From the Nominator

The strategic goal of creating a centennial alumni magazine featuring 100 items and images was to celebrate the university’s rich history, strengthen alumni engagement, and reinforce institutional pride. By curating meaningful artifacts, photographs, and stories spanning 100 years, the magazine serves as both a commemorative keepsake and a bridge connecting past, present, and future generations. This approach personalizes history, making it accessible and engaging through tangible moments that resonate with alumni, students, and faculty. Each object or image acts as a storytelling device, sparking nostalgia, shared identity, and deeper emotional connections to the university. The impact extends beyond nostalgia—this initiative can drive increased alumni involvement, inspire philanthropic giving, and elevate the university’s brand. By distributing the magazine digitally and in print, we hoped to reach a broad audience, fostering a renewed sense of belonging and appreciation. The curated format also provides a compelling narrative for external audiences, enhancing the university’s reputation as a place of tradition, innovation, and excellence. Ultimately, this centennial edition is more than a historical reflection—it’s a forward-looking celebration that honors the past while inspiring the next century of university achievements. The response was truly inspiring. We received numerous insights and stories from alumni around the country whose memories were sparked by this issue. They shared their feelings and reflections, reminiscing about their experiences and deep connections to the university.

From the Judges

This thoughtful curation of objects and images offers a rich, engaging journey through the university’s history. The cohesive layout and photography that transitions from black and white to color is well done. We also liked the issue’s use of QR codes to further the stories through digital components.