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Concordia wins international award for alumni engagement

University Advancement’s 50 under 50 initiative receives Bronze Circle of Excellence Award from CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education)
June 18, 2020
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Concordia’s 50 under 50 shaping business, a multi-platform initiative to showcase trailblazing graduates, has earned a major accolade.

The honour comes from CASE (Council for Advancement and Support of Education), a global non-profit association dedicated to educational advancement.

Each year, its prestigious Circle of Excellence awards recognize higher education’s best in communications, development, marketing and advancement services around the world.

Concordia’s entry, submitted in the category of targeted alumni engagement, received a bronze. Judges noted the campaign’s multi-platform quality, which they said was increasingly relevant in today’s environment.

Concordia’s fellow winners were Harvard University (bronze); the University of Virginia and Miami University (silver); Princeton University and University of Glasgow (gold).

“It was a truly interdisciplinary and team effort,” says Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, BA 97, director of communications for University Advancement, which spearheaded the 50 under 50. “Our Prospect Research and Development team helped source candidates, while Communications oversaw all 50 interviews, marketing and social media amplification.

“Since the publication of our 50 Under 50 in June 2019, Alumni Relations has continued to build on our relationships with these high-profile individuals.”

Concordia’s first 50 under 50 featured Q&As with all its honourees, who spoke candidly on the hallmarks of their success, the challenges they faced and their connection to Concordia.

To drive online engagement, mini videos were produced, including one for each of six categories:

Several staff and freelancers helped shape the project:

Luke Quin, BA 07, writer, fundraising and special projects for University Advancement, was project manager and editor.

Heather Thompson, BFA 01, GrDip 04, manager, publications and projects for University Advancement, and Doug Sweet, freelance editor, provided editing.

Damon Van Der Linde, BA 07, freelance writer; Jasmin Legatos, freelance writer; Joseph Leger, BA 15, writer, special projects for University Advancement; Marta Samuel, GrDip 14, writer, special projects for University Advancement; and Emma Brayley, BA 19, communications intern, conducted interviews and wrote bios.

Raji Zreik, senior prospect development analyst for University Advancement, and Geoff Donaldson, prospect management associate for University Advancement, provided research.

Mélodie Le Siège, BA 10, social media and multimedia producer for University Advancement, provided social media strategy, video and branding.

Stephen Pan and Trevor Browne, graphic designers for University Advancement provided additional design elements; and Julia Scandella, BA 15, editorial coordinator for University Communications Services provided social media support.

Janine Lavallee, digital communications coordinator for University Advancement; Beth Luscombe, webmaster and digital content advisor for University Communications Services; and Diane Leyland, web designer for University Communication Services, delivered the campaign’s signature microsite.



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