Penn State development projects win two internationally renowned CASE awards

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has named Penn State’s Division of Development and Alumni Relations as the winner of two 2026 Circle of Excellence Awards. The international organization spotlighted Penn State’s innovative achievements related to two initiatives: a stewardship model for dedicated supporters of the Penn State Blue Band and a chapter chat program centered on disability inclusion.

“To walk away as winners of not just one but two of these globally renowned awards is an incredible testament to the teams in Development and Alumni Relations and the relentless creativity they bring to generating enthusiasm and building support for the University,” said Jay E. Davenport, vice president for development and alumni relations. “This recognition highlights work that is elevating the visibility of Penn State’s extraordinary achievements and connecting with the alumni, donors, foundations and philanthropists whose vision and generosity are pivotal to unlocking the full potential of our students and faculty. My hope is that these awards will energize the entire Penn State community as we move toward the public launch of the most ambitious fundraising campaign in the University’s history.”

CASE launched the international Circle of Excellence awards program in 1994. The global annual recognition event celebrates colleges, universities and independent schools whose outstanding work in advancement services, alumni relations, communications, fundraising and marketing demonstrate exceptional ingenuity, creativity and resourcefulness. The 93 award categories span the full breadth of advancement — including magazines and publications, fundraising campaigns, alumni initiatives, special events, marketing, leadership and video — and are meant to raise the profile of the projects and programs within higher education that are strengthening educational communities and helping to transform lives around the world.

Blue Band Experience Program

The University’s Blue Band Experience program, designed by the advancement team in the College of Arts and Architecture and spearheaded by Lisa Marzka, director of major gifts, won gold-level recognition in the category of donor relations and stewardship initiatives. The award recognized the team’s creation of a highly personalized stewardship experience that immerses donors in the excitement of Blue Band game days.

Blue Band Director Greg Drane played an integral role in shaping this experience by inviting donors to see firsthand the preparation, camaraderie and community that define the organization he leads. The opportunity offers supporters with a rare, behind-the-scenes look at how their generosity enriches the student experience and helps sustain one of Penn State’s most cherished programs.

As part of the experience, donors take part in the full rhythm of game day, from rehearsals, interactions with student musicians, and shared meals that help prepare the band for peak performance. Highlights include parading to the stadium; standing on the field during pregame, halftime, and postgame performances; sitting with the band during the game; and marching back to the Blue Band Building following the postgame show.

A message from CASE judges accompanying the award noted, “The Blue Band Experience is a great reminder that stewardship professionals can use existing resources for authentic experiences that connect donors to what means the most to them. The team was generous in sharing materials that could serve as an inspiration for other donor experiences.”

Chapter Chats

Chapter Chats, organized by and for staff in the Division of Development and Alumni Relations, earned Penn State’s second award, at the bronze level and in the category of opportunity initiatives, for its distinctive approach of replacing standalone workshops with a sustained, multi-model curriculum that treats diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging as a core competency. The program earned praise for its proprietary plug-and-play curriculum, including a scripted roadmap that removed expert gatekeepers and empowered cohorts to break down knowledge silos in pursuit of self-directed learning. The award nominators noted that the program yielded immediate institutional changes.

Announcing the award, CASE judges praised the Chapter Chats program for “going beyond one-off training to create sustained dialogue, shared understanding and confidence in addressing complex issues.”

This year, teams from 628 institutions in 33 countries submitted 4,185 entries for consideration, with 570 judges ultimately selecting 493 winners in a tiered recognition structure of bronze, silver, gold and grand gold. The winners were announced online on July 1.

Support for Penn State advances the University’s historic land-grant mission to serve and lead. Through philanthropy, alumni and friends are helping students to join the Penn State family and prepare for lifelong success; driving research, outreach and economic development that grow our shared strength and readiness for the future; and increasing the University’s impact for families, patients and communities across the commonwealth and around the world. Learn more by visiting raise.psu.edu.