‘Game Changing’: The Lawrentian Earns Grand Gold from CASE

 The Lawrentian, Lawrenceville’s magazine for alumni and friends, earned a Grand Gold Award  in the category of Alumni/General Interest Magazines (Independent and International Schools) in the 2026 CASE Circle of Excellence Awards.

In doing so, The Lawrentian was again a Robert Sibley Magazine of the Year Finalist – one of just five this year – and the The Lawrentian only independent school to achieve Grand Gold status among the many colleges and universities to enter. In fact, only one other Sibley finalist earned Grand Gold in its category, including the winner, Iowa Magazine. The Lawrentian was also a Sibley finalist in 2025.

Circle of Excellence Awards are considered by industry peers in four key categories: overall quality, innovation, effective use of resources, and measurable impact. Judges look for exceptional execution, compelling storytelling, superior design, and high production value; and assess whether the material introduces new, creative concepts or takes a bold, original approach to a familiar challenge. Entries are evaluated on how well the institution achieved its goals considering the size of its budget, timeline, and advancement staff. Submissions must demonstrate clear results and a tangible, positive effect on their specific communities.

Magazines eligible for the Sibley Award are published at least twice a year, and receive a Gold or Grand Gold award in one of five Circle of Excellence categories under Alumni/General Interest Magazines. The annual award was first conferred in 1943 to Dartmouth Alumni Magazine. Just two independent schools have ever won the Sibley Award.

According to CASE, the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education, “it is possible to have more than one Gold, Silver, or Bronze recipient in a category. Judges have the option of naming one Grand Gold winner in a category, for entries that are considered game-changing.” Grand Gold awards are rare. Of the 4,185 nominations submitted to the Circle of Excellence competition this year across all categories, just 14 received this designation – fewer than 1 percent. 

“With every issue, we try to produce a magazine in which our readers can see themselves, the school they cherish, and the values they uphold,” said Sean Ramsden, who has served as editor since 2015. “This kind of recognition is something they can all take pride in, because The Lawrentian is a reflection of them.”

For more information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.