Concordia wins grand gold Circle of Excellence Award
Concordia has won its first-ever Grand Gold Circle of Excellence Award for a fundraising publication.
Circle of Excellence Awards — bronze, silver, gold and grand gold — are overseen by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).
The university’s 2022 Case for Support and companion website — in support of the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now — were distinguished in the category of Fundraising Case Statements and General Cultivation Publications.
“My heartfelt congratulations to everyone who lent their talents and skills in producing our Campaign for Concordia case for support and website, and who submitted the work for international recognition,” says Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins, BA 97, director of Advancement Communications, whose team oversaw the materials.
“Concordia’s case for support is our blueprint for our university’s future, and much consultation with our president, provost, deans, academic partners and volunteers was needed before we finalized our materials. Thanks to our academic partners, as well as our colleagues from University Advancement and University Communications Services.”
CASE received 4,021 entries from around the world, in several categories, that were evaluated by a panel of 425 volunteer judges. Only 31 grand gold prizes were awarded globally in 2023.
Concordia was in good company in its category. Fellow winners included Florida International University (bronze); the University of Houston (silver); Williston Northampton School as well as the University of Virginia (both tied for gold).
The winning Campaign for Concordia case for support was managed and written by Luke Quin, BA 07, University Advancement’s senior communications advisor, with writing support from communicatons advisor Joanne Latimer, MFA 94.
Desjardins served as editor. Design was led by graphic designer Stephen Pan with support on concept ideation from University Communications Services lead designer Christopher Alleyne, BA 09, and Advancement graphic designer and multimedia producer Trevor Browne.
The web version was produced by Quin and Janine Lavallée, web coordinator, with the support of web/user interface designer Diane Leyland, BFA 95.
The consultation process to develop Concordia’s Case for Support lasted almost 18 months.
Feedback was obtained from over 100 alumni and donors who reviewed a beta version of document as part of roundtables with Concordia President Graham Carr.
Circle of Excellence judges provided this feedback on the university’s winning entry: “The committee felt that this piece would appeal to both young donors and those who look to make a significant impact on the university and its students.”
Sue Cunningham, president and CEO of CASE, says Circle of Excellence Awards showcase the impact advancement professionals have upon their institutions and communities around the globe.
“Our 2023 honorees — from diverse institutions and teams of all sizes — are bold, creative and resourceful, Cunningham says. “They demonstrate how powerful it is when advancement teams champion teaching, learning, research and the progress that education ignites.”