Watson Library Centennial Celebration garners CASE Circle of Excellence Award
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has announced the 2025 Circle of Excellence Award winners, which include a Gold Award for KU Libraries’ Watson Library Centennial Celebration Season.
The premier accolades for educational advancement, CASE's COE Awards celebrate colleges, universities, and schools whose talented staff advance their institutions with ingenuity and resourcefulness. Teams from 640 institutions in 33 countries entered the awards, submitting 4,460 entries. The 93 award categories span all advancement disciplines, including magazines and publications, fundraising campaigns, alumni initiatives, special events, marketing, leadership, video, and more.
KU Libraries’ Office of Communications & Advancement was honored in the category, “Special Events | In-Person - Multi-Day Events” for the Watson Library Centennial Celebration season, hosted at the University of Kansas throughout fall 2024. Through a series of 15 in-person events, the anniversary recognition of KU's beloved flagship library successfully delivered a variety of experiences. This included engaging the entire KU community through a wide variety of celebratory events (including activities for students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors, and community members), honoring Watson Library’s 100-year legacy by showcasing its impact through exhibitions, events, and digital storytelling, promoting donor engagement by organizing special events (such as "Rhapsody in Jayhawk Blue," a donor appreciation dinner held at Watson Library), and raising the visibility of KU Libraries both on and off campus (reinforcing its vital role in academic and community life). Kansas Governor Laura Kelly issued a formal proclamation naming September 2024 as Watson Library Month.
"I have had the privilege of witnessing firsthand the extraordinary dedication, boundless creativity, and seamless teamwork our five-person OCA team has demonstrated over the past year of planning and executing an ambitious season of celebration,” KU Libraries Dean Carol Smith said. “The Centennial Celebration of Watson Library has been a pivotal milestone for KU Libraries, and the OCA team led every aspect of the initiative—from branding and communications to event planning and donor engagement—with precision, enthusiasm, and a shared vision."
OCA’s Centennial planning team included Christy McWard, Executive Director; Kevin McCarty, Assistant Director; Nikki Pirch, Art Director; Wendy Conover, Communications Coordinator; and Christin Monts, who served as Events Coordinator.
This year, volunteer judges from CASE’s membership selected 477 exemplary entries for bronze, silver, gold, and grand gold recognition. Winners are selected for overall quality, innovation, use of resources, and the impact on the institution or its communities, such as alumni, parents, students, faculty, and staff.
“Great alternative ideas to a gala,” CASE judges noted on KU Libraries’ gold recognition. “The diverse range of events ensured that there was something for everyone, from students to alumni to community members. Nice to see the anniversary tie in throughout the events and not just have multiple events underneath the banner of an anniversary. The high return on investment and the effective use of resources are commendable.”
Award entries were considered for global recognition and regional or district recognition. CASE will announce the Best of Regions/Districts later in 2025.
“The Circle of Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary creativity, passion, and innovation demonstrated by advancement professionals at institutions around the world,” says Sue Cunningham, CASE President and CEO. “These awards not only celebrate outstanding achievements but also underscore how essential this work is to strengthen educational communities and positively shape lives and society. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to this year's recipients for their dedication and remarkable accomplishments.”