Outstanding students honored at SJMC awards ceremony

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Outstanding students honored at SJMC awards ceremony

Posted on: April 18, 2025; Updated on: April 18, 2025

Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and service at the annual SJMC Honors and Awards Reception, held in the school’s atrium on April 17.

Damion Waymer, director of the school, welcomed family and friends to the ceremony. “Today we are awarding those who did something exemplary,” he said. "They demonstrated excellence in how they showed up. When I talk about this program, I talk about it with pride.”

More than 100 family members and friends came together to share in the fond memories, laughter — and a few happy tears. The depth of relationships built between faculty and students during their time in the SJMC was on full display.

Award Recipients

Awards presented by Ken Campbell, interim associate director of graduate studies

Joshua Matthews – Outstanding Master’s Student Award. "The award goes to a young man from Harleyville, South Carolina, who received his B.A. from here in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and is now in the Master of Mass Communication program with a concentration in strategic communications management. He has served as a research assistant and an instructional assistant here in the school.”
Yu “Cindy” Chen – Bryce Rucker Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award. "This award goes to a young woman from China. She received her B.A. in English literature and M.A. in foreign linguistics and applied linguistics from Xi'an International University in China. She started the Ph.D. program here in 2021 and has served as a research assistant and teaching assistant here in the school.”
Ertan Agaoglu – Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award. “He received his bachelor's in American Culture and literature and an M.A. in communication studies from Hacettepe University, a great university in Turkey. He started his Ph.D. program for us in fall of 2022. He's a research assistant and a teaching assistant, and he has taught the theories of Mass Communications course and is currently teaching the international Mass Communications course.”
Shamira McCray – Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award. "Shamira McCray, who received her B.A. from Winthrop University, her M.A. from here in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications, started the Ph.D. program in fall of 2023. She served as a research assistant, is serving as a research assistant and a teaching assistant. She has taught the Writing for Mass Media course and is currently teaching a course of Mass Communications Research.”

Awards presented by Brett Robertson, mass communications sequence head

Micaela (Mary) Riley – Outstanding Mass Communications Senior Award. “Mary Riley is the recipient of the Outstanding Mass Communication Senior Award, which recognizes the graduating senior in the major voted most outstanding by the faculty. Although I haven't had Mary in one of my classes, her excellence is clear to all of us. She not only holds the highest GPA in the major, but she consistently demonstrates her dedication, professionalism and academic strength that this award represents.”
Ariana Lane – Outstanding Inclusive Excellence Award in Mass Communications. “Her nominators describe her as someone whose commitment to service and personal leadership shines through her work, from volunteering at Transitions Homeless Center to mentoring youth through Sowing Seeds into the Midlands, to using her small business to reframe how certain traditions and stereotypes are viewed. Ariana approaches her work with thoughtfulness and care. She demonstrates the core strengths of the mass communication major engagement, creativity and communication that bridges perspectives and builds meaningful connections.”
Meg Greeley – Outstanding Mass Communications Research Award. “We're proud to recognize Meg Greeley with the Outstanding Mass Communications Research or Creative Project Award. Her nominators highlighted her podcast media through many lenses created in Dr. Wesley Stevens journalism 311 course as an exceptional example of creative research. Grounded media work through careful interviewing and analysis, Meg explores how individuals see themselves and others through the lens of modern media.”

Awards presented by Jeff Williams, advertising sequence head

Chloe Brown – Outstanding Advertising Senior Award. "Chloe Brown is the kind of student every program hopes for. She's talented, driven and truly well-rounded. As an honors advertising student, she's mastered the balance between research, media planning, strategy and brings a creative spark to everything she does. Even when working with tight brand guidelines, she finds a way to add her own flair and flourish."
Sydney Springs – Best of Advertising Strategy. “If you've ever worked with Sydney Springs, you know one thing. She sees the big picture and knows exactly how to bring it to life. That's why she's receiving this year's Best of Advertising Strategy Award. Sydney led a Google ads campaign for Save the Children Thailand, overcoming everything from translating ads into Thai to navigating a 14-hour time difference.”
Ricky Tran – Best of Advertising Creative. “Let's talk about someone who's truly made his mark on our program. Ricky is this year's recipient of the best creative award. If you’ve seen his work, you know why. His talent and dedication to the craft of advertising are undeniable. What really sets Ricky apart is what he's done outside the classroom as president of the AD Club.”
Ana Neville – Best of Advertising Research. “Ana Neville has a natural gift for turning numbers into stories. She knows how to dig into the data, pull out what matters, and turn it into powerful insights that shape the strategy - whether for Blenheim Ginger Ale or Amazon Prime.”

