UC San Diego Receives Four International CASE Awards

More than 3,350 stories, magazines, design portfolios and other demonstrations of outstanding work were considered by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for this year’s Circle of Excellence Awards. The international awards program recognizes superior accomplishments in the fields of advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing. UC San Diego was honored with four awards for creatively and effectively engaging internal and external audiences through print and digital publications.

UC San Diego’s 2016 international Circle of Excellence CASE Award recipients include:

Publications

Internal Audience Periodicals—Digital
University Communications and Public Affairs
Silver—This Week @ UC San Diego

Launched in 2005, This Week @ UC San Diego has become the primary means for campus and community members to learn about exciting research breakthroughs, how faculty and students are making a difference in the world, and what’s new at the university. With nearly 150,000 subscribers, the weekly publication serves as the campus’s go-to digital newsmagazine.

A campus-wide team of writers, photographers, graphic designers and videographers contribute content to convey the top stories and happenings throughout the academic year. These stories multiply online through campus social media sites and other communication vehicles, maximizing the reach to people around the world who are interested in learning about the work we do.

With regard to the publication, the judges noted, “This newsletter had an impressive application and attachment with a lot of information presented in a wonderfully readable format and style.”

Institutional Relations Publications
President’s Reports and Annual Reports—Print
Alumni and Community Engagement
Silver—“Together: UCSD Alumni Retrospective 2013-2014”

Doing more, together. This is the vision illustrated throughout the 2013-14 retrospective produced by Alumni and Community Engagement to showcase successful alumni engagement initiatives. Combining distinctive photography with key statistics and highlights from signature programs, the report caught the attention of the judges, earning a silver award.

“The non-traditional mailing envelope and simple die-cut immediately piques the curiosity of the reader and as one delves into the report, the narrative stories align with compelling color photos and useful infographics,” noted the judges in their report.

Through its reporting and creative storytelling, the report showcases the partnership between UCSD Alumni, Annual Giving and the Career Services Center, while reflecting upon a productive year of creative program initiatives to engage alumni with their former university community. Ten in-house staff members from Alumni and Community Engagement collaborated to produce the publication. The report was well received by institutional leadership and continues to be a key educational tool for this group to share with alumni and friends.

Writing

Writing for the Web
Erika Johnson, University Communications
Silver—“Singing Their Hearts Out: UC San Diego Gospel Choir Tops the Charts Among Students”

Walking into Ken Anderson’s class is a memorable experience. The lecture hall is nearly completely full, and students are eager to participate, to literally raise their voice. The Gospel Choir, a course taught in the Department of Music, is one of the most popular and populous classes on campus, often drawing upwards of 600 students from all majors and spiritual backgrounds. Many students have no previous singing experience, and yet Anderson is able to target each student’s talent so that all voices sound in harmony.

The story was written by Erika Johnson, ’11, a feature and news writer in University Communications. In the piece she wove in student feedback regarding Anderson’s unique teaching style, as well as produced a video to give readers a chance to immerse themselves in a typical class session.

“The writing is strong and compelling; the quotes tell their own story,” said the judges. “Great use of photos and a video so audiences can see and hear the choir in action…”

Photography

Individual Photograph
Erik Jepsen—Creative Services and Publications
Bronze—Dr. Seuss’s Workshop

It is hard to miss Geisel Library, especially at night. The iconic building’s 360-degree windows glow with the colors of the changing sky. When viewed through a wide-angle lens, the structure becomes almost whimsical, as though it jumped right out of a Dr. Seuss book and sprouted in the middle of campus.

Named in honor of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author himself has a special place right outside where visitors can join him at his drawing table. Erik Jepsen, ’10, a staff photographer in Creative Services and Publications, brought the sculpture to life one evening during sunset. His goal in any image is to capture the emotion behind a person or place by finding that perfect blend of light, color and composition.

Regarding the entries in this category, the judges commented, “Each of the four entries receiving awards in this sub category had highly effective composition and a good use of light either artificial, ambient or a combination of both.”

For a complete listing of 2016 CASE Circle of Excellence winners, go here.