The University of Guelph departments of Alumni Affairs and Development, Athletics, and Communications and Public Affairs received three gold awards, two silver and one bronze in the 2013 Prix d’Excellence competition hosted by the Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education (CCAE).  The awards were presented during CCAE’s national conference June 8 to 10 in St. John’s, Nfld.

The awards were:

• Gold in the category Best Donor Relations Initiative for the 2012 Impact of Giving Report/Calendar.
• Gold in Best Fundraising Case Statement and Campaign Materials for collateral material used to launch the Gryphon Athletics Capital Campaign “Building Potential.”
• Gold in Best Development Initiative for the grassroots fundraising campaign that raised $1 million to complete the international-calibre track and field facility at Alumni Stadium.
• Silver in the category Best Use of Multi-Media for a thank-you video sent to University of Guelph donors on National Philanthropy Day in November 2012.
• Silver in Best News Release in English for an article about people’s tendency to spend dirty, crumpled currency and hold on to new bills. The research was conducted by Prof. Theodore Noseworthy, Marketing and Consumer Studies.
• Bronze in the category Best Development Initiative for new stewardship reports that celebrate the philanthropy of key University donors; each report takes the form of a personal story about an individual’s relationship with the University and the impact of their giving.

CCAE is a professional association with 1,400 members who represent more than 140 educational institutions across Canada. The 20-year-old group provides recognition and professional development for Canadian advancement professionals working in advancement services, alumni relations, communications and marketing, enrolment management, fundraising, government relations and public affair.