Public Relations Society of America recognized USC Dornsife Magazine with a Bronze Anvil Award for its exceptional writing, design and multimedia approach. (Image source: PRSA.)

USC Dornsife Magazine honored with one of the communications field’s most prestigious awards

PRSA recognized the magazine’s integrated storytelling strategy, which extends faculty research and alumni stories beyond print through video, social media, live events and digital engagement.

ByDarrin Joy May 21, 2026

The alumni magazine of the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences has earned a 2026 Bronze Anvil Award from the Public Relations Society of America, recognizing the magazine and its success in extending research and alumni storytelling beyond print.

The magazine earned the top award in the magazines category for its 2025 issues, themed “Life” and “Family,” which combined compelling storytelling, distinctive visual design and multimedia engagement to explore topics ranging from microbiology and neuroscience to family dynamics and alumni experiences.

The judges praised the magazine’s “multi-platform execution” and described it as a “technically sophisticated communications package” that extends “well beyond the publication itself through events, social media, video and broader institutional storytelling.”

Cover illustrations of USC Dornsife Magazine show aquatic life and a tree with family portraits — Visual design was a key factor in earning the “Life” and “Family” issues of *USC Dornsife Magazine* PRSA’s Bronze Anvil Award. (Illustrations: Christiane Beauregard; Marisa Ware; PRSA.)

Published twice a year by the USC Dornsife Office of Communication, the magazine is distributed primarily to alumni and is designed to make faculty research accessible and meaningful to broad audiences.

Each issue is also published as an interactive digital edition and supported through companion videos, social media storytelling, media outreach, live events and public forums. Stories are regularly amplified through channels including USC News, alumni newsletters and Dornsife Dialogues events, while an Advancement Tool Kit developed by the communications team helps fundraising staff identify stories relevant to donor interests.

“We believe in the power of print publications, but we also think of the magazine as a storytelling platform that can engage audiences across many channels,” said Jim Key, senior associate dean for communication and marketing at USC Dornsife. “This recognition reflects the creativity and collaboration of an outstanding communications team and the compelling stories we’re fortunate to tell.”

One example cited in the award entry involved a magazine feature on Professor of Earth Sciences and Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies Karen Lloyd’s research to discover and study life in unusual places. The story expanded into a Reddit AMA, explainer video and live Dornsife Dialogue, generating discussion among thousands of users. Astronaut and former International Space Station commander Chris Hadfield later shared the story with his roughly 2 million followers on X, calling it “worth reading.”

“Great research deserves great storytelling,” said USC Dornsife Dean James Bullock. “This award reflects the extraordinary work of our communication team to connect alumni and the public with the ideas, discovery and people that define USC Dornsife.”

The award also recognized measurable audience engagement and institutional impact. Judges noted the magazine’s growing digital readership, strong visual storytelling and role in supporting donor cultivation and stewardship.