State Regents Recognize Northwestern and Value Added Products

March 27, 2020

Representatives from Northwestern and the Alva-based dough manufacturing business Value Added Products are among 27 other receiving a State Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award.

Northwestern Oklahoma State University and Alva-based business Value Added Products were recently honored for their business partnership during a ceremony to recognize innovative collaborations that further the education of Oklahoma’s workforce.

The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education’s Regents Business Partnership Excellence Award is designed to highlight successful partnerships between higher education institutions and businesses and to further cultivate the higher learning environment through State Regents’ Economic Development Grants. In all, 27 business and higher education partnerships throughout the state were honored.

VAP is a producer owned cooperative that specializes in dough production. The business continues to receive an AA rating BRC certification, the internationally recognized mark of food safety and quality. The Alva plant currently employs 53 people.

Through Northwestern's partnership with VAP, business and mass communication students were tasked with creating new marketing materials for the dough manufacturing business. Throughout the year, students designed and presented a new logo, created slogans and a promotional video, as well as a modular vendor booth display for trade shows. One student involved with the campaign, Ethan Sacket, a senior business student from Aline, was able to attend the Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada, with the company and see firsthand how the content created would further brand awareness.

“The pinnacle was getting to see the final products displayed at the International Pizza Expo in Las Vegas, Nevada,” said Sacket. “I experienced firsthand what it’s like to be an exhibitor at 'The Largest Pizza Show in the World' while also witnessing what industry leaders from across the globe are doing. This was truly a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am extremely grateful for VAP team for letting me learn from them.”

Institutions involved in these partnerships provide $500 for tuition waivers to employees of the partnering businesses; internships that enable current students to work at the partnering businesses; faculty externships with the partnering businesses; and/or enhancement of the partnerships with additional equipment, materials or supplies. The State Regents provide a $500 match to the waivers.

“Our colleges and universities collaborate with leaders in the private, public and nonprofit sectors to strengthen our workforce,” Chancellor Glen D. Johnson said. “These partnerships between businesses and our state system institutions advance Oklahoma’s efforts to build the skilled workforce required to compete in today’s global economy.”

-NW-