The Office of Marketing and Communication has received a Circle of Excellence Gold Award from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education in “Editorial Portrait Photography.”
The Circle of Excellence is CASE’s premier awards program for higher education marketing communication work. This year’s competition garnered nearly 4,200 applications from members in 33 countries, and the work was evaluated by judges who are peers in higher education marketing communications.
“This is a great honor for Marquette and recognizes our commitment to elevate the university’s storytelling with high-level visuals and stunning photography,” said Lynn Griffith, chief marketing and communication officer at Marquette.
Photography at Marquette is designed for audiences across digital and print platforms; the goal is to move beyond documentation to creative interpretation. Each submitted portrait was representative of OMC’s approach to present images as a complete composition to complement the story. The photographers paid deliberate attention to lighting, color, composition and framing to reinforce the subject’s story rather than distract from it. Lighting is used not simply to illuminate, but to establish mood and context. Color choices are similarly intentional, functioning as narrative tools that subtly guide tone and meaning. Together, these elements create portraits that feel cohesive and thoughtful.
The CASE judges recognized the series for its consistently strong editorial portrait execution across seven distinct stories, unified through thoughtful composition. The judges commented that the work demonstrates disciplined framing and subject placement, using environmental context to reinforce each narrative, while maintaining consistency across academic, research, and athletic subjects. The collection was also praised for its clarity, versatility, and cohesive institutional storytelling.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education is the global association for professionals in advancement — alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services — who 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 over 400 member institutions and more than 2,500 representatives.
