With a history of successful fundraising campaigns, Washington University in St. Louis recently gained further affirmation that its development efforts continue to be highly regarded in higher education.
The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) has given Washington University its 2011 award for best overall performance in fundraising. CASE is one of the world’s largest and most respected nonprofit associations for professionals working in advancement and communications fields for educational institutions.
In June, Chancellor Mark S. Wrighton received word from CASE that WUSTL is sharing first-place honors in the overall performance category for private research/doctoral institutions with the University of Southern California.
The award was given as part of CASE’s annual Educational Fundraising Awards program, a component of the organization’s Circle of Excellence Awards program. Washington University has won previous Circle of Excellence awards, including the Circle of Excellence Award for Overall Performance in Fundraising in 1997.
“This is a well-deserved honor for Washington University’s Office of Alumni & Development Programs, and attests to the quality of our professional team led by David Blasingame, who has expertly directed our fundraising and alumni relations efforts for more than 20 years,” Wrighton says.
Blasingame, executive vice chancellor for Alumni & Development Programs, attributes this accomplishment to such factors as the support of the university’s alumni and friends and outstanding work by the development staff.
“Washington University is fortunate to have a loyal base of alumni, parents and friends,” Blasingame says. “Without their generosity, commitment and confidence in the university’s ability to help contribute to a better world, this award would not have been possible.
“Our development results are the work of a great team effort and I am very proud of our Alumni & Development staff for their outstanding work.
“Many others are responsible as well — the trustees and the university’s wonderful volunteers, the chancellor, the deans and the faculty and staff,” Blasingame says. “We are very pleased to receive this recognition from CASE, which provides great service to the field of education.”
CASE, founded in 1974, has more than 3,400 members in 68 countries, consisting of colleges and universities, primary and secondary schools and nonprofit organizations.