No brushes allowed: an exuberant moment amid the delightfully messy Paint the SMC, when new students paint the letters on the hill above campus / Photo by Francis Tatem
Magic in Moraga, Rugby National Champs, and a Signature SMC Moment: Saint Mary’s Earns Triple Silver for Photography and Design
For the second year in a row, SMC brings home medals for outstanding creative and editorial work in the Collegiate Advertising Awards, which draw submissions from across the country.
Saint Mary’s College of California has earned a trio of prestigious Silver Awards in the Collegiate Advertising Awards, a competition that draws submissions from colleges and universities nationwide. The awards recognize excellence in photography as well as a digital publication, Experience the Magic of Moraga, which highlights Gaels Men’s Basketball as well as the rich offerings at Saint Mary’s when it comes to academics, athletics, and the student experience.
The Collegiate Advertising Awards Program is known for its assessment of higher education institutions’ communication, marketing, advertising, and promotional efforts. Judges—comprising a panel of industry experts drawn from across North America—evaluated submissions against rigorous criteria, including creativity, layout and design, functionality, message effectiveness, production quality, and overall appeal. Other award-winning institutions in the most recent competition include Rice University, Boston University, Duke University, and Washington University in St. Louis—with which SMC partners in a dual degree program in engineering.
Publication | Experience the Magic of Moraga: Saint Mary’s Men’s Basketball Digital Viewbook
Experience the Magic of Moraga showcases Gaels Men’s Basketball, a perennial national powerhouse, and the vibrant student experience at Saint Mary’s. The publication was designed with a national audience in mind, capturing recent stories and successes of Gaels Hoops, including three straight NCAA Tournament appearances as a No. 5 seed and 17 straight postseason appearances; accolades for West Coast Conference Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year; and much more.
Broadening the scope, Magic looks at men’s and women’s Division I athletics at SMC overall—plus Club Sports, including repeat national champs Men’s Rugby. The publication also explores what makes Saint Mary’s distinctive when it comes to academics; the transformative educational experience that makes Saint Mary’s one of the Colleges That Change Lives; and the fact that SMC has earned distinctions as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institution.
The project was the result of a collaborative effort between SMC Athletics and the creative, marketing, and editorial teams in SMC’s Office of Marketing and Communications. In particular, the publication showcases the design work of Director of Web & Digital Marketing Strategy Ashley Rose and Creative Director Adira Weixlmann, with the photography and videography of Francis Tatem and the photography of Tod Fierner, who covers SMC Athletics, playing a prominent role. Steven Saum, who serves as Executive Director for Strategic Communications & Content, worked together with Deputy Athletics Director for External Relations Ryan Reggiani on editorial content. Former Executive Director of Marketing Elizabeth Schroeder and former Vice President for Marketing & Communications Christine Hutchins headed up project management.
Individual Photo | Paint the SMC—with No Brush: A Moment in a Signature Saint Mary's Experience
It’s one of the signature events and part of Saint Mary’s epic Weekend of Welcome. We’re talking about Paint the SMC—with no brushes allowed. On a Saturday afternoon before classes have begun, new students trek to the letters on the hillside above campus and paint the letters in red, white, and blue. It’s an exhilarating, thoroughly messy, and truly unforgettable experience for new Gaels—and a chance for them to make their mark. In the photo featured at the top of this story, Photographer Francis Tatem captured one moment of ebullience amid the 2024 Paint the SMC—a photo that earned a silver award for excellence in photography.
Photo Series | Rugby National Champs: Saint Mary’s Defeats Navy
In May 2024, Saint Mary’s Men’s Rugby faced off against Navy in the National Championship in Houston—and in a hard-fought match, the Gaels prevailed 26–22. Photographer Francis Tatem and Executive Director of Campus Recreation and Club Sports Rebecca Harper both traveled with the team and captured the experience before, during, and after the match. Their photos depict moments of preparation and meditation, struggle and celebration—and a series of seven earned a silver award for excellence in photography.
Photo Gallery: A Winning Series for the 2024 National Champs
This is the second year in a row that Saint Mary’s has earned national recognition in these awards. Last year, SMC took home top honors for the Saint Mary’s Brand Identity Guidelines.
“It’s rewarding to see the high calibre of work at Saint Mary’s recognized again on a national stage,” says Steven Saum. “Working as part of this team, I know what talent, professionalism, and creativity they bring to telling Saint Mary’s stories in images and words. Plus, anyone who has seen Beckie Harper’s photos over the years knows she brings a sharp eye and thoughtfulness to her work with Club Sports, alongside her team’s commitment to creating opportunities for so many students. Now she’s officially an award-winning photographer!”
