The college’s communications—including an alumni Reunion invitation and a fundraising solicitation as well as the college’s biweekly e-newsletter for its faculty and staff, Campus Update — earned recognition in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education 2010 Accolades Awards District II competition.

Alumni and development staff received two silver awards in the category for targeted mail. The end-of-year Adobe© Flash® video e-mail “Time is running out . . .” won in the subcategory for e-solicitations. Loyola University received gold in this category, and Johns Hopkins University earned bronze. The video e-mail invitation for Reunion 2010 won silver in the invitations subcategory, where Lebanon Valley College took gold.

Reunion 2010 postcard

Campus Update, new in its online version in 2009-10 with 18 biweekly issues, earned an honorable mention. The recognition was the highest awarded in CASE’s electronic newsletters category. The Public Affairs Office produces Campus Update, and faculty and staff across campus contribute some of the news items and photos for each issue.

The recognitions come in a district with 700 institutions among seven states, two U.S. territories and Canada — the largest in CASE.

The Council for Advancement and Support of Education recognized the Oswego Alumni Association in its 2010 “Outstanding External Program” category for the day college unity is most prominently on display.

Green and Gold Day has come a long way in the short time it’s been around, said Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Relations Laura Pavlus ’09, and the additions and improvements made to last year’s event made the day worthy of the recognition.

“Last year we added an ice cream social, as well as a roller skating party held by SAPB [Student Association Planning Board],” Pavlus said. “We also added a Flickr account for alumni to upload photos. These additions really set it apart from previous years.”

Oswego is one of only three schools nationwide to earn recognition by CASE Affiliated Student Advancement Programs. Associate Director for Stewardship Michelle Tackett-Spinner ’98 said the honor “helps put Oswego on the map.”

“Oswego is competing against schools across the country that have bigger sizes and budgets, and more members,” Tackett-Spinner said. “It’s pretty exciting to know Oswego won a national award.”

The 2010 Green and Gold Day saw an even more impressive showing among the Oswego community, with almost 650 showing up for the ice cream social, more than twice the 300 who participated in 2009, and an enthusiastic group participating in the Oswego family photo, above.

CASE is the professional organization for advancement professionals at all levels who work in alumni relations, communications, fundraising, marketing and other areas. Membership includes more than 3,400 colleges, universities, independent elementary and secondary schools, and educational associates in 68 countries around the world.

— Kyle C. Gargan ’11