The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) has been honored with a silver award in the 2025 Circle of Excellence Awards from the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), recognizing outstanding achievement in educational advancement worldwide.
The award, presented in the marketing category, recognizes PICR’s “From Start to Finishing Cancer” campaign, an integrated brand campaign designed to elevate the public profile of Purdue’s National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated basic laboratory cancer center and spotlight the vital impact of its research in advancing cancer breakthroughs.
Crafted and executed by a one-person marketing team, the cross-channel campaign spanned paid digital media, organic content, and a dedicated campaign landing page, reaching nearly 1 million people in just three months.
“This campaign is deserving of recognition for its powerful storytelling, strategic clarity, and the exceptional impact achieved on a minimal budget,” CASE judges noted. “Its ability to humanize science and foster public understanding of foundational research made it a standout example of purpose-driven marketing.”
The campaign introduced new audiences to the vital role of basic cancer research and helped connect a broader community to PICR’s lifesaving mission.
The 2025 Circle of Excellence Awards drew 4,460 entries from 640 institutions across 33 countries. CASE selected 477 entries for recognition, honoring work that exemplifies the best in advancement across marketing, alumni relations, fundraising, publications, leadership, and more.
The “From Start to Finishing Cancer” campaign aimed to increase visibility of the institute’s research mission and make the science behind cancer breakthroughs more relatable. Through striking photography of PICR scientists, cohesive messaging, and strategic media placement, the campaign made a clear case: ending cancer starts with understanding it at its most fundamental level.
This honor places PICR among a global community of organizations raising the bar in marketing excellence and underscores the value of investing in thoughtful storytelling to advance scientific discovery.
Explore the campaign landing page: https://cancer.research.purdue.edu/campaign