Posted May 1, 2020
Top video: Watch a virtual presentation of the graduate student awards
Faculty in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications honored three graduate
students for exceptional achievement in academics, leadership, teaching and research at end-of-the-year
ceremonies. Bob Wertz, Chang Won Choi and Minhee Choi were honored in virtual presentations due to cancellation of classes at
the university.
Award Recipients
Bob Wertz - Outstanding Master's Student Award
Dr. Holly Overton presented Bob Wertz with the Outstanding Master's Student Award.
Wertz, who works full-time at the university as associate director of visual branding,
is working on his Master of Arts degree. He has taught classes in the School of Journalism
and Mass Communications and in the School of Visual Arts and Design. Wertz has presented
research at AEJMC in Toronto and at the AEJMC Southeast Colloquium.
Bob’s application stood out to the award committee. Everyone was thoroughly impressed
with the quality of his research and his impressive and extensive portfolio. Bob’s
positive attitude is contagious, and his achievements both in and out of the classroom
are remarkable. I am elated that we are able to recognize Bob’s exceptional work with
this award.
Chang Won Choi -
Bryce Rucker Excellence in Graduate Student Research Award
Dr. Sei-Hill Kim presented the Bryce Rucker Excellence in Graduate Student Research
Award to Chang Won Choi. A second-year doctoral student, Choi devoted himself to research and submitted a number
of papers to journals and conferences. As a result, three papers were accepted in
journals and three in conferences during the 16 months since he entered the school,
adding to an already extensive list of published journal articles and conference presentations.
He also has a co-authored book chapter in press. Choi was also awarded a travel grant from the 2020 AAA conference. He is a member of the School’s Public Relations/Strategic Communications Research
Group.
Changwon has a strong combination of academic training and professional experience
in advertising. As a doctoral student, he has carried out a large number of research
projects, which examined strategic communications in a variety of contexts. Changwon
has a solid grounding in research design and statistical analysis. He is an excellent
collaborator and will make a good advertising scholar. We are so proud of him and
his prolific research.
Minhee Choi -
Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award
Dr. Sei-Hill Kim presented doctoral candidate Minhee Choi the Graduate Student Excellence
in Teaching Award. Using her practical experience as a public relations practitioner in nonprofit organizations
and in-depth research knowledge in strategic communication, she taught several sections of two different undergraduate public relations courses that led to her receiving the Promising Professor
Award from the Mass Communication and Society Division of AEJMC. Students have praised her leadership in the classroom, noting her enthusiastic and
supportive approach to teaching and her exceptional ability to engage students.
Minhee is a conscientious and meticulous instructor in her classroom. She is both
liked and respected by students, which is of course a difficult combination for many
to achieve. She knows what students expect from the faculty and how to instruct them
effectively. Minhee’s interest in teaching is unusual — and refreshing. Congratulations,
Minhee.
