Alumni Awards

Each year, the College of Communications and its Alumni Society Board honor alumni in a variety of categories.

The Outstanding Alumni Award

is presented to a graduate of the college who has demonstrated excellence in the field of communications, contributed significantly to their profession, and gained an exemplary reputation among colleagues and students within their community. Past winners include: Mark Livolsi ('80 Film) — film editor, iTalent (Wedding Crashers, The Devil Wore Prada); David Lipson ('78 Adv) — president, Metrocorp Holdings (Philadelphia Magazine); Mary Meder (’83, Adv) — president, Harmelin Media; Jeff Baum (’85, Journ) — vice president, Global Communications, EDS

The Achievement Award

is presented to Communications graduate or friend of the College whose significant contributions to the College and/or University, in terms of time and talent, have brought distinction to themselves, the College and University.  Past winners include: Chris Wightman ('84 Journ) — managing director, communications, U.S. Golf Association; Kerrie Carfagno ('94 Brcab) — college instructor; Robert O’Leary (’71, Adv) — former senior vice president of public relations for Sears Roebuck & Co.; Marv Krasnansky (’72 Journ) — Retired VP of corporate communications at McKesson

The Emerging Professional Award

is presented annually to recent alumni (10 years or less since graduation) for professional achievements and/or distinguished community service. Past winners include: Erin Hazard ('99 Adv/PR) — senior vice president, consumer markets, Fleishman-Hillard; Ryan Hockensmith ('01 Journ) — editor, ESPN The Magazine; Brad Young (’96 Journ) — sales development manager in advertising sales & marketing for Time Inc. Business & Financial Network; David Schaefer (’99 Adv/PR) — manager of publicity for Discovery Channel.

Nomination form: Outstanding Alumni, Achievement and Emerging Professional.

Excellence in Teaching Award

The purpose of this award is to recognize those College of Communications faculty who have demonstrated excellence in teaching, contributed significantly to the growth of students' learning, and gained an exemplary reputation among colleagues, students, and alumni. Nominees will be judged on their ability to inspire students and improve the classroom environment, their breadth and depth of knowledge of their subject, and their dedication outside the classroom. Nominations may be submitted by undergraduate students, graduate students, and student organizations. (Previous recipients are not eligible. They are: Thomas Berner, Jeanne Hall, Ronald Bettig, Robert Frieden, Robert Richards, Dan Pfaff, John Sanchez, Susan Strohm and Ford Risley.) Click here to access nomination form.

For all awards

Eligibility: Undergraduate, graduate, and doctorate degree alumni of the College of Communications. Present Alumni Society Board members are ineligible.
Nominations: Departmental faculty, Alumni Society board members, or any alumnus or friend of the College may submit nominations for these awards.