A University Communications story about UO researcher and Cherry Poppin’ Daddies lead singer Steve Perry earned top honors in the annual judging by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education – the first such award ever won by the university.

Damian Foley, assistant director of marketing and communications for the UO Alumni Association, won a Circle of Excellence Grand Gold Award in the writing category for his story “Science & Swing” that appeared on the UO’s home page earlier this year. The story was one of only 17 to win Grand Gold awards from the 3,356 entries to the competition.

Entries must first win a Gold Award in an individual category to be considered for a Circle of Excellence Grand Gold Award. Grand Gold awards are “reserved for entries that are clearly preeminent and/or ‘game changing’ among gold-level winners in each category,” according to the organization, which goes by the acronym CASE. Circle of Excellence awards are a global category that include entries from around the world.

Judges commented on the use of photos and videos to help tell the story of Perry, who returned to the UO to get a degree in microbiology after winning fame with The Daddies and their hit song “Zoot Suit Riot.” Read the full story at “Science & Swing” on the UO website.

“Fantastic story about a famous, nontraditional student's long journey to becoming an alumnus,” the judges’ report says. “The text was engaging and … also happened to showcase the University of Oregon's strength in the physical sciences and research.”

While his desk is at the Cheryl Ramberg Ford and Allyn Ford Alumni Center, Foley is part of the overall University Communications operation, which has consolidated many communications professionals into one division. He writes for alumni publications, Around the O, the UO home page and other university news sites.