Gustavus Adolphus College announced the release of a new iPad application geared toward prospective students on Tuesday, Aug. 21. The application, which is believed to be the first of its kind among institutions of higher education, is available for download on iTunes at no charge.
The application is uniquely designed to allow prospective students to easily navigate and browse photos, videos, quotes from current students and faculty, and general information about the College on their iPads or iPhones.
“This is the wave of the future,” said Dr. Tom Crady, Vice President of Enrollment Management at the College. “The days of the printed viewbook are going by the wayside. High school students want to be able to access information about colleges on their mobile devices and that’s what this new iPad application allows.”
When students first log-on to the application, they are greeted by an iconic photo of Old Main with the following message: “We’re nestled in the historic town of St. Peter, Minn., just down the road from Minneapolis – and honestly, one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the nation. We’re academic and athletic, unpretentious and faith-based. Come visit our campus in person. Until then, check us out on your iPad.”
By touching, clicking and dragging, users of the application are then able to access information about academics, fine arts, athletics, research opportunities, study abroad opportunities, the College’s core values, student life and co-curricular activities, the town of St. Peter, and more. The application also allows prospective students to submit an application for admission on the iPad.
“I really like the new iPad application because it presents information in more of a fun and interactive way than simply looking at a brochure,” said Lydia Kennedy, a senior at St. Peter High School. “Every time I use the application I find something new that I didn’t see before.”
Gustavus’s iPad application was designed and developed by BD&E, a strategic branding and marketing communications firm located in Pittsburgh, Penn., with input from College constituents. BD&E, which stands for “Brand Drives Everything” has been involved in a number of strategic marketing projects with the College over the past five years including the redesign of the College’s website and the introduction of the College’s current brand line, “Make Your Life Count” in 2009.
The Gustavus iPad application can be downloaded by going online to gustavus.edu/admission/app/ or the iTunes website.
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Media Contact: Director of Media Relations and Internal Communication Luc Hatlestad
luch@gustavus.edu
507-933-7510