A-Plus, the Honors College Magazine, Wins CASE Award

Robert Black

Robert Black's photo of honors student Lexi Jacobus on the way down from the 15'5" vault that sent her to the 2016 Olympic Games made for a memorable cover.

The University of Arkansas Honors College won recognition in the 2021 CASE District III Awards Competition, which this year received 740 entries from universities across the Southeast. A+, the college's annual magazine, published in print and online, won a coveted Gold Award in the Magazines/Alumni/General Interest/1x per year category. This is the seventh CASE Award to recognize Honors College communications and events.

"We launched A+ magazine in 2012, and under Kendall Curlee's leadership it continues to grow stronger every year," said Lynda Coon, Honors College Dean. "I'm delighted to see the magazine win gold. This latest CASE award also speaks to the value of collaborating with our friends in University Relations and with talented writers, artists and photographers across campus and in the community."

The CASE award recognized the 2019 issue of A+, which focused on students who are first in their family to attend a university. 

"Here at the U of A, nearly one in four undergraduate students identify as first-gen, as well as many faculty and administrators, including Chancellor Joe Steinmetz," said Noah Pittman, associate dean of enrollment. "We use A+ to recruit new students, and we wanted those who are first-gen to see that they are welcome here and that we provide resources that will help them meet their goals." 

Curlee edits A+ and Tony Steck, creative director with DOXA/VANTAGE, designs the magazine; Ali Williams, a web designer and developer with Red Rooster Design, takes A+ online. John Steele Cooper, University Relations' managing producer of video productions, led work on the video on the Honors College's First-Generation Mentoring Program. 

Former Honors College Senior Editor Samantha Kirby wrote the feature article, "First in the Family," which sketched out both the challenges that first-gen students face and the strengths of the students and alumni featured, such as close family ties and a desire to "pay it forward." Honors students Max Frank and Darci Walton contributed articles (Walton has since earned a B.A. in history, magna cum laude, '20), and honors alumna Tatu Gatere (B.Arch., cum laude, '10) had the "last word" with her essay on a formative experience in combating sexism, "Taking a Seat in the Studio." Other contributing writers include Lynda Coon, Kendall Curlee, Chaim Goodman-Strauss, Katie Wilson Powell, Camilla Shumaker and John Treat.

Featured artists include honors students Ann Claire Cook, Grace Costello, Maggie McLemore, and David Sweere; designers Eric Pipkin and Leigh Caruthers-Prassel also contributed original artwork. University Relations photographers Russell Cothren and Whit Pruitt provided superb documentation throughout the magazine; athletics photographer Robert Black's photo of Lexi Jacobus on the way down from the 15'5" vault that sent her to the 2016 Olympic Games made for a memorable cover.