FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, June 15, 2009

PRESS INQUIRIES:
Campus Pride
704-277-6710 or info@campuspride.org

This July Campus Pride to Award “Campys” for Distinguished Service to LGBT & Ally Youth

Shelly Weiss of OUTmedia & Branding Guru Patrick Davis among honorees to receive first-ever Campys along with Campus Pride volunteers Bylone, Hall, Pettitt, Shutt & Simmons

(Baltimore, MD – Monday, June 15, 2009) — This July 21-26, Campus Pride will host its third annual Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp geared toward lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally student leaders from colleges and universities across the United States. The five day long leadership camp, is the only national program of its kind, and will take place on the campus of Towson University in Towson, Maryland. Registration is available online at http://www.CampusPride.org.

Campus Pride announced today that it will bestow a new award at Camp called surprisingly a “Campy.” This award recognizes special individuals and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding service and contributions to Campus Pride. This summer Shelly Weiss of OUTmedia and Patrick Davis of Patrick Davis Partners will receive a Campy recognizing their unique roles supporting the Campus Pride mission to give “voice and action” to LGBT and ally youth. In addition, five longstanding Campus Pride volunteers will be recognized for their ongoing support of camp: Christopher Bylone, CM Hall, Jessica Pettitt, Michael Shutt & Lisa Simmons.

Shelly Weiss is the owner and founder of OUTmedia, a leading queer cultural activist organization and social enterprise. Weiss has influenced queer arts for decades at colleges and universities across the country and has been a leader in promoting positive visibility and inclusive multiculturalism in entertainment.

Patrick Davis is the owner and founder of Patrick Davis Partners. His firm specializes in the creation and management of brand capital and intangible assets. Davis has supported the mission and growth of the organization from its inception and has served as a constant source of guidance.

The five Campus Pride volunteers Christopher Bylone, CM Hall, Jessica Pettitt, Michael Shutt and Lisa Simmons were on the original team who helped plan and implement the first-ever Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp in 2007. Each individual has demonstrated volunteer service beyond expectations building Campus Pride programs and services over the last three to four years.

“Campus Pride has witnessed tremendous success with our programs and services, growing very quickly over the years with limited monies. The first ‘Campys’ are going to those individuals and organizations who believed in us and made this success a reality,” said Shane Windmeyer, Executive Director of Campus Pride. “We are fortunate, especially in these hard economic times, to have these volunteers commit their time and energy. Congratulations!”

The Campys will be awarded at the Campus Pride Summer Leadership Camp during the closing banquet on Saturday, July 25 located within the Student Union at Towson University. If interested in attending the camp or being a sponsor, more information is available online at Campus Pride (www.campuspride.org) or email info@campuspride.org. Any college student 18 years old or above may attend camp.