Three publications produced by Vanderbilt University News and Communications and an engagement event series sponsored by Vanderbilt’s Development and Alumni Relations division have received top awards in the 2015 Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s (CASE) District III competition.
Vanderbilt Magazine received the Special Merit Award in the Magazine II category. It also received the Award of Excellence for graphic design for its Summer 2013 cover “Lords of the Realm.” GayNelle Doll serves as editor, Phillip Tucker serves as associate editor and production manager, Seth Robertson serves as assistant editor and online content manager, and Bonnie Ertelt serves as Class Notes and arts and culture editor. Vanderbilt Creative Services’ Donna Pritchett serves as art director and designer, and Daniel Dubois is director of photography. The publication is sent quarterly to a readership of 131,000, most of whom are Vanderbilt alumni. The magazine team works closely with Development and Alumni Relations to produce each issue.
Vanderbilt Business received the Award of Excellence in the Magazine/Tabloid Improvement II category. Nancy Wise serves as editor, and Jan Read serves as senior director of editorial and planning. Creative Services’ Mike Smeltzer and Chris Collins serve as designers, Donna Pritchett serves as art director, and Daniel Dubois is director of photography. The publication is sent biannually to a readership of approximately 12,000, most of whom are Owen Graduate School of Management alumni. The Vanderbilt Business team works closely with Owen School Dean Eric Johnson, the school’s Marketing and Communications Department, and Development and Alumni Relations to produce each issue.
MyVU received the Award of Excellence in the Tabloid category. Kara Furlong serves as editor of MyVU, and Jan Read serves as senior director of editorial and planning. Creative Services’ Deborah Brewington is senior designer, and Daniel Dubois is director of photography. MyVU is a publication for the university and medical center community targeting faculty and staff. The printed publication has online companions in a regularly updated website and biweekly electronic newsletter, both also called MyVU. The MyVU team partners closely with Vanderbilt Human Resources to communicate timely information to faculty and staff that they might find useful for navigating their work lives.
Development and Alumni Relations received the Special Merit Award in the Alumni Relations Engagement Project, Event or Program category for “Life After Vanderbilt: An Exclusive Senior Event Series.” Lauren Obersteadt, executive director of Alumni and Student Engagement; Sarah Quinn, associate director of Student-Alumni Engagement; and Celia Gregory, assistant director of Student-Alumni Engagement, are responsible for the inaugural Life After Vanderbilt series, which launched in spring 2014 to bring to life the successful “Life After Vanderbilt Guide.” The guide offers real advice from young alumni to Vanderbilt seniors to help them conquer and prevail after graduation, and the goal of the series was to create relevant, exciting opportunities to connect seniors with Vanderbilt’s global alumni network and continue their lifelong engagement with the university.
In addition, Vice Chancellor for Public Affairs Beth Fortune was recognized as Mentor of the Year by CASE District III. Fortune was recognized for the impact she’s made on other advancement professionals through her mentorship.
Awards were handed out at the CASE District III conference held Feb. 15-18 in Orlando, Florida.