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       Gaylord College is partnering with the Oklahoma Route 66 Centennial Commission to develop a comprehensive campaign to honor Oklahoma’s iconic Mother Road, which turns 100 in 2026. As part of students’ historic role in this initiative, they will develop public relations and advertising campaigns, create videos and social media campaigns, uncover little-known stories, and promote this unique holiday.
       On July 1, Sherry Kast and Carla Holmes, two professors at the University of Oklahoma’s Gaylord College of Journalism and Mass Communication, embarked on a seven-day summer road trip along Route 66, starting in Norman, Oklahoma and heading to Santa Monica, California. The professors took the opportunity to interview community leaders and cultural experts along Route 66 in Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The results of the trip were shared with students to help them develop plans for a strategic celebration of Route 66’s centennial to boost tourism and economic development in Oklahoma. This project is bringing the love of the Mother Road to a new generation!
       In addition to Custer and Holmes, we were joined by Professor Scott Hodgson, Gaylord Hall Productions, and a three-student production team to document the journey and create professional, high-quality content for social media and television news. Content was also provided to media outlets and social media platforms from the University of Oklahoma, Gaylord Alumni Association, Gaylord College, Oklahoma Department of Tourism and Recreation, Oklahoma Department of Transportation, and others.
       We are thrilled that Landers Chevrolet, a proud sponsor of the University of Oklahoma (OU), has graciously agreed to provide a vehicle for this trip. We look forward to promoting this partnership on social media and other platforms. It’s a great way to align with the iconic “See America in Chevrolet” advertising campaign.