Awards presented by Rick Peterson, senior broadcast journalism instructor

Bridget Bruchalski – Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Senior Award for Reporting. "She's only the second student in USC history to win two student Emmys from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, southeast region. One was for serious news, for a story about how people were trying to deal with the devastation from Hurricane Helene. And the second one was for light news, a story about how USC students prepare for the Tiger Burn, building this massive wooden structure that they burned down just for the fun of it."
Zane Heinlein – Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Senior Award for Leadership. "Zane was not only a great producer, but he's also a great reporter. He won a national award from the Broadcast Education Association, for a story in the TV short feature category about the surge in trade school enrollment… And this week, Zane got a job at CNN."

Awards presented by Eileen Waddell, journalism instructor

Sydney Dunlap – George Andrew Buchanan Award. "Sydney has won numerous scholastic press awards — for her reporting and her photography — while writing for the student-run The Daily Gamecock. At the Daily Gamecock, she was news editor, then editor-in-chief. She made it better."
Rebecca (Kate) Robins – J. Rion McKissick Award. "She has won numerous scholastic press awards while writing for both the Daily Gamecock and the journalism school’s Carolina News and Reporter. Kate has had internships with The High Point (North Carolina) Enterprise, The Charlotte Observer and The State newspaper, where she’s working now part-time."

Awards presented by Kelly Davis, public relations sequence head

Awani Bildikar – Inclusive Excellence Award in Public Relations. "She particularly excelled in her work with The Carolina Agency, beginning as an insights analyst, then serving as the director of the Research and Insights Department, and finally as director of the agency. In addition to her exceptional skills, she advanced a community of inclusion through her encouragement, positive energy and gentle spirit. Her emotional intelligence and peer leadership enabled the agency to innovate and drive meaningful impact for a variety of clients."
Caroline Harris – Hugh Munn Award for Outstanding Community Service. "She epitomizes servant leadership in her academic pursuits, in student organizations and in her daily life. Her journey in service began with her involvement in the professional fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi, which she served as university relations chair, collaborating with the service and philanthropy chairs to enhance the organization’s outreach efforts for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation."
Megan vanVollenhoven – Outstanding Public Relations Senior Award. "As a freshman, she dove head-first into active engagements in the USC Chapter of PRSSA, earning an executive board position her sophomore year as vice president of membership. In her junior year, she was elected to the PRSSA National Committee – the first USC student ever to earn a national leadership role in the organization."

Awards presented by senior instructor Scott Farrand and instructor Jason Porter

Savannah Nagy – Outstanding Visual Communications Senior Award. “So, the Outstanding Visual Communication Senior, this student not only has to be good in one or two disciplines, but we sort of set our model to say Leonardo da Vinci, who is good in many areas, but a master in three or four of them. She exemplifies that.” Scott Farrand
Noah Whalen – Outstanding Videographer. “He has work that recently came out this year that has now got 9.6 million views. He's making the football program shine. And if that is not enough, he's won a GMC award for his work. He's won a best in show. He has a second ADDY Award and currently he won the region and is competing to win the national award.” Scott Farrand
Hannah Flint – Outstanding Photographer. “I think you can tell the quality of a good photographer based on the connection you can see between them and the subject that's in the photo. In every photo that I look at from Hannah, you can see there is a personal connection where she gets the people in the photos to open up, to open a personal connection to whatever photo’s being taken.” Jason Porter
Lily Ferguson – Outstanding Designer. “I don't know another undergrad that I've worked with that is as intellectually curious ... with exceptional talent and exceptional results. Lilly, I think the best thing I can say is that I usually judge these awards by whether I would want to hire this person. And without hesitation, I would hire Lily in an instant for any project." Jason Porter

Students who earn Graduation with Leadership Distinction demonstrate extensive, purposeful engagement beyond the classroom, understanding of course concepts in “real world” settings and application of learning to make decisions and solve problems.

Sofi Burnette, Jenna Caldrello, Griffin Goodwyn, Virginia Gushue, Madeline Hager, Sophia Hemsey, Cassie Honeycutt, Brianna Hughey, Sydney Jack, Madeline Johnson, Polina Khabibullina, Lucinda Moore, Madilyn Steffe, Natalie Tilton, Alison Tunney, Megan vanVollenhoven, Caitlin Willis

Latin honors are academic distinctions awarded at graduation, recognizing high achievement. They are typically awarded based on a student's cumulative GPA.

