Praise from our peers

“Quite the dream publication!”

That was the reaction from judges assessing VCU Magazine this spring in an international awards contest of the nonprofit Council for Advancement and Support of Education. The magazine won five awards for work published in 2023, including the Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year for its spring and fall issues.

CASE’s annual Circle of Excellence Awards showcase outstanding work in university advancement. A panel of 440 volunteer judges selected 486 winners from more than 4,200 global submissions in categories including alumni relations, fundraising, marketing, videography, events and publications.

In addition to the Sibley award, which is, according to CASE, “the highest award for excellence in the field,” VCU Magazine won awards in the following categories:

A gold award in the Alumni/General Interest category for its 2023 issues
A silver award in the Publishing Improvement category for the Office of Development and Alumni Relations’ multiyear effort to create VCU Magazine
A gold award in long form profile writing for James Irwin’s feature “The Delight Is in the Details” (spring 2023) about designer David Ashton (B.F.A.’62)
A silver award in long form profile writing for Matthew Stoss’ feature “Primeval Eye” (fall 2023) about barbecue pitmaster Buzz Grossberg (B.S.’77)

View some of the award-winning work below:

Cocoa Brown sitting in front of a promotional poster for her show at The Comedy Loft in Washington, D.C. — **VCU Magazine - Spring 2023**

Stand-up comic Farah “Cocoa” Brown (B.S.’95) shares how she found her voice. Biochemist Javier González-Maeso, Ph.D., explains his work in psychedelic research. The magazine speaks with career civil servants. Browse the issue

geometric illustration of a cancer cell — **VCU Magazine - Fall 2023**

VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center earns the most prestigious designation in oncology. Author Rachel Beanland (M.F.A.’20) annotates an excerpt from “The House Is on Fire.” Tyler Fauntleroy (B.F.A.’17) reflects on starring in “Hamilton.” Browse the issue

David Ashton lounging on a couch — **The Delight Is in the Details**

David Ashton (B.F.A.’62) founded two creative agencies, rescued a 19th-century farmhouse from ruin and helped make baseball parks timeless again. Here, he explains why simple is beautiful and the importance of trusting your first idea. Read the story

**Primeval Eye**

Elemental cooking always fascinated Buz Grossberg (B.S.’77), one-time Food Network star and the proprietor of Richmond’s landmark Buz and Ned’s Real Barbecue. After four decades, the pitmaster is still exploring the bond between man and fire. Read the story

While you are here …

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