The release of CASE at 50: A Narrative History of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education heralds the start of a year-long celebration of CASE’s 50th anniversary.
The book tracks the evolution of the association beginning in 1974 when the American Alumni Council and the American College Public Relations Association merged to form CASE through to the present day in which CASE is a global force representing advancement professionals in the disciplines of alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services at independent schools, colleges, universities, and related institutions.
In its founding year, CASE had just more than 2,000 member institutions representing fewer than 7,000 advancement professionals. Today the association’s membership includes 97,000 professionals at 3,100 institutions in more than 80 countries.
“CASE at 50 tells the story of a maturing advancement profession inclusive of all disciplines and honors the pioneers whose vision continues to inspire us,” said Sue Cunningham, CASE President and CEO, in her foreword.
The book was officially introduced at a launch party on Jan. 17 at CASE headquarters in Washington, D.C., where staff members gathered for “cupcakes and bubbles,” a trivia contest, and remarks by Cunningham and the book’s author Rob Moore. A video of the event was shared with CASE staff in regional offices in Europe, Latin America, and Asia Pacific.
“What I found most interesting about CASE was in the stories—the fact that CASE lives on personal connections, on deep friendships, upon the kind of commitment people have to each other and to CASE. Researching the book, I conducted more than 50 interviews with CASE volunteers and staff, and their stories drive the narrative” said Moore, who previously served as a special advisor to the president and as Vice President for Marketing and Communications at CASE. He is widely regarded throughout the profession for his work in higher education marketing.
Moore structured his storytelling within significant time periods of CASE global growth featuring five parts:
- Part I 1974-1994: Founding and Formulation
- Part II 1994-2007: Growth in Europe
- Part III 2007-2015: Asia Beckons
- Part IV 2015-2019: Beyond Many Borders
- Part V 2019-present: A Global Perspective
During the book launch, Cunningham acknowledged the growth of CASE alongside the worldwide growth of the profession, and fittingly, she noted, the anniversary celebration would also focus on the future of the profession.
“When we started this conversation with our Board … and were thinking about how we might celebrate our 50th, a big part of the conversation focused on this being an ambitious, nimble, passionate organization that is pursuing our strategic plan, Championing Advancement,” she said. “So let the 50th anniversary year be about advancing those ambitions.”
With that in mind, member input will be a key component of CASE’s 50th anniversary events. At many of CASE’s conferences throughout the world, unique panel discussions will invite member participation on key themes facing the profession today and into the future. This input will be captured to inform strategies for the future of advancement.
For more on how members can be part of the future-oriented narrative, visit Celebrating 50 Years.
About the author(s)
About CASE
CASE—the Council for Advancement and Support of Education—is a global, not-for-profit membership association with a vision to advance education to transform lives and society.
CASE is the home for advancement professionals, inspiring, challenging, and equipping them to act effectively and with integrity to champion the success of their institutions. CASE defines the competencies and standards for the profession of advancement, leading, and championing their dissemination and application with more than 97,000 advancement professionals at 3,100 member institutions in 80 countries.
Broad and growing communities of professionals gather under the global CASE umbrella. Currently these include alumni relations, development services, communications, fundraising, government relations, and marketing. These professionals are at all stages of their careers and may be working in universities, schools, colleges, cultural institutions, or other not-for-profits. CASE uses the intellectual capital and professional talents of a community of international volunteers to advance its work, and its membership includes many educational partners who work closely with the educational sector.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CASE works across all continents from its regional offices in London, Singapore, and Mexico City to achieve a seamless experience for all its stakeholders, particularly its members, volunteers, and staff.