The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is an international professional association serving educational institutions and the advancement professionals who work on their behalf in alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas.
The GAA has won the following awards for its work since 1996.
2023
District 3
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Storytelling: “Shot by Shot,” Carolina Alumni Review. An innovative approach telling the story of ESPN Executive Producer John Dahl ’86, who’s responsible for many of the most popular 30 for 30 documentaries, that marries a profile with exclusive clips and stories from his latest project, The Tournament: A History of ACC Men’s Basketball.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Writing Profile (1,000-plus words): “Shot by Shot,” Carolina Alumni Review. A profile of ESPN Executive Producer John Dahl ’86 and how he finds life messages that are applicable outside of sports in each of his documentary projects.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Writing: COVID-related: “Long Odds, Long Hours,” Carolina Alumni Review. The story of how UNC responded over the years to the stressful outbreak of COVID-19 and recovered from prematurely opening campus is told through the eyes of Amir Barzin ’06, director of the Carolina Together program, the University’s coronavirus response team charged with keeping the campus community safe.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Writing Profile (1,000-plus words): “He’s Not Broken,” Carolina Alumni Review. A profile of Eric Garcia ’14, a Washington, D.C.-based reporter, and the story of his struggle with autism that led him to write a deeply reported book busting myths about people with autism that redefines how we should think about the diagnosis.
2022
CASE International
- Gold Award: Photography — Portraits: “Down to a Fine Art,” Carolina Alumni Review. University photographer Johnny Andrews ’97 asked several Carolina students why they do what they do. May/June 2021.
- Bronze Award: The Alumni Swag Wagon, for a new, creative way of engaging alumni during the COVID-19 pandemic.
District 3
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Photography, Portraits: “Down to a Fine Art,” Carolina Alumni Review. University photographer Johnny Andrews ’97 asked several Carolina students why they do what they do. May/June 2021.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Writing, COVID-related: “Some Science Nerd!” Carolina Alumni Review. Profile on scientist Kizzmekia Corbett ’14 (PhD). September/October 2020.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Writing, News/Feature: “Lend Me Your Ears and I’ll Sing You a Song,” Carolina Alumni Review. Feature story on UNC’s Jubilee festival. July/August 2021.
- Best of CASE District 3 Award, Alumni Relations Pivot: The Alumni Swag Wagon, GAA Programs team, for a new, creative way of engaging alumni during the COVID-19 pandemic.
2021
CASE International
District 3
2020
CASE International
- Grand Gold Award: Profile feature writing: “The Guiding Light,” Carolina Alumni Review profile of Sam Anthony ’91, special assistant to the archivist of the United States, focused on his renown as a tour guide at the National Archives in Washington, D.C., and his resilience in his ongoing battle with cancer that might take away the voice that enthralls those on his tours, March/April 2019
District 3
- Gold Award: Feature Writing: “Where There Is No Silence,” Carolina Alumni Review, an extensive report in the wake of the toppling of the Confederate monument known as Silent Sam and the University community’s grappling with what to do with the statue and how to address its controversial history, September/October 2018
- Silver Award: Photography — Series: “We Had a Ball,” Carolina Alumni Review, photo essay by Review intern Alex Kormann ’19 about his senior year, May/June 2019
- Platinum Award Honorable Mention: Best Article of the Year: “The Guiding Light,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Sam Anthony ’91, special assistant to the archivist of the United States, March/April 2019
- Platinum Award Honorable Mention: Best Article of the Year: “Converting the Shot,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Charlotte Smith ’95, women’s basketball coach at Elon University, and the effect hitting the buzzer-beating winning shot for the Tar Heels in the 1994 NCAA national championship has had on her life and career, November/December 2018
- Platinum Award District Finalist: Best Practices in Alumni Relations: “Sip, Savor and Learn: Tar Heels Support Local,” a series of events that paired educational and social opportunities with unique and well-loved food- and beverage-related venues
2019
CASE International
