University of the Pacific’s annual magazine—a bold and engaging publication that tells the stories of the university’s students, alumni, donors, faculty and staff—has received two national awards for its recent publication.

Pacific Magazine was awarded a silver for publishing improvement and a bronze for annual magazine in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education’s Circle of Excellence awards. The national organization is dedicated to educational advancement professionals.

The awards recognize the best in communications, marketing, development and fundraising campaigns from schools and colleges around the world. Nearly 600 institutions from more than 20 countries entered the recent competition.

In the publishing improvement category, Pacific was one of only 22 magazines to receive silver or gold honors.

As California’s first and oldest university, Pacific’s magazine has a rich history that has been through many evolutions in its almost 100 years of publication, most notably in 2019. The magazine was dramatically expanded from 36 to 132 pages to provide more in-depth storytelling with vivid imagery.

“University of the Pacific is a complex institution. The extended magazine allows us to show that richness,” said Nico Barredo, design director for the university and Pacific Magazine. “One of the powers of the magazine is the breadth and diversity of stories. The content elevates the university on a national scale by sharing in-depth feature stories and short-form content on a variety of topics—from the quality of a Pacific education, to the impact of our donors and alumni, to the outstanding accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff.”

Judges praised the rebranding in their award comments: “This is a beautiful publication. I thought its predecessor was already strong, but the new annual piece really expands and elevates it thoughtfully.”

The 2022 publication’s cover features a bird’s-eye view of the newest class of Pacificans forming the iconic “P,” which is carried through to the photography on the back page showing the same students from the ground level.

Inside, readers begin by going on a “Journey of Today’s Student,” a feature on the many ways Pacific is shaping contemporary living and learning to adapt to 21st century students. Pacific’s leading role in health care is covered in a feature exploring the formation and rapid growth of the university’s new School of Health Sciences.

Alumni’s fruitful venture into winemaking is prominently showcased in a feature, which goes “behind the label” of 10 vineyards. Alumni are also highlighted for their role in the university’s most successful fundraising campaign in its 172-year history.

Other spreads feature the top-tier leaders tapped for executive roles, students’ impact on the community and major developments in the university’s nine schools and colleges as well as the athletics programs.

“This is a magnificent publication that highlights the best and brightest people, programs and ideas from Pacific over the past year—created by our enormously talented strategic communications team,” said President Christopher Callahan. “I’m so glad that the judges at CASE see the tremendous design, writing, editing, photography and graphics that went into this. It is an exceptional way for us to share the amazing work happening at Pacific with people around the world.”

The president lauded the strategic communications team that led the magazine, including Executive Editor Marge Gray, now chief media and executive communications manager at UCLA, Design Director Nico Barredo and the rest of the photographers, writers and designers on the team. 

From the content to the publication, the magazine is carefully crafted to align with Pacific’s mission and values. The magazine’s paper is Forest Stewardship Council certified, which ensures wood is sustainably harvested, and is printed with vegetable-based inks.

Pacific also launched a stunning digital component to the magazine in 2022, which includes videos and bonus material on the magazine’s features and allows the reader to more fully engage with the content, including an interactive map of alumni vintners.

The print and digital magazines are produced by Pacific’s Strategic Communications office with extensive contributions from other departments, schools and colleges. The 2023 publication—already in the works—will be distributed in December. A copy of the latest issue can be requested online.