Randolph receives CASE Award for College magazine

Randolph College’s newly launched magazine, Vita Abundantior, was recognized this week by the Council of Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) District III.

Randolph received an Award of Excellence in the category for Magazine/Tabloid Improvement in the CASE District III annual award program. The category recognizes improvement in an overall publication over a period of two years. Randolph competed with institutions with 5,000 full-time enrolled students or less throughout the southeast region. Only three schools were recognized in the category. The first place Grand Award went to the University of Kentucky, and Virginia Military Institute received a Special Merit award.

The first issue of Vita Abundantior was published in summer 2017 after nearly a year of focus groups, brainstorming, and development. A task force of staff, alumnae, alumni, and others provided valuable insight and ideas, and the new magazine was designed to merge the best features of the College’s previous two publications, the Bulletin (a magazine focused on alumnae and alumni) and Randolph magazine (a feature-based publication aimed at all constituents).

In addition to saving money, the new magazine featured a more modern design and allowed the College to be more sustainable in its publishing practices. Published three times a year, Vita is produced by the Office of College Relations with assistance from the Office of Alumnae and Alumni Relations. The new magazine remains feature-based and honors the long-running Bulletin in a special section that includes Class Notes and other alumnae and alumni news.

“To have your work recognized by peers in such a prestigious competition is an honor, especially considering the size of the schools that Randolph competes against,” said Brenda Edson, director of the Office of College Relations and editor of the magazine. “The award is a testament to our incredibly talented staff members who work hard every day to share the stories of our students, faculty, alumnae, and alumni in compelling and interesting ways.”

This is not Randolph’s first CASE award for its College magazines. Randolph magazine won numerous awards in past years in both the overall magazine category and the improvement category. The Bulletin also earned an improvement award during a previous year.

CASE advances and supports educational and professional institutions in the southeastern United States by enhancing the effectiveness of alumni relations, fundraising, communications, marketing, and other advancement professionals who serve them.