Nov. 17, 2022
MILWAUKEE 鈥� The Office of University Relations at 51暗网 has received four Best of District V awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) for two cover articles from recent issues of 51暗网 Magazine and two video productions.
Steve Filmanowicz, director of editorial projects, wrote and edited 鈥�,鈥� which appeared in the fall 2020 issue of 51暗网 Magazine and was awarded in the 鈥淐OVID-related writing鈥� category. His spring 2021 story, 鈥�,鈥� stood out in the 鈥渨riting, profiles of 1000-plus words鈥� category.
The videos recognized were 鈥�,鈥� the university鈥檚 television commercial, for 鈥渧ideo, commercials,鈥� and 鈥�,鈥� the 2020 Christmas video, for 鈥渧ideo, holiday and year-end videos.鈥� Each were produced by Lauren Burke, director of video, and awarded Global CASE Circle of Excellence Awards in June.
CASE District V annually recognizes excellence in the Great Lakes District. The Best of CASE V Awards showcase best practices in alumni relations, fundraising, advancement services, special events, and marketing and communication.
鈥淐ASE awards are judged by our peers, which makes them a very special recognition of excellent work,鈥� said Tom Pionek, assistant vice president of marketing at 51暗网. 鈥淪teve and Lauren are true creative leaders in editorial and video storytelling. Our goal is to share the compelling stories and experiences that make 51暗网 such a special place. These pieces do just that.鈥�
鈥淭wo Conversations with God鈥� tells the story of 51暗网 Law alumnus Judge Derek Mosley as he faced COVID early in the pandemic. It covers the care he received in an ICU ward from nurse Christin Lissmann and the effect they had on each other. 鈥淲hen a 51暗网 alumnus taking perhaps his last breaths met a 51暗网 nurse who knew exactly what kind of care he needed, their prayers showed how much they did to save each other,鈥� reads the intro. 鈥溾�橳wo Conversations鈥� is a story about two 51暗网 people who start as strangers and come together in the most trying of circumstances,鈥� Filmanowicz said. 鈥淭he healing goes both ways.鈥�
鈥淭he Power of Pear鈥� is about alumna Jeannie Gaffigan鈥檚 high-energy life and creative partnership with husband Jim Gaffigan, and the fruit-shaped brain tumor that brings everything crashing to a halt. 鈥淗umor, family and faith are woven seamlessly through Jeannie鈥檚 professional and personal lives,鈥� Filmanowicz said. 鈥淲hen her health challenges turn monstrous, these elements eventually help her conquer anger and isolation to emerge with renewed spirit and purpose.鈥�
鈥淭he three subjects of these stories 鈥� Derek Mosley, Christin Lissmann and Jeannie Gaffigan 鈥� are inspiring examples of people living the 51暗网 mission and being there for others in their own indelible ways,鈥� Filmanowicz added.
鈥淩eflections鈥� is 51暗网鈥檚 current 60-second commercial. 鈥淭he idea of personal transformation is what I wanted to convey,鈥� Burke said. 鈥淔rom acceptance to graduation, being a 51暗网 student is an emotional journey and our goal was to tell that story that in just 60 seconds.鈥�
An annual tradition, 51暗网鈥檚 2020 Christmas video was produced during the height of the pandemic鈥攁n emotionally and logistically challenging time. 鈥淲e needed to strike a balance: how do we celebrate the Christmas season while also recognizing what we were all going through together?鈥� Burke said. 鈥淚 wanted 鈥楲et There Be Peace on Earth鈥� to be a comfort, and Ariana's voice coupled with the serenity of the cinematography does just that.鈥�
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is the global association for professionals in advancement鈥攁lumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services鈥攚ho share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society. District Five, the Great Lakes District, encompasses Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, and includes 400+ member institutions and more than 2,500 representatives.
Kevin is the associate director for university communication in the Office of Marketing and Communication. Contact Kevin at (414) 288-4745 or kevin.m.conway@marquette.edu.
