Alumni Awards

photo of alumni awards

Each year, the college’s Alumni Board recognizes outstanding alumni and friends to be honored at the annual Celebration event for their outstanding achievements, service to the community and enduring impact on students.

Watch the 2024 Celebration here.

Alumni Award Criteria and Nomination Forms

Recognizes alumni who have obtained the highest level of professional or academic accomplishment and demonstrated service to the College of Communication Arts & Sciences and the community.

Ideal Candidate Must:

  • Be a graduate of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences (ComArtSci) at Michigan State University.
  • Have achieved significant recognition or accomplishment in their chosen field (business, academic, military/government, the arts, etc.), community service or University service.
  • Be able to accept the award in person and participate in the honoree panel discussion and awards ceremony/dinner at ComArtSci.

Deadline

ComArtSci Outstanding Alumni Nominations are now closed. Please check back in April 2025 when we re-open our nominations. If you have any questions please reach out to casalum@msu.edu.

Honors an alumnus or alumna who graduated within the past 10 years and has a strong record of accomplishment and service to the community.

Ideal candidate must:

  • Be a graduate of the College of Communication Arts & Sciences (ComArtSci) at Michigan State University
  • Have achieved significant recognition or accomplishment in their chosen field (business, academic, military/government, the arts, etc.), community service or University service.
  • Have graduated from ComArtSci within the past 10 years.
  • Be able to accept the award in person and participate in the honoree panel discussion and awards ceremony/dinner at the ComArtSci.

Deadline

ComArtSci Rising Star Nominations are now closed. Please check back in April 2025 when we re-open our nominations. If you have any questions please reach out to casalum@msu.edu.

 

Presented to individuals for their continued support and volunteer service to Michigan State University and the College of Communication Arts & Sciences.

Email casalum@msu.edu if you are interested in nominating an individual for the Honorary Alumni Award.

Past Alumni Award Honorees

Find past honorees listed below alphabetically with the year of their award in parentheses.

Jazmin Bailey, BA 2011 Journalism (2020)
Traci E. Carpenter, BA 2005 Journalism (2012)
Kelley L. Carter, BA 2007 Journalism (2010)
Jon D. Erickson, BA 2008 Journalism (2017)
Asia Gholston, BS 2012 Media and Communication Technology (2019)
Darien Harris, BA 2015 Journalism (2022)
Jemele J. Hill, BA 1997 Journalism (2007)
Erica Hughes, BA 2008 Communication (2018)
Jason R. James, BA 2005, MA 2007 Telecomm, Info Studies & Media (2011)
Chelsey D. Kantor, BA 2007 Advertising (2013)
Natasha LaGrone BA 2013 Communication (2024)
Andrew P. MacMillan, BA 1999 Telecommunication (2009)
Brian T. Murray, BA 2006 Telecomm, Info Studies & Media (2016)
Nedra Pickler, BA 1998 Journalism (2006)
Michael Smiy, BA 2012 Advertising (2021)
Tom Staudt, MA 2012 Telecomm, Info Studies & Media (2023)
Sri W. Sukotjo, MA 2003 Health Communication (2008)
Fahad K. Sultan, BA 2009 Communication (2014)
Derek N. Wallbank, Jr., BA 2006 Journalism (2015)

