The UMass Magazine summer and fall 2021 issues received a gold award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) in the global, not-for-profit association’s annual Circle of Excellence Awards contest. The distinction was awarded in the magazines and periodicals category for best publication design
In 2022, CASE received more than 4,500 entries from 636 institutions in nearly 30 countries. Applications to CASE awards come from educational institutions around the world, from teams of all sizes. CASE’s Circle of Excellence Awards are the premier recognition program for educational advancement.
In keeping with the university’s mission to nurture the revolutionary spirit of its diverse community, the award-winning issues showcased:
- “The One Constant” - the community’s resilience during the COVID-19 lockdowns and other big life changes
- “Retaking the Stage” - cutting-edge innovations that allowed alumni theater owners and performing arts students to continue their crafts through the pandemic
- “Black Women: Visible and Heard” - the authentic voice of trailblazing archivist and Black history curator, Irma McClaurin ’76MFA, ’89MA, ’93Ph.D.
“The design feels very modern and clean,” wrote the CASE contest judges. “Great use of color, photography, and illustration...The covers are great. Very creative throughout.”
Though not the first recognition the magazine has received; the gold award marks its highest level of recognition. In 2019, two silver prizes were awarded by CASE in the single-issue and website categories, under the leadership of now-retired long-time editors Robert Lindquist and Patricia Sullivan. Now housed in Advancement, the magazine is led by editors Candice Pinault Novak and Lori Shine ’04MFA.