Cum Laude - a cumulative GPA of 3.50-3.749
Emma Agnew, Oby Anadi, Spencer Ball, Aaron Barton,Marley Bassett, Elizabeth Batten, Lucas Benedetto, Emily Bennett, Hanna Bissler, Jordan Bolton, Elizabeth Brice, Isabelle Broll, Jose Burgos, Jenna Caldrello, Olivia Chisholm, Emma Clark, Cameryn Conlon, Aden Connor, Kaylee Cooper, Michael Cote, Meagan Daukshus, Jade DeMario, Savanna Dorsch, Olivia Downs, John Egolf, Faith Elliott, Sarah Freitas, Ambria Gilliard, Chloe Grochowski, Emma Hamilton, Collin Harlan, Ryne Helvie, Sophia Hemsey, Sarah Hendrix, Courtney Hollmon, Cassie Honeycutt, Tierney Horton, Kaitlyn Howard, Paige Huling, Sydney Hull, Cayman Hutchinson, Annie Ives, Meghan Kelley, Adam Kent, Polina Khabibullina, Carter Laffitte, Amelia Laird, Kylie Lapsley, Kayley Lehane, Jillian Leva, Jamie Martin, Armani McClurkin, Dakota McDaniel, Sarah Merrett, Brinkley Miller, Madison Mitchell, Lucinda Moore, Mac Niedbalski, Catherine O’Connell, Grace Orr, Ava Pace, Kathryn Peters, Amanda Petty, Ansleigh Pingree, Robert Pinto, Genesis Ragland, Janey Ratto, Haley Rimmel, Sarah Rohrbaugh, Maeve Rossig, Sarah Rucker, Cara Setzer, Sophie Shanahan, Shea Simmons, Emily Slamon, Rebekah Smith, Dylan Telemaque, Natalie Tilton, David Toronto, Hannah Wilson, Jack Wolfe

Magna Cum Laude - a cumulative GPA of 3.75-3.949
Miriam Abramowitz, Jamie Alatzas, Sydney Anderson, Jessica Arriaga, Avery Ascher, Loy Baxley, Ayana Benskin, Sidra Blackwelder, Jennifer Bodel, Kaedy Bornstein, Hunter Broadway, Ayden Brown, Mary Buffaloe, Sofi Burnette, Morgan Carter, Amelia Codillo, Mikayla Colbert, Sydney Coleman, Kaitlyn Crabb, Emily Cundiff, Emily Danielski, Allison Dunlap, Elaina Edwards, Henry Evans, Erika Farrell, Lauren Feeney, Lily Ferguson, Alivia Fiore, Hannah Flint, Caitlin Franklin, Mae Giorgia, Sullivan Grant, Virginia Gushue, Kendall Hackman, Cecelia Haggan, Caroline Harris, Zachary Hathaway, Zane Heinlein, Isla Herring, Jesse Howe, Brianna Hughey, Madeline Johnson, Thomas Johnson, Roman Kimball, Taylor Kitchens, Paige Klein, Adelaide Kline, Mary Clare Kreutner, Andrew Lankes, Lauren Larsen, Jocelyn Leach, Andrew Lent, Anna Major, Lily Manfreda, Hannah Martin, Eden Massey, Casey Matthews, Maggie McGill, Sophia Mercurio, Sarah Moore, Paige Moser, Mackenna Myers, Savannah Nagy, Celine Nguyen, Andrew Nguyen, Caroline Pickel, Violet Raftery, Lauren Reasoner, Sydney Reichart, Emelia Ribero, Rebecca Robins, Savannah Robinson, Abigail Robisch, Lillian Rogers, Rosabelle Runza, Mia Sanderson, Julia Savelson, Megan Schenk, Phillip Schlies, Colleen Sholtis, Drew Sisto, Lily Smith, Olivia Sperbeck, Maggie Stagnaro, Madilyn Steffe, Emily Tartt, Joseph Taylor, Caroline Torrone, Andrew Trayer, Alison Tunney, Mary Verner, Emilie Vigliotta, Jackson Weems, Katryn West, Owen Wetterhan, Lauren Wickha, Erika Wilkerson, Caitlin WillsJulia Wilson, Marshall Windham, Sophia Wurster, Michael Zapor

Summa Cum Laude - a cumulative GPA of 3.95-4.00
Stephanie Adkisson, Amanda Baranowski, Grace Berkery, Chloe Brown, Jonathan Burgess, Chloe Castain, Madeline Cesarz, Lauren Ciuci, Sarah Craft, Sydney Dunlap, Emma Edwards, Olivia Edwards, Emma Ernst, Brooke Flory, Mei Gollon, Griffin Goodwyn, Heath Greene, Callie Hribar, Sydney JackElena Keller, Jase Leonard, Madeline Lester, Katherine Levey, Elissa Myers, Claire O’Neill, Mary Riley, Sofia Sabatino, Kelly Samulski, Kenneth Joshua Santos, Destini Simon, Katherine Taylor, Shaye Thoroughman, Megan vanVollenhoven

KTA is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Undergraduates - Grace Berkery, Grace Blumhardt, Jonathan Burgess, Artemis Capece, Alicia Caracciolo, Lauren Ciuci, Emma Connelly, Haley Cormier, Hayden Davis, William Holman, Mollie Naugle, Peyton Slates, Katherine Taylor, Bridget Tracy, Megan vanVollenhoven

MMC Graduates - Lance Cooper, Kaziah Owusu, Simon Whitaker, Tyuanna Williams

College of Information and Communications

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