The Office of Communications

Since 2008, the HWS Office of Communications has earned more than 30 honors and individual recognitions, including eight prestigious national awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Below is a sampling:

National CASE Circle of Excellence Awards

• 2019 Silver Award in the category "Video: Fundraising"
• 2017 Gold Award in the category "Photographer of the Year"
• 2016 Gold Award in the category "Targeted Fundraising Programs" for the Wheeler Society 25th Anniversary campaign (planned giving)
• 2016 Platinum Finalist in "Excellence in Photography" category
• 2014 Bronze Award in "Best Uses of Social Media" category for "Quake on the Lake II," a social media fundraising campaign
• 2010 Silver Award in the category "Photographer of the Year"
• 2010 Bronze Award for Colleges’ admissions microsite
• 2008 Bronze Award in the category "Complete Website"

CASE District II Accolades Awards

• 2020 Lead CASE District II Finalist for Platinum division, “Excellence in Photography” category
• 2020 Honorable mention in “Best Practices in Fundraising” for the Campaign for Boswell Field at David J Urick Stadium
• 2017 Silver Award in the Platinum division for "The HWS Update," the news section of the HWS website
• 2017 Silver Award for "Creativity on a Shoestring" for two videos: "President Gearan’s Bucket List" and "CNN’s John King Presents Breaking News"
• 2017 Silver Award in "Publication Design" for the HWS Viewbook
• 2017 Bronze Award in "Excellence in Photography" category
• 2017 Bronze Award in "Special Events" for the New York City Gala celebrating the presidency of Mark Gearan
• 2016 Gold Award in "Excellence in Photography" category
• 2016 Silver Award in "Video Features, Student Recruitment" category for "HWS: Preparing Students to Lead Lives of Consequence"
• 2014 Gold Award in the "Color Photography" category for "Seneca Lake Steam"
• 2014 Silver Award in the "Special Purpose Website" category for the HWS 2012 Celebrate webpage, a three-day online giving campaign
• 2014 Silver Award in "Student Recruitment: Individual Print Pieces" for "Results" book
• 2014 Silver Award in the "Social Media" category for "Quake on the Lake," a social media fundraising campaign
• 2013 Silver Award in the "Student Recruitment: Packages" category
• 2011 Gold Award in the "Online/CD/DVD Content" category for "Meet the Campus with John Heavey"
• 2010 Silver Award in the "Student Recruitment: Packages" category for "Hobart and William Smith Colleges - Admissions Communications Stream"
• 2010 Silver Award in the "Website: News" category for Reunion 2009 coverage
• 2008 Silver Award for "William Smith Centennial website"

Share Your News

From HWS stories and photography to graphic design, social media and content on the web, the Office of Communications works directly with you on your publicity projects from start to finish.

A member of the Communications staff will respond to your request as quickly as possible, typically within 24 hours. If you need immediate assistance, please call the Communications’ main office number, (315) 781-3540.

Submission Guidelines

Need an event listing? Fill out the online submission form and we’ll post it to the HWS Calendar of Events. Submissions are approved for publication as quickly as possible, typically within 24 hours.

Requesting publicity articles and photography. Send an email to publicity@hws.edu. For photography requests, please give notice two weeks in advance. If you need to speak with someone, please contact Director of Communications Mary LeClair at (315) 781-3697.

For graphic design support, please contact Senior Graphic Designer Lindsey Williamson at (315) 781-4518. Example materials include posters, brochures, publications, postcards and event programs.

Updates for the website. Please e-mail Michael DiMauro or Megan Metz directly. Most requests for web changes are made in five business days or less.