This photo of a Miami sunrise is part of a collection that received honors in the CASE competition.
This photo of a Miami sunrise is part of a collection that received honors in the CASE competition. Photo: Scott Kissell
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Miami earns 17 honors in annual CASE V district awards

Miami University earned awards in the 2018 Pride of CASE V district awards.

University advancement and university communications and marketing won a total of 17 awards in the annual competition. Miami’s Libraries received a Gold.

In the last four years of the District V competition, Miami has won 48 total awards. The district membership includes more than 400 public and private universities, community colleges and K-12 institutions from Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

Structured in a tournament format, each district conducts the first round of judging for Platinum Categories and selects up to two entries. Finalists from all districts or regions will then be judged in a national second round to determine which entries deserve Platinum recognition.

Miami’s silver award in Platinum Categories will represent District V in the international competition this spring. Platinum distinction recognizes the best-of-the-best programs and practices in educational advancement. There were over 300 submissions overall in this year’s CASE V awards.

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The 2018 HawkTank awarded $141,496 for projects.

Platinum Categories

Silver – Best Practices in Fundraising – M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Symposium/Hawk Tank

The 2017 M.I.A.M.I WOMEN Symposium and Hawk Tank was a two-day event that presented discussions and interactive events on the theme of health and wellness. The Hawk Tank portion of the event, a fast-paced pitch session modeled after the popular ABC TV show, “Shark Tank,” brought 15 finalists to the stage to compete for funds. In total, $104,000 was donated and given to winning groups of students and faculty such as Girls Who Code, Miami Women’s Hockey, Opening Minds through Art and more.

  • University advancement staff involved: Heidi Bortel, Auriel Buchanan, Josh Chapin, Suzanne Clark, Rick Green, Tonya Moryl, Kelly Paulenich, Andrew Sander, Jessica Staubach, Kim Tavares

CASE District V Award Categories

In the CASE District V award categories, Miami won five golds, four silvers, six bronze awards and one honorable mention.

GOLD

Best Video Fundraising, Alumni Relations and Commercial Spots – #MoveInMiami Thank You Video

The 2017 #MoveInMiami campaign, a participation-driven effort celebrating its fourth year, set an initial goal of attaining 2,021 gifts in 20 hours and 21 minutes to honor the incoming first-year class. The goal was quickly surpassed with a total of 4,341 gifts of all sizes and to all areas of Miami’s campus. In all, the effort raised $1,373,310 for more than 300 designations campuswide. 

  • University advancement staff involved: Emily Berry, Auriel Buchanan, Brad Bundy, Josh Chapin, Tom Herbert, Spencer Izor, Mark Macechko, Ellen Paxton, Casey Peugh, Michelle Martin Rosecrans, Nicki Russell, Kim Tavares, Shilpi Tiwari, Sarah Templeton Wilson and Kevin Wilson

Best Diversity Program:  A Conversation with Wil Haygood '76 and Jeff Pegues '92 on Race in America, part of the series, "Spririt of '64: Miami University and the Enduring Legacy of Freedom Summer" (Also won a silver, see below.)

The Miami University Alumni Association, in partnership with the office of the president and office of institutional diversity, introduced this new program that reflected on how Freedom Summer became the catalyst for progress and change in the United States, as well as how it permanently affected the fabric of Miami University. Alumni Wil Haygood ’76 and Jeff Pegues ’92 returned to southwest Ohio for an event, open to the public, in which they each shared their thoughts on race in America.

  • University staff involved: Pamela Hogeback, Michelle Martin Rosecrans, Nicki Russell, Kim Tavares, Andrew Sander, Ron Scott, Auriel Buchanan, and Josh Chapin

Best Program in Annual Giving – #MoveInMiami

  • University advancement staff involved: Emily Berry, Auriel Buchanan, Jessica Staubach, Brad Bundy, Suzanne Clark, Josh, Chapin, Tom Herbert, Mark Macechko, Ellen Paxton, Casey Peugh, Ali Place, Michelle Martin Rosecrans, Kim Tavares, Sarah Templeton Wilson, Kevin Wilson

Best Event on a Shoestring – M.I.A.M.I. WOMEN Symposium/Hawk Tank

  • University advancement staff involved: Heidi Bortel, Auriel Buchanan, Josh Chapin, Suzanne Clark, Rick Green, Tonya Moryl, Kelly Paulenich, Andrew Sander, Jessica Staubauch, Kim Tavares

Jerry Williams

Jerry Williams

Excellence in Feature Writing, Individual – History’s Lost and Found: The Story of Jerry Williams

This story focuses on how a scholar's research and a nearly 80-year-old letter found in the university archives helped expose and right a forgotten wrong. Through a series of interviews and sometimes surprising twists, the feature follows the remarkable life of Miami's first African American student-athlete, Jerry Williams, who posthumously received his degree in 2017.

  • University Libraries staff involved: Vince Frieden, Jacqueline Johnson, Lindsey Masters; University staff involved: Zeb Baker, university honors program.

SILVER

Best Volunteer Engagement Program - Mbassadors

In the spring of 2016, the Miami University Alumni Association introduced a social media ambassador program called “Mbassadors,” designed to amass a group of volunteers to share the latest news and information about the university on social media. They use the vendor Social Toaster to host the program. To date, the program has more than 1,000 Mbassadors, while maintaining high email open rates and post share rates. The number of Mbassadors has increased followers by an average of 60 percent each year since the program was introduced.

