Acadia University has been honoured with prestigious awards at the 39th Annual Educational Advertising Awards competition, showcasing the institution's excellence in Alumni and Donor Relations. Amidst stiff competition, the University's Office of Advancement communications team secured Gold and Silver awards, alongside Merit recognitions, reflecting their outstanding ability to execute impactful communications strategies.  

The University's fall 2023 Bulletin e-publication received a Gold award, demonstrating the team's dedication to maintaining a strong connection with alumni. Furthermore, the "It's Time to Come Home - Homecoming 2023” Instagram campaign also earned Gold, illustrating the team's expertise in using social media to engage alumni and encourage their participation in Homecoming activities.  

A Silver was presented to the Annual Report and Proposal to the Harrison McCain Foundation, which provided an in-depth review of faculty and scholar progress supported by the donor. The Student Centre Case for Support brochure achieved a Merit distinction, indicative of strategic efforts to involve donors in modernizing student facilities.  

Additional Merit awards recognized proficiency in strategic communications through the Acadia 2025 Strategic Plan Report and two videos highlighting the University's commitment to strategic visioning and environmental issues.  

Nancy Handrigan (’92), Vice-President, Advancement at Acadia University, praised the team's exceptional performance in such a competitive setting, as highlighted by the comprehensive list of winners and diverse categories in the 2024 Winners List. "The Educational Advertising Awards attract participation from leading educational institutions globally. Our team's success in this competitive landscape speaks to their talent and the high quality of their work," Handrigan said.   

"Receiving these awards affirms the strategic insight and creative energy that our team invests in our communications. Such recognition from our peers in educational marketing and communications is a significant achievement for Acadia University,” she said. “The recognition reinforces our commitment to fostering enduring relationships with our valued alumni and donors." 

Alumni Association Vice-President Christine (Luckasavitch) McRae (’11) agreed, saying, “this is fantastic. Congratulations to the team, and to our Communications Committee members for their support.”

The Educational Advertising Awards serve as a benchmark of success in the educational marketing sector, offering a platform for evaluating the creativity and impact of marketing initiatives. This year, over 2,000 entries were received from over 1,000 colleges, universities and secondary schools across North America and worldwide. Acadia University's performance in the Alumni and Donor Relations outreach categories underscores its leadership in building a supportive community vital to its continued prosperity and impact.