Good as Gold: Minnesota Named Best Alumni Magazine

Good as Gold: Minnesota Named Best Alumni Magazine

Minnesota magazine, the member magazine of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association, has been named best college alumni magazine of its size.

Minnesota won the prestigious international 2010 Circle of Excellence Gold Award for Best College and University General Interest Magazine with a circulation of 30,000 to 75,000 from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

“Minnesota took the top award on the basis of its well-thought out and substantive editorial content, especially its strong and varied story selection and willingness to engage with major issues in a way that relates to the institution,” according to judges’ comments.

Judges pointed in particular to three articles: a story about a University of Minnesota-led investigation into deaths from lung disease among taconite miners in the state called "Iron Resolve"; an interview with professor Gary Schwitzer whose research focuses on weaknesses in reporting about health care ("Sick About Health Care"); and an article focusing on university horticulturalist Jeff Gillman whose work counters dangerous and ridiculous gardening myths ("Good and Evil in the Garden").

Every year, the 3,400 colleges and universities that are members of CASE await the announcement of the Circle of Excellence Award winners, which according to the award description, recognizes superior accomplishments that have lasting impact and demonstrate the highest level of professionalism, as judged by peers and colleagues.

By receiving this award, Minnesota magazine automatically will be entered for the Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year award -- also known as the Grand Gold Award -- to be judged by editors of Newsweek later this year.

Published continuously since 1901, Minnesota is the voice of the independent University of Minnesota Alumni Association. It covers the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the University of Minnesota by exploring the accomplishments of University faculty and how their work is helping to solve world problems. Minnesota seeks to engage and inform alumni through articles about campus life, higher education issues, University news, Alumni Association happenings and initiatives, and the achievements of students and alumni. Minnesota is also a forum where alumni may exchange opinions and ideas on U-related topics, not unlike the free exchange of ideas they enjoyed while students on campus.

Minnesota is mailed to 60,000 members of the University of Minnesota Alumni Association. For more information about Minnesota, go to www.MinnesotaAlumni.org/Minnesota.