- Silver Award: Profile feature writing — “Converting the Shot,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Charlotte Smith ’95, women’s basketball coach at Elon University, and the effect hitting the buzzer-beating winning shot for the Tar Heels in the 1994 NCAA national championship has had on her life and career, November/December 2018
District 3
- Grand Award: Alumni Relations: “Those ‘Trendy’ Tar Heels,” a series of timely programs, such as learning the Olympic ice sport of curling; an Oscars preview at a local theater, complete with blue carpet; a public forum about the NFL protests; a winter concert by the GAA-sponsored a cappella groups Clef Hangers and Loreleis; and a holiday event for families, featuring Santa in a Carolina blue suit
- Grand Award: Mobile Application-Utility/Service: UNC Alumni App
- Award of Excellence: Online Experimentation/Innovation: online balloting in GAA Board of Directors elections
- Special Merit Award: Best Articles of the Year: “How to Mend a Sole,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Chesca Colloredo-Mansfeld ’87 and Miracle Feet, her nonprofit that provides surgery to correct clubfoot in children around the world, January/February 2018
- Special Merit Award: Illustration-Interior Spread: Carolina Alumni Review’s fifth food issue, July/August 2018
2018
CASE International
- Silver Award: Topical feature writing — “Citizens of Carolina,” Carolina Alumni Review, account of the plight of UNC students who are in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, September/October 2017
- Bronze Award: Profile feature writing — “Supreme Confidence,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Tom Goldstein ’92, who argues before and, on SCOTUSblog, chronicles the activities of the U.S. Supreme Court, November/December 2017
District 3
- Grand Award: Recruitment Publication Series, Print and Digital Publications: “Revitalizing Recruitment: Membership in the Student Alumni Association at The University of North Carolina”
- Award of Excellence: Alumni Relations, CASE District III National Platinum Awards: “GAA Drive-Thru Event”
- Award of Excellence: Photography — Series, Graphic Design: “Carolina on the Wing,” Carolina Alumni Review, November/December 2016 cover story
2017
CASE International
District 3
2016
CASE International
District 3
2015
CASE International
- ASAP: Most Outstanding External Program: OBT Shadow Day
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Overall alumni magazines — Carolina Alumni Review entry was composed of three articles:
- Special Merit Award: Feature Writing for “They Carry a Heavy Burden,” May/June 2015, Carolina Alumni Review cover story about the effort to rename Saunders Hall
2014
CASE International
District 3
- Grand Award: Graphic Design — For the cover of the November/December 2013 issue of the Carolina Alumni Review about “Sexual Assault and the Law.”
- Grand Award: Publications Writing — Carolina Alumni Review entry was composed of three articles from any single issue:
- Award of Excellence: Best Practices in Alumni Relations
- Award of Excellence: Best Articles of the Year for Carolina Alumni Review article “Sexual Assault and the Law“
- Special Merit Award: Graphic Design – For the cover of the Review’s first food issue, in July/August 2014
- Special Merit Award: Feature Writing – for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Sexual Assault and the Law“
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Internal Program: OBT End of Year Banquet
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Adviser: C. Hawkins ’00, Student Engagement
2013
CASE International
- Individual Special Events Gold Medal: The Carrier Classic — Making Something Ordinary, Extraordinary
- Bronze Medal: Innovation Use of Technology — Staff mobile contact app, created for use during major GAA events
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Alumni Association: OBT
District 3
- Grand Award: Electronic/Digital: Online Innovation/Experimentation — For the Carolina Alumni Review’s digital archive and completion of alumni.unc.edu/CARarchive to include all issues of the Review dating to October 1912 and all issues of the University Report (1970-94)
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Award of Excellence: Alumni Relations Project, Event or Program, The Carrier Classic – Making Something Ordinary, Extraordinary
- Award of Excellence: Design for Print and Digital: Illustration — The Carolina Alumni Review’s March/April 2012 cover for “The Family Tree,” accompanying the magazine’s annual admissions feature; that issue reported on how legacy applications work at UNC
- Award of Excellence: Mobile Website/Application — Staff mobile Web app, created for use during major GAA events
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Organization, OBT
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Internal Program, OBT New Member Retreat
- ASAP: Tried and True Program Award, Legacy Pinning Ceremony
