SJMC faculty recognize outstanding students at annual awards ceremony

See all photos from the awards ceremony and reception

SJMC faculty recognize outstanding students at annual awards ceremony

Posted on: April 23, 2024; Updated on: April 23, 2024
By Patty Hall, phall@sc.edu

Damion Waymer at the Awards ceremony — Damion Waymer, director of the J-school.

Students in the School of Journalism and Mass Communications were recognized for their academic achievements, leadership and service at the annual Honors and Awards Reception at the Kennedy Greenhouse Studio on April 18.

Dean Tom Reichert welcomed family and friends to the ceremony at the Kennedy Greenhouse Studio. "This is my favorite day as I get a chance to honor some of our star students," Reichert said. "They have put all that they have into their coursework, into their extracurricular activities, and we are so proud of them."

Reichert introduced Damion Waymer, who is celebrating his first year as the new director of the School of Journalism and Mass Communications and served as emcee of the event, which honored both graduate and undergraduate students.

Award Recipients

Kenneth Campbell, interim associate director of graduate studies, recognized four outstanding graduate students: Alex Marinelli, Ali Zain, Odera Covenant Ezenna and Naomi K. Luna.

Alex Marinelli received the Outstanding Master of Mass Communications Student Award. He earned his undergraduate visual communications degree from the J-school before completing the Online MMC degree with an emphasis on strategic communications. Marinelli is responsible for many of the football videos produced at the university.
Ali Zain was awarded the Bryce Rucker Graduate Student Excellence in Research Award. A doctoral student from Pakistan, Zain already has more than a dozen peer-reviewed articles and twice as many research papers presented at annual conventions. He is what we call one of the "Breakthrough Graduate Scholars" at the University.
Naomi Luna received the Outstanding Master of Arts Student Award in absentia. She earned her undergraduate degree in public relations from the J-school and graduated with her M.A. in summer 2023. Luna is currently employed as Program Analyst, High Reliability Organization Consult Team, Veterans Health Administration at Aptive Resources.
Odera Ezenna received the Graduate Student Excellence in Teaching Award. She is a Ph.D. student from Nigeria who has a master's degree in integrated global. Students said of her: "She is very friendly and kept my attention;" "She made an effort to connect with all of her students." "She's one of my favorite instructors at USC."

Outstanding advertising seniors were recognized by sequence head Jeff Williams. Williams said, "Choosing the best of the best advertising students is always difficult as we have so many good students. But, just like the real world of advertising, everyone can't win the client or go home with the trophy. To our advertising award recipients, I extend my heartfelt congratulations. Your accomplishments are a testament to your diligence, perseverance and unyielding spirit. "

See some work samples by award recipients Michael Gibson, Katie Langan, Hank Lunn, Janice Rodriguez and Elise Tanenbaum in the gallery below.

Janice Rodriguez received the Outstanding Advertising Senior Award. Her standout achievements include conquering the AAF's Multicultural Program in New York City, spearheading a significant Google Search marketing campaign, and honing her creative skills all while serving in the Army National Guard.
Katie Langan received the Best of Advertising Strategy Award in absentia. She made herself indispensable in every team in every advertising class. Clinching the honor, Katie's collaboration with her peers proves that great minds and strategic finesse leads to victory!
Michael Gibson received the Best of Advertising Creative Copy Award. He doesn't just dress the part with his wizard hat; he lives it. Michael's wizardry with words has transformed every brief into a spell-binding narrative.
Hank Lunn received the Best of Advertising Creative Art Award. Hank's artistic prowess has rightfully earned her this award. With her exceptional design skills, she is on the fast track to becoming the creative world's next big thing.
Elise Tanenbaum won the Best of Advertising Research Award. She is the Sherlock Holmes of advertising research. Elise can spot a needle or an insight in a haystack of data. Her research has led to success across the board, from one class to the next, always with the winning detail oriented approach.

