The Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) recently announced its 2024 Circle of Excellence winners. Missouri S&T earned a grand gold award – the highest honor possible – for a photography series produced for a project with S&T’s “Foliagraft” student research team.

S&T photographer Michael Pierce produced the award-winning photos. The collection showcases the novel use of spinach leaves in skin graft research, featuring lab scenes, portraits and studio images.

“S&T’s entry exemplifies creativity, thought and technical execution, embodying what this contest is all about,” remarked CASE judges. They praised Pierce’s craftsmanship, highlighting the series’ lighting and composition, which were further enhanced by a magazine layout that integrated visuals and narrative.

The competition drew over 4,200 entries from 600 colleges and universities across nearly 30 countries. S&T’s achievement as one of only 32 grand gold recipients emphasizes its commitment to making an impact through storytelling within higher education.