Arcadia University is proud to announce that the Division of University Advancement has again earned recognition from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), this time as one of only two schools to receive a prestigious Gold Circle of Excellence Award. Arcadia received its gold recognition in the category of Fundraising Flash Campaigns for UKnightedTuesday.

On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020, Arcadia University hosted its second consecutive record-breaking annual day of giving, UKnightedTuesday—a 1,853-minute initiative to garner institutional pride and philanthropy in support of Arcadia students. Coinciding with GivingTuesday, the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving, Arcadia University continues to build upon a tradition of giving over 1,853 minutes. Lovingly named UKnightedTuesday several years ago, Arcadia moved to an entirely virtual experience, providing alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents, and friends the opportunity to engage in the largest day of giving in the University’s history. 
Strategically integrating challenges and matching opportunities along with volunteer roles and special events for the community, Arcadia University saw a 141 percent increase in dollars raised, a 126 percent increase in event attendance, and a 23 percent increase in unique donors. With the support of an entire community, the University broke its own record of the most successful day of giving — the year before at $129,077 — by raising more than $315,000 in support of Arcadia’s students.

“We loved this initiative because it was so well thought out, the volunteer engagement was enormous, and the fact that it was a new team all working together on such a huge initiative—very well done,” CASE judges noted.

This recognition marks the Division of University Advancement’s third CASE award in 2021, receiving its first-ever gold and bronze District II Accolade Awards in February. These peer-selected and adjudicated awards honor institutions worldwide whose talented staff have advanced their organizations through their resourcefulness and ingenuity. In 2021, CASE received almost 3,000 entries from 27 countries. Those entries came from 530 institutions for consideration across 100 categories.

“This award serves as yet another reminder of the value of our work,” said Brigette A. Bryant, vice president for Development and Alumni Engagement. “In one of the most difficult and uncertain years, our community boldly demonstrated that not only do we believe in our students but that we also want to provide the exceptional educational experience that they deserve.”

CASE is a global nonprofit association dedicated to educational advancement—alumni relations, communications, development, marketing, and advancement services—who share the goal of championing education to transform lives and society.