  • University advancement staff involved: Emily Berry, Auriel Buchanan, Brad Bundy, Suzanne Clark, Tom Herbert, Spencer Izor, Mark Macechko, Ellen Paxton, Casey Peugh, Ali Place, Michelle Martin Rosecrans, Kim Tavares, Sarah Templeton Wilson, Kevin Wilson

Graduate Program Alumni – Graduate Research Form

The Graduate Research Forum is an opportunity for Miami University graduate students to share their scholarship with the university community. Students present their scholarship in oral sessions and poster sessions and are evaluated by faculty and alumni judges. Awards are given to the top oral and top poster presentations.

  • University advancement staff involved: Michael Kumler, Auriel Buchanan, Josh Chapin, Suzanne Clark, Rick Green, Tonya Moryl, Kelly Paulenich, Andrew Sander, Jessica Staubach, Kim Tavares

Best Video Feature – Short – “Journeys - Racing The River”

“Racing the River” is a 1-minute, 46-second video that accompanies a long-form narrative, “Journeys.” The story features Miami students who test themselves and nature by paddling all 981 miles of the Ohio River in 40 days to raise money for suicide prevention.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: De'Niel Phipps, Omari Matlock and Margo Kissell.

Excellence in Special Events, Individual – “A Conversation with Wil Haygood ’76 and Jeff Pegues ’92 on Race in America, part of the series “Spirit of ’64: Miami University and the Enduring Legacy of Freedom Summer”

  • University staff involved: Auriel Buchanan, Josh Chapin, Pamela Hogeback, Michelle Martin Rosecrans, Nicki Russell, Kim Tavares, Andrew Sander, Ron Scott

BRONZE

Best Uses of Social Media – #TuesdayTours

In October 2017, the Miami University Alumni Association launched the social media series #TuesdayTours with the intent to highlight popular or behind-the-scenes places on campus and engage alumni. At the time of submitting the entry, the three #TuesdayTour videos aired in 2017 have collectively received more than 33,500 views.

  • University advancement staff involved: Auriel Buchanan, Suzanne Clark, Mark Macechko, Nicki Russell

Coach gets a celebratory dousing with water by her team

Celebrating a winning season in 2017 also wins photo award. (Photo by Scott Kissell)

Excellence in Photography – Miami University Campus Scenes

This collection of photos showcases an array of activity on Miami's campus. They showcase the excitement of a MAC volleyball championship to the emotion of Commencement.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Scott Kissell

Best Program Recruitment Publication, Individual – Search Mailer

The Search Mailer introduces high school students to the college search process and is the first print piece they receive from Miami. This year’s mailer featured instant photo style snapshots of how students can “Explore. Learn. Do. Become more at Miami.” The message positions Miami as a place to explore interests, learn through interactive experiences, participate in a wide variety of organizations and activities, and become anything you imagine.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Alicia Auhagen, Paige Hake, Adam Wolfe, Melissa Spencer

Best Recruitment Website or Microsite – Explore. Learn. Do. Become More at Miami (Search Campaign Microsite)

The Search Campaign microsite is part of a multi-channel campaign to introduce high school students to Miami. A targeted group of sophomores and juniors received emails directing them to this microsite, where they could participate in an interactive, personalized quiz. Their answers were used in customized responses that showed them how to “Explore. Learn. Do. Become more at Miami.” through statistics, outcomes, and profiles of successful alumni. The goal of the Search microsite and campaign was to encourage students to express interest in Miami and opt-in to future communications.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Jason Walters, Erik Seyferth, Jessica Rea, Jeri Moore, Halie Best

Best Cover (Magazine, Tabloid, or Brochure) – Front Cover of Spring 2018 MIAMIAN, “Journeys”

The “Journeys” cover for the Spring 2018 Miamian evokes thoughts of Andrew Wyeth’s painting, “Christina’s World” with the way it directs the reader’s view into the horizon. Because the designer dared to show the hiker’s back, the reader is pulled into the photo and joins her Appalachian Trail trek.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Lilly Pereira (freelancer), Belinda Rutherford, and Donna Boen

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Violist Nathan Groot and Professor Harvey Thurmer discuss Alexander Technique principles to help keep musicians fit.

Excellence in Feature Writing, Series – Best Kept Fitness Secrets of Miami’s Musicians

The three-part series “Best Kept Fitness Secrets of Miami’s Musicians” highlights the physically demanding nature of the fine arts. This was featured during a university communications and marketing health and well-being campaign in March. This series showcased Miami’s student performers to remind readers that fitness extends beyond the gym and encourage them to make smart lifestyle choices

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Karen O’Hara, Jeanne Harmeyer, Jeri Moore and Donna Boen.

HONORABLE MENTION

Excellence in Design, Single Brochures – Student Activities: Find Your Place

Miami’s 600+ student organizations stand out among competitor schools. This brochure highlights the university’s commitment to a well-rounded college experience. Although student organizations are about fun and pursuing your interests outside the classroom, Miami’s programs also emphasize leadership and engagement. They also encourage the connection that comes with participation and the sense of community it creates.

  • University communications and marketing staff involved: Adam Wolfe