Nina Brook, journalism sequence head, presented awards to broadcast journalism seniors Josie Frost and Elizabeth Martinez and to multimedia journalism students Riley Edenbeck and Edwin Hammond

Elizabeth Martinez was named the Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Senior for Reporting. This award recognizes a senior with superior on-air reporting skills. Elizabeth started the semester covering Nikki Haley's presidential bid and she wrapped up the semester with a live shot from Colonial Life Arena covering the women's basketball team.
Josie Frost was named the Outstanding Broadcast Journalism Senior for Leadership. She was honored for her leadership and organizational skills in the Carolina News newsroom. Faculty said she set the bar high as a reporter, producer and weather anchor.
Riley Edenbeck received the J. Rion McKissick Award. Faculty said she is one of the toughest interviewers her senior semester instructors have ever had. She's prepared. She's calm. She stays on point. She doesn't get distracted if someone tries to put up roadblocks. She was also an editor at The Daily Gamecock.
Edwin Hammond received the George Andrew Buchanan Award for Journalism. Faculty said Win is a curious thinker who is developing into an assertive probing journalist. He also has an eye for visual.s He recently won first place for video work for the SC Press Association and was an editor for The Daily Gamecock.

Ken Campbell, mass communications sequence head, presented James Agens, Jordan Davis, Lelia Ottinger with outstanding senior awards for the mass communications sequence.

Lelia Ottinger received an Outstanding Mass Communications Senior Award. She has creative takes and interesting perspectives on different texts and forms covering the array of mass communication critique.
Jordan Davis received an Outstanding Mass Communications Senior Award in absentia. Jordan leads by example. He observes. He integrates his observations from a variety of sources, different takes. He is a good model for engaging in mass media critique, and his peers looked to him as a leader.
James Agens received the inaugural Outstanding Inclusive Excellence Award in Mass Communications. James is a model of how to take what we do in class and to expand and apply that in our everyday communities. He serves on the Pride Board and is a peer leader for Changing Carolina. He is also engaged in research on pregnant women with HIV.

Kelly Davis, public relations sequence head, recognized outstanding PR students, including Morgan Liotti, Grace Shields, Emmie Thompson and Hanna Yusuf.

Grace Shields received the Outstanding Public Relations Senior award for her work with the USC Chapter of PRSSA for and helping to host the Southeast District Conference, which drew attendees from five different universities. Additionally she served as account manager for TCA, was a member of the Bateman Team and held internships with Inspire Brands and Monroe Financial Group.
Hanna Yusuf won the Inclusive Excellence Award in Public Relations which recognizes a senior who exemplifies the value of diversity and inclusion by supporting communities of multiple identities in the field of PR. Hanna has taken the opportunity to educate her peers on the experiences of many people of color. She served as the first ever Inclusion and Equity chair of Zeta Tau Alpha and as the Interim Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion of the Panhellenic Association as they built a DEI program.
Emmie Thompson won the Hugh Munn Award for Outstanding Community Service. In her sorority, she served as both the Operations Specialist and the Ronald McDonald House Philanthropy chair. Additionally Emmie served as USC Student Government president, volunteered at Harvest Hope Food Bank and played violin at local memory care facilities.
Morgan Liotti won the Outstanding PR Internship Award for her commitment to building her career in PR through her internship at Poston Communications. In her internship, she was responsible for collaborating with several clients, while creating and leveraging diverse media strategies to increase their brand awareness.

Instructors Scott Farrand and Renée Ittner-McManus presented awards on behalf of the visual communications sequence to Elizabeth Bryerton, Chloe Caudill, Kaitlyn Gough and Xavier Martin.

Kaitlyn Gough received the Outstanding Visual Communications Senior Award. She is described as a "renaissance woman," as she excels in multiple areas - design, photography and video. Faculty says she has all the skills, all the theories, and all the talent to work with and for anyone as she is exceptionally talented.
Elizabeth Bryerton won the visual communications Outstanding Designer Award. She can take data, images and words and make sense of it and present it in visually compelling manner. Faculty say she will be able to take this skill apply it to numerous companies, media and organizations.
Chloe Caudill was named the visual communications Outstanding Videographer. Faculty say she distinguished herself with a can -do attitude and work ethic. She always worked projects until they were absolute perfection - always going above and beyond to present a polished project. She is a true triple threat - her work ethic combined with a pursuit of excellence combined with her natural talent.
Xavier Martin was named the visual communications Outstanding Photographer. Faculty said he was an "absolute standout," as he came into the program with a strong portfolio developed while in the military. His solid skills and maturity made him a quick learner and a willing mentor and coach for other students.