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Leader, Olivia Hammill ’12, OBT
2012
CASE International
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Special Merit Award: Excellence in feature writing — “The Divine Miss Kitty,” a Carolina Alumni Review profile of Katherine Carmichael in September/October 2011
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Internal Program, Histories & Mysteries Tour, OBT
- ASAP: Tried and True Program Award, Exam Study Break
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Adviser, C. Hawkins ’00, Student Membership
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Leader, Chelsea Phillips ’11, OBT
2011
CASE International
- Silver Medal: Best Articles of the Year: Higher Education — “The Client She’ll Never Give Up On,” Carolina Alumni Review profile of Christine Mumma ’85 (’98 JD) in September/October 2010
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Alumni Association: OBT
District 3
- Grand Award: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Adviser, Kat M. Butler ’07, OBT
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Alumni Association, Student Membership
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Internal Program, Restructuring of the Student Membership Program Leadership Team
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Internal Program, OBT New Member Retreat
2010
District 3
2009
CASE International
- Silver Medal: Photography — “Earning His Stripes,” Carolina Alumni Review photo illustration with cover story about Chancellor Holden Thorp ’86
- Silver Medal: Alumni Relations Programs, Diversity Initiatives
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Excellence in feature writing — the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Worn Pages, Tough Spine,” the history of Wilson Library
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Special Merit Award – Overall alumni magazines
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Alumni Association, Student Membership
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student External Program, RAMpage (student homecoming programs)
2008
CASE International
- Bronze Medal: Alumni Relations Programs, Scanner Technology
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Grand Award: Overall Advancement Services Operations, Program Scanner Technology
- Special Merit Award: Photography — “Earning His Stripes” photo illustration, Carolina Alumni Review
- Special Merit Award: Constituency Organizations Programs, Black Alumni Reunion
2007
CASE International
- Bronze Medal: Alumni Relations Programs, Scanner Technology
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Illustrations — “Outnumbered,” Carolina Alumni Review cover illustration about course numbers changing
- Special Merit Award: Electronic newsletters and tabloids — “Out of the Blue”
- Special Merit Award Overall Alumni Relations Programs
2006
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Award of Excellence: Excellence in feature writing — the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Rockin’ Roll,” the history and memories of the Porthole Restaurant
2005
CASE International
- Grand Gold Medal: Student Membership Leadership Structure
- Bronze Medal: Spring Reunion Web Pages
- Bronze Medal: Black Alumni Reunion
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Editorial design — “Catch and Release,” Carolina Alumni Review article about competing for top faculty
- Special Merit Award: Overall alumni magazines to the Carolina Alumni Review
- Special Merit Award: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
2004
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Award of Excellence: Illustrations — the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Family Circuit,” profile of Roy Williams ’72
- Special Merit Award: Overall alumni magazines
2003
CASE International
- Gold Medal: Best Article of the Year: the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Blue Genes,” feature about the many hues of Carolina Blue
- Silver Medal: Higher Education Reporting — Based on five Carolina Alumni Review articles submitted:
- Controversy about the summer reading program’s selection of Approaching the Qur’án: The Early Revelations
- “Truths Beyond Absolutes,” feature about how UNC teaches about religion
- “A Body to Die For,” about eating disorders among college students
- “A Grudging Acceptance,” feature about 50 years of African-American students at UNC
- Coverage of how UNC handles animals used in research in light of allegations by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
- Bronze Medal: Periodical staff writing to the Carolina Alumni Review:
- “Breathing Lessons,” feature about UNC’s cystic fibrosis research
- “Blue Genes”
- “A Grudging Acceptance,” feature about 50 years of African-American students at UNC
