Webb Earns Two Unprecedented CASE Circle of Excellence Awards for First Time in School’s History
For the first time in the school’s 155-year history, Webb – this July – won two Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) Circle of Excellence Awards in recognition of the Alumni & Development Office’s “Big Foot” Webb Fund engagement campaign.
“The Circle of Excellence Awards shine a spotlight on the extraordinary creativity, passion and innovation demonstrated by advancement professionals at institutions around the world,” said CASE President and CEO Sue Cunningham.
This year’s Circle of Excellence Awards drew entries from 640 colleges, universities and schools across 33 countries, with 4,460 submissions competing across 93 categories in the fields of alumni relations, communications, development, marketing and allied areas. Of the 477 total awards given, only 38 were earned by independent schools, like Webb, making this dual recognition particularly noteworthy. The Webb School received Silver in the Videos on a Shoestring (Fundraising) category for its video titled “Breaking News: Big Foot Sightings,” and a Bronze award in the Fundraising | Annual/Regular Giving Campaigns (Less Than 10 Staff) category for “The Big Foot 100” campaign.
CASE judges praised the campaign’s creativity, noting the “clever play on [The Webb School’s] mascot,” describing it as “playful and imaginative” with “colorful, curiosity-sparking materials.” In addition, they highlighted how the campaign engaged the entire school community and demonstrated “clear, consistent communications and a strong team dynamic.”
“We’re incredibly proud of this recognition from CASE,” said Director of Alumni & Development Jonathon Hawkins. “This campaign represents the creativity and dedication of our entire team, and it’s gratifying to see how our playful approach to engagement resonated not just with our alumni, but now with our peers in the advancement profession.”
“The Big Foot 100,” which engaged constituents through social media, email, text, video and mail, exceeded expectations as 157 alumni donors, including 102 new individuals, contributed $90,000 in gifts and pledges to The Webb School throughout the month-long campaign. Prompting a significant increase in alumni donor participation, the campaign’s success extended well into the 2025 fiscal year as well, with alumni giving participation running 3% ahead of the prior year in its entirety. A true team effort honoring several school traditions, including the Foot mascot, the Wilderness Instruction and Leadership Development (W.I.L.D.) program and the annual Senior Blazer Day, the campaign was produced entirely in-house.
“I am so proud of the ways in which our tremendously unique and supportive community rallied around this campaign,” said Assistant Director of Alumni & Development Kristen Linton Alsup ’00. “These awards not only celebrate outstanding achievements but also underscore how essential this work is to strengthen educational communities and positively shape lives and society,” added Cunningham.
