Virginia Tech alumni relations efforts and several communications projects and were recently recognized with awards by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.

The university earned top honors earlier this month at CASE's District III conference in Nashville, Tennessee, and at the CASE ASAP Division III conference in Gainesville, Florida. Virginia Tech Magazine, the web series Save Our Towns, the Virginia Tech Emoji Keyboard, and alumni relations were all recognized.

CASE, the largest international association of educational institutions, helps member institutions build stronger relationships with alumni and donors, raise funds for campus projects, produce recruitment materials, market to prospective students, diversify the profession, and foster public support of education.

Each year, the organization holds awards competitions in conjunction with annual conferences to recognize work in communications, development, and alumni relations. Professionals from education and the private sector judge the categories.

The following awards were received by Virginia Tech:

  • The web series Save Our Towns, produced by Outreach and International Affairs, won the Award of Excellence for External Relations Engagement Program from CASE III. The series also won the Grand Award for a Sub unit Campaign. The monthly web series is designed for mayors in small-town Appalachian Virginia and other leaders working to improve their communities.

"Having profiled 26 towns over 36 months in three seasons of Save Our Towns, we are more committed than ever to the goal of assisting mayors and town managers in Appalachia as they strive to reinvent, recover from tough economic times, and restore economic vibrancy,” said Guru Ghosh, vice president for Outreach and International Affairs, which sponsors and produces the series. “While communications awards are a welcome recognition, the true focus is rightfully the goals of citizens and leaders as they build strong communities – a goal that they carry out with so much heart."

  • Laura Wedin, the Alumni Association’s Student Programs Director, was recently named advisor of the year for the southeast district at this year’s CASE ASAP Division III conference. Wedin advises the university’s Class officers, the Student Alumni Associates, and the Class Ring committee, among her many projects.

“I am particularly proud of Laura for earning this accolade, as it validates the great work she does every day.  She pours her heart into advising these important students groups and enhancing great student and alumni engagement programs,” said Matt Winston, senior associate vice president for alumni relations.

  • Virginia Tech Magazine won the Special Merit Award for Magazine III for issues chronicling Virginia Tech's Flint Water Study team's efforts in collaboration with citizen scientists, and the career and retirement of former Virginia Tech football coach Frank Beamer. The magazine is the university's flagship print publication. It's sent quarterly to alumni and friends and in fiscal year 2016 the its circulation averaged 162,000.
  • Virginia Tech Emoji Keyboard, or Hokiemoji project won the Grand Award for Online Innovation/Experimentation. The official Virginia Tech emoji keyboard features more than 80 emojis of iconic Virginia Tech imagery, inside jokes, and HokieBird emoji faces.
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