Hoekyun Ahn, MA 1994 Telecommunication, PHD 2000 Mass Media (2011)
Yoshihiro Akutsu, PHD 1969 Communication (1990)
James A. Alexander, III, BA 1985 Telecommunication (2004)
Hazem Alwattar, BA 1986 Telecommunication (2017)
Patricia Anstett, BA 1969 Journalism (2019)
Judith E. App-Winter, BA 1980 Telecommunication (2007)
Edmund C. Arnold, B 1954 Journalism (1978)
Susan L. Astrachan, B 1965 Journalism (2006)
Merri Jo Bales, BA 1977 Communication (2009)
Don H. Ball, B 1949 Journalism (1973)
Leonard R. Barnes, Jr., B 1943 Journalism (1980)
Leland K. Bassett, BA 1968 Communication (1992)
Nicholas D. Becharas, BA 1984 Advertising (2015)
Mark Bellissimo, BA 1986 Advertising (2022)
Luis R. Beltran, MA 1968, PHD 1972 Communication (1982)
David C. Bender, MA 1973 Communication (1987)
Cary R. Benson, BA 1981 Advertising (2016)
Lois I. Bernstein, BA 1973 Communication (2017)
Phillip R. Bertolini, BA 1985 Telecommunication (2010)
Cassandra L. Book, BA 1970 Communication (1978)
Debra L. Bowen, BA 1976 Communication (2007)
Ellis N. Brandt, B 1943 Journalism (1988)
Alfred R. Bransdorfer, B 1950 Journalism (1985)
Terry W. Braverman, B 1960 Television and Radio (1994)
Andrea Brimmer, BA 1987 Advertising (2018)
Judith L. Brown Clarke, BA 1983 Audiology and Speech Sciences, MS 1995 Exercise Science (1993)
Barbara E. Bryant, M 1967 Journalism, PHD 1970 Communication (1976)
Michael B. Budman, BA 1968 Advertising (2004)
Susan M. Bullard, BA 1974 Journalism (2007)
David B. Buller, PHD 1984 Communication (2016)
Mary K. Buller, BA 1983 Communication (2016)
William C. Bunting, II, BA 1977 Advertising, MA 1984 Communication (1997)
H. Michael Burgoon, PHD 1970 Communication (1997)
Benjamin J. Burns, B 1963 Journalism (1995)
Rodney B. Burton, B 1950 Journalism (1978)
Katharine G. Butler, PHD 1967 Speech and Theater (1973)
Dr. Kerry J. Byrnes, BA 1967 Sociology, MA 1968 Communication (2020)
Francis C. Byrnes, PHD 1963 Communication (1974)
Stephen L. Byrnes, Sr., MA 1968 Advertising (1974)
Kenzie A. Cameron, Ph.D., MPH, FACH, MA 1996 Communication, PHD 1998 Communication (2020)
Gary M. Cates, BA Journalism (2023)
C. Leslie Charles, BA 1983 Communication (1998)
Marvin R. Chauvin, B 1957 Speech and Theater (1976)
Lirong Cheng, MA 1973 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2000)
Peter Collman, BA 1998 Telecommunication (2020)
Ann E. Corwell, BA 1971 Communication (2000)
Wayne T. Coyle, B 1965 History (1977)
Brenda J. Cucci, BA 1988, MA 1995 Telecommunication (1999)
Thomas J. Culligan, B 1967 Advertising (2013)
Patrick C. Cyccone, Jr., BA 1981 Telecommunication (2002)
Susan D. Dalebout, BA 1974, MA 1975 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2014)
Margaret L. Dancy, M 1964 Speech and Theater (2001)
Christopher J. D'Arienzo, BA 1994 Journalism (2013)
R. Matt Davis, BA 1986 Journalism (2018)
Leo V. Deal, PHD 1965 Speech and Theater (1989)
Edward D. Deeb, B 1960 Advertising (1979)
Crawford B. Del Prete, BA 1987 Communication (2012)
Brenda Dervin, MA 1968, PHD 1971 Communication (1989)
Ray DeThorne, BA 1980 Advertising; MA 1981 Advertising (2021)
Mary E. Diez, PHD 1983 Communication (1993)
Dennis C. Dirschell (2008)
Patricia A. Dorn, BA 1981 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2013)
Dorothy E. Dreyer, PHD 1969 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1978)
James H. Dunbar, Jr., B 1951 Journalism (2008)
Karen B. Dunlap, BA 1971 Journalism (1998)
Kim Eberhardt BA 2002 Journalism; MA 2012 Public Relations (2024)
Carole M. Eberly-Ebel, B 1966, MA 1985 Journalism (1981)
Jack Ebling BA 1973 Television and Radio; BA 1975 Communication (2024)
Arthur W. Einstein, Jr., M 1959 Advertising (1995)
Michael L. Elrick, BA 1990 Journalism (2013)
Lonnie L. Emerick, B 1956, M 1959, PHD 1966 Speech and Theater (1995)
Richard D. Estell, B 1957 Speech and Theater, MA 1968 Television and Radio (1973)
Ryan Field, B.A. 1999 Journalism (2021)
Molly W. Fletcher, BA 1993 Communication (2008)
Kathy A. Foltner, MA 1976 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2017)
Brian F. Fontes, PHD 1977 Mass Media (1998)
Lee C. Frischknecht, M 1957 Speech and Theater (1975)
Lawrence T. Frymire, B 1944 Education, M 1947 Special Education, PHD 1961 Higher Education (1984)
William M. Fulkerson, Jr., PHD 1969 Speech and Theater (1987)