Graduates with Leadership Distinction

James Agens, Arianna Bertolotti, Hayley Dunn, Catherine Livingston, Brianna Loewke, Grayson McClendon, Grace Mills, Lella Ottinger, Madelyn (Maddie) Seabolt, Amelia Schroeder, Larsyn Vandermast, Madelyn Weston

Kappa Tau Alpha

Madison Dramstad, Griffin Goodwyn, Callie Hribar, Sydney Jack, Lauren Larsen, Katherine Levey, Nicholas Lott, Laura Lucivero, Caroline Newcomb, Ava Rossini, Madison Thompson, Madelyn Weston, Sydney Zulywitz

Latin Honors

Savion N. Ashmon, Holyn G. Aukerman, Sara E. Barnikel, Arianna M. Bertolotti, Natalie Bianchi, Alyssa C. Bladzik, Emma C. Blystone, Nicole K. Boyd, Nicole T. Boyle, Jordan T. Bradley, Hannah M. Brown, Elizabeth H. Bryerton, Mary A. Burner, Danielle M. Cahn, Jillian N. Camilleri, Claire C. Carter, Rachel G. Carter, Chloe N. Caudill, Emma S. Celentano, Anne D. Christopher, Kirsten E. Clark, Sara M. Cole, Jamison W. Cooper, Grace L. Cope, Benjamin W. Crispin, Alexis H. Croft, Helen J. Crosswell, Jordan R. Davis, Olyvia N. Dill, Madison Q. Dramstad, Hayley J. Dunn, Kaeleigh B. Dunn, Benjamin H. Early, Riley J. Edenbeck, Sydney A. Elder, Allie G. Elsey, Stephen M. Enright, Raymond C. Escoto, Caroline N. Farrell, Grace I. Frazier, Christopher M. Froehlich, Josie G. Frost, Camille M. Garner, Michael L. Gibson, Alexis F. Gilfillan, Kylie K. Glinsky, Emma P. Gordy, Kaitlyn M. Gough, Maelani R. Groff, Olivia K. Gummo, Katherine A. Hall, Casey P. Hall, Edwin L. Hammond, Emma G. Harwood, Anna E. Heidel, Henry A. Heredia, Julia Hess, Emma J. Hess, Amelia A. Hill, Anna J. Hirst, Tyler A. Holmes, Phoebe J. Howie, Tyler R. Hucks, Katie G. Jameson, Zoe Kennedy, Jada Kirkland, Jackson E. Knight, Brianna K. Kordes, Sophia E. Laico, Katie G. Langan, Clay Laucella, Margaret I. Lesesne, Katelyn B. Lesesne, Morgan E. Liotti, Catherine V. Livingston, Brianna A. Loewke, Laura D. Lucivero, Margaret H. Lunn, Emma G. Madsen, Lauren R. Mandel, Rachel E. Manning, Ryan A. Manor, Jenna G. Marandola, Emma G. Martin, Elizabeth P. Martinez, Francisco J. Martinez Ramirez, Katherine J. Mathis, Caroline C. McAuley, Grayson S. McClendon, Zharia T. McFadden, Isabelle S. Mearls, Kayla J. Medlin, Grace E. Mills, Mary Bradham O. Minor, Meredith C. Moore, Julia E. Morgan, Kristina T. Murray, Lily G. O'Neil, Rebeca Olariu, Loren E. Osteen, Lelia A. Ottinger, Anna G. Ottinger, Tashera M. Pravato, Calista N. Pushman, Raynee E. Quillen, Wade J. Rainey, Brianna K. Rao, Cooper V. Redd, Parker T. Rhodes, Jasmin Rivera Flores, Morgan S. Robinson, Janice Rodriguez, Mallory L. Roof, Gracie E. Rorie, Alexander J. Ross, Hanna N. Schatteman, Georgia Schlacter, Amelia Q. Schroeder, Madelyn M. Seabolt, Grace M. Shields, Keelin C. Sibley, Hailey D. Smilowitz, Isabelle S. Snelling, Desiree P. Solenberger, Bethany M. Speciale, Tyler J. Steeland, Annie C. Studer, Caroline R. Sumner, Gillian E. Thomas, Emily T. Thompson, Madison L. Thompson, Emilia B. Usher, Larsyn R. Vandermast, Claire R. Wallace, Kendall E. Wase, Amanda P. Watson, Madelyn R. Weston, Flannery H. Whitney, Lauren M. Wickham, Margaret L. Williams, Mikayla B. Woolley, Hallie A. Worth, Julia Zaino.

College of Information and Communications

See all photos from the awards ceremony and reception