate situation will enable him to succeed in this business.”

AMA-CT President Suzette Roberts agreed.

“The American Marketing Association Connecticut Chapter is proud to recognize outstanding marketing students each year, and Christopher Hennessy represents one of the finest,” said Ms Roberts. “The Above and Beyond Student Marketer of the Year Award was one of Chris’ goals and I’m excited to see him achieve it on his way to a very promising marketing career.”

Since winning the award, Mr Hennessy has fielded job offers from several organizations. One opportunity he has already accepted is the position of AMA-CT collegiate relations director, a volunteer post that will enable him to parlay his enthusiasm for marketing into a networking opportunity, as he oversees all the student AMA chapters in Connecticut.

“I hope that as a result of my efforts, all the colleges that offer marketing programs will have active AMA chapters on their campuses,” Mr Hennessy said. “The organization has done so much for me, and I am really looking forward to a challenge like this.”