James L. Gaudino, PHD 1988 Communication (2010)
Peter Gent, B 1964 Advertising (1999)
Jeffrey H. Genthner, BA 1980 Telecommunication (2013)
Thomas M. Girocco, B 1963, MA 1972 Television and Radio (1979)
Richard S. Golden, BA 1970 Advertising (2005)
Donald A. Gonyea, BA 1978 Telecommunication, BA 1980 Advertising (2003)
Richard E. Gosselin, BA 1972 Journalism (2014)
Mary R. Grealy, BA 1971 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2014)
Dr. Norma Fay Green, BA Journalism 1969; PhD Mass Media 1993 (2022)
Gary Gumpert, M 1956 Speech and Theater (1993)
William H. Haas, B 1953, M 1960 Speech and Theater, PHD 1970 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1988)
Louis T. Hagopian, B 1947 General Business Administration (1978)
Christopher E. Hansen, BA 1981 Telecommunication (2009)
Edward J. Hardick, PHD 1964 Speech and Theater (1972)
Sherry L. Harmon, BS 1975 Retailing (2011)
Gregory W. Harrison, BA 1991 Telecommunication (2004)
Randall P. Harrison, PHD 1964 Communication (1975)
Tanya K. Hart, BA 1971 Television and Radio (1982)
Alyssa R. Harvey Dawson, BA 1991 Journalism (2011)
Brian L. Hawkins, MA 1972 Communication (1996)
David T. Hayhow, B 1955 Journalism (2000)
Marti K. S. Heil, BA 1976 Advertising (2023)
Ashton Henderson BA 2010 Advertising; MA 2012 Public Relations (2024)
Lynn G. Henning, BA 1974 Journalism (2008)
Wanda J. Herndon, BA 1974, MA 1979 Journalism (2001)
Joel F. Higgins, B 1966 Advertising (1989)
Jemele Hill, BA 1997 Journalism (2019)
R. Randolph Hippler, B 1960 Television and Radio (1994)
Donald J Hoenshell, B 1950 Journalism (1974)
Rackeline J. Hoff, B 1965 Advertising (2017)
Jack L. Hogan, B 1957 Speech and Theater (1995)
Mark J. Hollis, BA 1985 Communication (2009)
Anthony J. Hopp, B 1967, MA 1968 Advertising (2000)
Aisha Howard, BA '07 Journalism (2022)
Jacqueline (Jack) Howard, BA '03 Journalism (2022)
Carole L. Hutton, BA 1978 Journalism (2003)
Michael F. Irvine, B 1967, MA 1969 Advertising (2016)
Frederick N. Jacobs, MA 1974 Television and Radio (2012)
Paul Jacobs, B.A. 1976 Advertising (2021)
Gene F. Jankowski, MA 1969 Television and Radio (1990)
William R. Jenkins, B 1966 Advertising (1993)
Thomas W. Jobson, B 1949 Journalism (1986)
Geoffrey M. Johns, BA 1995 Telecommunication (2015)
Gerald F. Johnson, PHD 1963 Speech and Theater (1975)
G. Donald Johnston, Jr., B 1950 Journalism (1976)
Chosei Kiyosh Kabira, B 1956 Speech and Theater (1980)
Ronald F. Karle, B 1966 Journalism (1975)
George C. Katsarelas, BA 1982 Advertising (2011)
Nancy R. Kaufman, BA 1978 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2010)
Coleen M. King, BA 1983 Communication (2020)
Kay A. Koplovitz, MA 1968 Television and Radio (1985)
Felipe Korzenny, MA 1975, PHD 1977 Communication (1997)
William C. Kulsea, B 1935 Biological Science - No Major (1992)
Jeffrey Lambert, BA 1993 Advertising (2018)
Leonard L. Lapointe, B 1961 Speech and Theater (2003)
Patricia G. Larkins Hicks, MA 1972 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1990)
Anne Marie Lasher, BA 1986 Telecommunication (2019)
Laura Lawson, BA 1999 Advertising (2018)
Larry P. Lee, BA 1970 Journalism (2012)
Jan S. Lewin, PHD 1994 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2009)
Dennis Lewin, B 1965 Television and Radio (1974)
Richard P. Liblong, BA 1970 Television and Radio (2008)
Carole M. Lick, B 1964 Speech and Theater (2011)
Robert A. Lyons, B 1957, M 1967 Speech and Theater (1979)

