Ann Arbor Times

Eastern Michigan University’s Eastern Magazine has received the Best of CASE District V Award in the category of Publications: Promotional Publications for its 175th anniversary special edition. This recognition highlights the magazine as one of the top university publications produced during the year.

The commemorative issue marked a return to print for Eastern Magazine, which had not published a physical edition since 2020. Only 500 copies were made, distributed at EMU’s 175th Anniversary Celebration. The edition features storytelling, archival images, and design elements that showcase the university’s 175-year history. Guests at the celebration described it as “a work of art” and “a piece of history worth saving.”

Darcy Gifford, assistant vice president of marketing and communications and editor of Eastern Magazine since 2008, led the editorial team. Sue Shine handled design and art direction, while student intern Caroline Murrel contributed editorial content. Alexis Braun Marks and the EMU Archives team supported the project by providing historical materials.

“We used what we already had—our archives, our memories, our stories—and transformed them into something timeless,” Gifford said. “It’s proof that a small, committed team can create something enduring and beautiful.”

The special issue includes a hand-drawn illustration of Old Main—the university’s first building—“Then and Now” photo pairings, artifacts from University Archives, Olympic achievements by EMU affiliates, significant milestones, timelines, and speeches from former university presidents.

“This issue felt deeply personal,” Gifford said. “It reminded me why storytelling matters. When you preserve history with care and creativity, you help people see themselves in it.”

The award for Eastern Magazine is one of three recognitions related to EMU’s 175th-anniversary efforts this year. The university also received a CASE District V Award for its 175th Anniversary microsite in the Marketing: Micro-sites category and another for the EMU Foundation’s anniversary celebration event in Special Events – In-Person (Single Day).

CASE District V represents more than 400 educational institutions across Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, and Wisconsin. Its annual awards recognize achievement in advancement activities including alumni engagement and marketing.