色虎视频’s Department of Communication and Media honored outstanding students during its annual spring awards ceremony recognizing academic achievement, leadership and professional excellence across communication studies and journalism and mass communication tracks.
“It’s always a joy to celebrate the achievements of these incredible students,” said Ignatius Fosu, chair of the department. “We are very proud of them.”
Track and Program Awards
Claire Drennen was named Outstanding Advertising Track Student. Olivia Koepp, who graduated in December 2024, received the Outstanding Print Track Student award. Kennedy Russell was honored as Outstanding Public Relations Track Student, and Jordan Shepperson earned the award for Outstanding Broadcasting Track Student. Alison Williams received dual honors as Outstanding Sports Media Student and the JMC Student of the Year.
Communication studies faculty recognized Megan Coffey as Outstanding Rhetorical Communication Student and Joshua Mathiasen as Outstanding COMS Minor Student. Linden Cundiff, Sabrina Kate Hobbs and Tristyn Siegert were named Outstanding Interpersonal Communication Students. Bridget Shaughnessy received the Outstanding Public Speaker award, and Eli Wildman was honored as Outstanding COMS Research Student. Ella Sawyer was recognized as the Outstanding Agency Student.
Anja Smith was named Sojourn Student of the Year. Abby Litton earned the SNN Student of the Year award. Andrew White was honored as Crimson Student of the Year, and Hanna Allen received the Entre Nous Student of the Year award. Sam Allen was named Outstanding Film Production Minor Student.
Senior Capstone Workshop Awards
Several senior capstone teams were recognized for excellence in research, creativity and impact.
- Best Workshop in Visual Design: “When Bonds Break: A Study of Friendship Dissolution” by Will Warren, Jack Fraser and Brett Johnson
- Most Comprehensive Workshop: “Building Trust in the Classroom” by Ava Renner, Sarah Ritenour and DaMonta Witherspoon
- Most Innovative Workshop: “Consider Me Impressed: Impression Management in a Professional Setting” by Witt Thomas, Luke Becker and Paul Stramaglia
- Most Resilient Workshop: “Building Your Path to Resilience: Overcoming Challenges and Building Inner Strength” by Mills White, Mitch Owen and Jamari Cannon
- Most Engaging Workshop: “Rejection: Standing Up to It” by Maison Wells, Sabrina Kate Hobbs and Dontae Pollard
- Best Workshop Faculty Presentation: “Mastering Nonverbal Communication” by Linden Cundiff, Tristyn Siegert and Jamey Demos
Scholastic Awards
The department also recognized academic excellence through its annual scholastic awards.
Communication Studies
- Outstanding Freshman: Lillie Dunn
- Outstanding Sophomore: Xavier Nurse
- Outstanding Junior: Kelsey Lundgaard
- Outstanding Senior: Grace Robinson
Journalism and Mass Communication
- Outstanding Freshman: Jack Cunningham
- Outstanding Sophomores: Tanna Spence and Annabel Turner
- Outstanding Junior: Sophia Cabrera
- Outstanding Seniors: Kaylee Bhasin and Lydia Lauderback
Student of the Year Awards
Linden Cundiff was named Communication Studies Student of the Year. Alison Williams received the JMC Student of the Year award.
Harold & Jean Martin Writing Awards
The department also celebrated top student writers in broadcast and print/digital categories.
Broadcast
- First Place: Liza Coffin
- Second Place: Akeim Thames
- Third Place: Audrey Simons
Print/Digital
- First Place: Sydney Pulliam
- Second Place: Jordyn Davis
- Third Place: Ashley Armstrong
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