Myra L. MacPherson, B 1956 Journalism (1976)
Glenn T. Marrichi, BA 1972 Advertising (2012)
Roger L. Martin, APR, BA 1981 Journalism (2020)
Barbara R. Mason, B 1963 Speech and Theater (2002)
Angela R. Massenberg, PHD 1988 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2015)
Kirk Mayes, BA 1990 Communication (2019)
James H. McCartney, B 1949 Political Science (1989)
William J. McEwen, M 1967, PHD 1969 Communication (2004)
Amy E. McGraw, BA 1989 Telecommunication (2017)
Patrick L. McNew, MA 1969 Television and Radio (1982)
John A. Meyers, B 1951 Journalism (1975)
Keith W. Mielke, PHD 1965 Communication (1987)
Richard L. Milliman, B 1950 Journalism (1979)
Rosa E. Morales, BA 1978 Journalism (1982)
Karen M. Morrow, BA 1969 Communication (1999)
Robert D. Moulton, Jr., PHD 1974 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1998)
Sheldon Moyer, B 1943 Economics (1972)
Craig R. Murray, BA 1976 Advertising (1996)
Hirotaka Nakasone, MA 1979, PHD 1984 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2005)
Diane L. Neal, BS 1979 Retailing (2015)
Janet L. Nelson, B 1953 Journalism (1987)
Richard H. Newberg, MA 1971 Television and Radio (2005)
Judith M. Nicol, BA 1966 Journalism (1972)
Jana R. O'Brien, BA 1979, MA 1980 Advertising (2006)
Tim A. O'Brien, B 1967 Television and Radio (1996)
Susan R. Oliphant, BA 1968 Television and Radio (1983)
Michael G. Olman, BA 1990 Telecommunication (2006)
Jim R. Osborn, B 1953 General Business Administration (1978)
Susan E. Packard, BA 1977, MA 1979 Advertising (2003)
Bonita L. Perry, M 1967 Speech and Theater, PHD 1971 Communication (1983)
Gary Dean Pascoe, BA 1990 Advertising (2019)
Dale A. Petroskey, BA 1978 Journalism (2015)
Chadwick "Niles" Philips, BA 2006 Communication (2023)
Eric S. Pianin, BA 1968 Journalism (2002)
John S. Pingel, B 1939 Economics (1975)
Larry L. Pontius, B 1961 Television and Radio, M 1966 Advertising (1979)
Ivan L. Preston, M 1961, PHD 1964 Communication (1984)
John C. Preuss, BA 1988 Journalism (2011)
Frank Price (1985)
Doris I. Proctor, B 1940 Music Theory, PHD 1967 Special Education (1980)
James H. Quello, B 1935 Arts & Letters (1974)
Jeffrey C. Rachor, BA 1983 Communication (2018)
Byron B. Reeves, MA 1974, PHD 1976 Communication (2001)
Robert W. Reynolds, M 1963 Marketing (2000)
Dusty E. Rhodes, B 1950 Speech and Theater (2005)
Douglas B. Rider, B 1956 Speech and Theater (1993)
Dawn Riley, BA 1987 Advertising (1997)
Thomas A. Riordan, B 1947 Journalism (1994)
Michael E. Roloff, MA 1974 Communication; PhD 1975 Communication (2023)
Solomon Rundbaken, PHD 1966 Speech and Theater (1974)

