University of Cincinnati Recognizes VMSD  Editor-in-Chief Carly Hagedon With Young Alumni Award

(PRESS RELEASE) CINCINNATI – The College of Arts and Sciences’ Journalism department at the University of Cincinnati (UC) has recognized VMSD Editor-in-Chief and International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) Co-Chair Carly Hagedon with a Young Alumni Award. She was among five winners in 2025.

Honorees were recognized during a ceremony on UC’s campus the evening of April 24 and included recent graduates of UC that have “succeeded in their early careers and are growing to become seasoned journalists,” reads the official press release.

Jeffrey Blevins, Interim Head of the Journalism Department at UC, says, “UC Journalism’s Young Alumni Award honors graduates with the B.A. degree in journalism or journalism certificate, whose careers are ‘on the rise’ with potential Hall of Fame induction later in their careers.”

During the event April 24, four journalists were also inducted into the UC Journalism Hall of Fame, reserved for alumni “who have excelled in the profession of journalism and media, or individuals who have made a significant contribution to journalism at UC,” according to the release.

Jenny Wohlfarth, Professor in the Journalism Dept., says, “Our annual awards program is such a happy occasion for the Department of Journalism because our students and alumni are so central to why we do what we do … We love getting this opportunity to celebrate their efforts and their accomplishments, and it brings us so much joy to reconnect with alumni who return to campus to receive these awards.”

Hagedon began her career at VMSD as Assistant Editor in Nov. 2012. This year will mark her 13^th year at the publication. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband Greg and two dogs, Seven and Dax.

ABOUT VMSD

VMSD (Visual Merchandising Store Design) magazine is the leading publication for retail designers and store display professionals, serving the retail industry since 1897. Every month, VMSD showcases the latest store designs and visual displays, presents merchandising strategies and new products, and reports on industry news and events. Celebrating the art and science of retail design for more than 127 years, VMSD delivers information and inspiration straight from the high-level executives that drive this industry. Learn more at vmsd.com.

ABOUT IRDC

Now entering its 25^th consecutive year, the International Retail Design Conference (IRDC) is two jam-packed days of inspirational content, hands-on interactivity and workshops, and networking opportunities for retail industry professionals. Hosted and produced annually by VMSD magazine, it draws hundreds of experts from the U.S. and abroad including retailers, brand owners, designers, visual merchandisers, educators and suppliers to the industry. For more information, visit irdconline.com.

ABOUT SMARTWORK MEDIA

SmartWork Media is dedicated to the idea that business media should strive to inform, excite and inspire business readers, and that a good business magazine can (and should) have the energy and compulsive readability of a top consumer publication. The company publishes INSTORE, INVISION, PETS+, VMSD, Signs of the Times, Big Picture, Screen Printing and Global Cannabis Times, as well as their respective websites and events — The INSTORE Show, IRDC, Shop! MarketPlace and the Garden Center Show. Learn more at smartworkmedia.com.