- “The Plaintiff Won’t Settle,” profile of civil rights leader Julius Chambers ’62 (LLBJD)
- “Truths Beyond Absolutes,” feature about how UNC teaches about religion
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Editorial design — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Blue Genes”
- Award of Excellence: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Special Merit Award: Overall alumni magazines, Carolina Alumni Review
- Special Merit Award: Improvement in design, Carolina Alumni Review
- Special Merit Award: Excellence in feature writing, Carolina Alumni Review
- Special Merit Award: to the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “A Grudging Acceptance”
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student Alumni Association, OBT
- ASAP: Most Outstanding Student External Program, OBT Student Alumni Externship Program
2002
CASE International
- Circle of Excellence: Alumni Education
- Bronze Medal: Periodical staff writing for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s articles:
- “Educating Michie,” profile of Chicago teacher Greg Michie ’85 *
- “Faith, Hope and Clarity,” profile of Bishop John Shelby Spong ’52
- “On My Honor,” feature about UNC’s honor code
- “The Wait is Over,” profile of veteran broadcaster Carl Kasell ’56
- “Tray Gourmet,” feature about changes in campus dining
District 3
- Grand Award: News and feature writing — “Educating Michie,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Chicago teacher Greg Michie ’85
- Award of Excellence: News and feature writing — “Faith, Hope and Clarity,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Bishop John Shelby Spong ’52
- Special Merit: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
2001
CASE International
- Gold Medal: Higher Education Reporting — Based on five Carolina Alumni Review features submitted:
- Genetics and genomics research at UNC
- The crisis in the nursing profession
- Carolina’s laptop requirement for in-coming freshmen
- Chronicle of the capital improvement needs connected to the fall 2000 statewide bond issue
- Being disabled on campus
District 3
- Grand Award: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Grand Award: News and feature writing — “All America, All Alone,” Carolina Alumni Review, retrospective on basketball star Charlie Scott ’70 *
- Special Merit Award: News and feature writing — “First in Flight,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of Air Force pilot Sheila Johnson ’96
- Special Merit Award: Web site design and implementation (for GAA website)
- Special Merit Award: External newsletters (for BluePrints)
2000
CASE International
- Silver Medal: Overall Student Involvement Programs
District 3
- Grand Award: Overall Alumni Relations Programs
- Special Merit Award: News and feature writing — “The Man Who Owns Titanic,” Carolina Alumni Review, profile of George Tulloch ’66
1999
CASE International
- Gold Medal: Higher Education Reporting — Based on five Carolina Alumni Review features submitted:
- Faculty tenure
- The history of the GI Bill
- Undergraduate advising
- International studies
- A class that examined the issue of the University’s contract with Nike
- Bronze Medal: Alumni Relations Publications, Civil War Brochure
District 3
- Grand Award: Photo essay or series — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “What Was Alive Inside This Factory”
- Award of Excellence: Photo essay or series — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “A College Town Reflected”
1998
CASE International
- Bronze Medal: Individual Alumni Relations Publications (GAA publications overall)
District 3
- Grand Award: Photo essay or series — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “One Day in March”
- Award of Excellence: Photography — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Women’s Soccer Champs”
- Award of Excellence: Design/Illustration — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Coach,” about the retirement of Coach Dean Smith
1997
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Feature writing — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Fifty Years of the Chancellorship”
- Special Merit Award: Editorial design — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “Five Friends Remembered,” about the Phi Gam fire
1996
District 3
- Award of Excellence: Feature writing — for the Carolina Alumni Review‘s “The War Years,” about UNC during World War II
* “Educating Michie” also was one of 30 features representing 21 alumni magazines selected as a finalist for Best Article of the Year in CASE National Awards for 2002.
“All America, All Alone” was one of 20 features selected as a finalist for Best Article of the Year in CASE National Awards for 2001.
The Carolina Alumni Review was one of 12 finalists for its submissions for Periodical Staff Writing in CASE National Awards for 2001.