Gordon A. Sabine, (1980)
Mrs. Martha Sarno, B 1949 Speech and Theater (1976)
Kristy Schena, BA 1993 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2018)
Anne Marie Schiller, BA 1984 Advertising (2013)
Stephen M. Schram, BA 1975 Television and Radio (2014)
Louis M. Schultz, B 1967 Advertising (1992)
Don E. Schultz, MA 1975 Advertising, PHD 1977 Mass Media (1986)
Daniel R. Schumaier, PHD 1972 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1996)
Edward W. Scott, Jr., B 1959 Communication (2012)
Robert M. Screen, PHD 1968 Audiology and Speech Sciences (1992)
Col Roy K. Sedge, M 1965 Speech and Theater (1985)
Gary W. Selnow, MA 1973 Communication, PHD 1978 Mass Media (1994)
Joseph J. Serwach, BA 1987 Journalism (2012)
Elizabeth U. Shatto, MA 1977 Telecommunication (2012)
Michael J. Sheldon, BA 1982 Advertising (2014)
Charles L. Shemely, B 1961 Advertising (1988)
Marion E. Shertzer, B 1953, M 1954 Speech and Theater (1980)
Jeffrey P. Sinelli, BA 1990 Communication (2017)
Arun Sinha, MA '84 Advertising (2022)
Richard L. Sirvaitis, BA 1971, MA 1978 Advertising (1990)
Jayne Z. Spittler, PHD 1980 Mass Media (1994)
Alicia D.D. Spoor, Au.D., B.A. 2002 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2021)
John B. Stafford, B 1959 Journalism (1997)
Jan D. Starr, MA 1975 Advertising (2002)
Timothy T. Staudt, BA 1971 Journalism (2017)
Stanley M. Stein, BA 1975 Journalism, MA 1980 Advertising (2010)
Gary Frederick Stewart, BA 1975 Communication; MA 1982 Communication (2023)
Laurence B. Stone, BA 1964 Television and Radio (2018)
Linda C. Stone, BA 1965 Speech and Theater (2016)
Robin D. Stone, BA 1986 Journalism (2004)
Regina Strong, M.S., A.P.R., B.A. 1983 Journalism (2021)
James A. Taylor, MA 1976, PHD 1978 Communication (1998)
Lee Thornton, M 1968 Speech and Theater (1981)
David Thuma, BA 1983 Advertising (2020)
Gary A. Topolewski, BA 1980 Advertising (1999)
Debra K. Townsend, BA 1974 Journalism (1992)
Frank Tramble BA 2009 Advertising (2024)
Andy Vallentine BA 2010 Telecommunication, Digital Media Arts and Technology (2024)
Mary J. VanVechten (1976)
Thomas L. Veenendall, B 1968 Speech and Theater (1995)
Nicholas Vista, B 1954 Journalism (1983)
Michael J. Vogel, BA 1968 Advertising (2001)
Jacob J. Wakshlag, PHD 1977 Communication (2000)
Richard C. Ward, B 1960 Advertising (1996)
George C. Weeks, B 1954 Journalism (1976)
Rhoda E. Weiss, BA 1971 Journalism (2008)
Scott S. Weiss, BA 1981 Advertising (2019)
David A. Weitzner, B 1960 Advertising (2009)
W. Edward Wendover, BA 1970 Journalism (1999)
Scott Westerman, BA 1978 Telecommunication (2001)
Tim S. Whaley, BA 1981 Advertising (2010)
Gilbert L. Whiteman, PHD 1971 Communication (2002)
Gretchen E. Whitmer, BA 1993 Communication (2006)
Kim A. Wilcox, BA 1976 Audiology and Speech Sciences (2006)
David D. Williams, BA 1974 Advertising (2003)
Donald W. Wilson, PHD 1966 English (1984)
Kenneth M. Winter, BA 1972 Journalism (2014)
Hyun-Oh Yoo, PHD 1999 Mass Media (2007)

Bobbie N. Arnold (2014)
Beverly Hall Burns (2013)
Richard C. Bush (2009)
Lauren Ciesa (2019)
K.C. Crain (2016)
D. Stevens McVoy (2006
Nancy E. Peters (2011)
Cornelius J. Shine (2006)
Jeff & Marianne Silver (2012)
Loretta R. Sklar (2010)
David & Sara Taft (2017)
George H. Thomas (2007)
Richard E. Wiley (2020)
John Zaffarano (2022)