OBU Students Win Gold and Silver at 2026 American Advertising Awards

February 26, 2026

Oklahoma Baptist University seniors McKenzie Stewart and Kyndall Hicks earned top honors at the 2026 American Advertising Awards, presented by the American Advertising Federation, on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Oklahoma City.

Hosted locally by AAF Oklahoma, the American Advertising Awards competition is the advertising industry’s largest and most prestigious, attracting more than 40,000 entries annually through local American Advertising Federation club competitions.

As the first tier of a three-level national competition, local winners advance to district and potentially national levels for the opportunity to be recognized among the best creatives and agencies in the country. Averaging more than 1,000 entries locally and representing dozens of agencies across Oklahoma City, Tulsa and Wichita Falls, Texas, the event has earned a reputation as a must-attend industry gathering.

Stewart, a graphic design major from El Reno, received a Gold Addy Award in the illustration (single) category for her piece “Sunsets for Us.” Her work often features original characters of her own creation — in this case, two dogs named Raul and Celine — who also play a central role in a book she is currently writing titled “Wanderers.”

Hicks, a graphic design major with a marketing minor from Tulsa, earned a Silver Addy Award in the integrated brand campaign category for Brewd Coffee. The project, created as part of OBU’s advertising design class, featured a comprehensive identity system for “Brewd,” a fictitious campus coffee shop. Hicks extended the brand across lifestyle photography, product applications, social media platforms and promotional enticements such as a loyalty punch card.

“We’re very proud of both McKenzie and Kyndall,” said Corey Fuller, the OBU Ruth Jay Odom Professor of Fine Arts. “They are both exceptional students with tremendous talent and work ethic. In addition to their academic studies, both are involved in extracurricular activities.”

Stewart is active in Color Guard, serves as a junior class marshal, participates in Symphonic Winds and Flute Choir, works on the Advertising Crew for CAB and contributes to OBU Worship for chapel. Hicks competes in track as a hurdler and serves as a coach for Oklahoma Cheetah youth track and field.

“It was a special evening to experience with them and their parents who were in attendance,” Fuller said. “The Addy Awards are very competitive, so it’s an honor just to be selected, much less to be awarded gold and silver medals.”

During the event, both students participated in the student showcase and met with professional designers from some of Oklahoma City’s largest advertising agencies, including OBU alumni.

“It’s a fantastic and eye-opening event for students to get a big-picture view of the world of graphic design and advertising,” Fuller said.

Hicks will host her senior show March 23–28 in the Julie Marks Blackstone Gallery. Stewart’s senior show is scheduled for April 6–10 in the same gallery.

OBU’s continued success at the American Advertising Awards reflects the strength of its art and design division in preparing students for meaningful and competitive creative careers.

These awards reflect OBU’s commitment to rigorous academics and preparing students for what’s next. Through real-world, industry-level projects and meaningful faculty mentorship, students gain the skills, confidence and professional exposure needed to succeed in competitive creative careers.

For more information about OBU’s art and design division and its award-winning students, visit okbu.edu/arts/art-design.