2025 Honorees
ComArtSci is proud to recognize our 2025 class of honorees who will be honored at The Celebration.
Kelley L. Carter | Joshua Feldman | Sam Klemet | Curtis Matzke | Kathleen Melinda (Schlager) Wilbur, Ph.D. | Haley Kluge
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
B.A. 2007 Journalism
Kelley L. Carter is an Emmy-winning journalist who currently hosts celebrity interview series for ESPN's Andscape.
She also is an ABC News entertainment contributor who is regularly featured on Good Morning America, ABC's Nightline and GMA3. Carter has interviewed many of sports and Hollywood’s elite, including Brad Pitt, Usher, Angelina Jolie, Venus and Serena Williams, George Clooney, Kobe Bryant, Will Smith, Samuel L. Jackson, Magic Johnson, LeBron James, Denzel Washington, Magic Johnson, Drew Barrymore, Jamie Foxx, Mark Wahlberg, Kyrie Irving, Katie Holmes, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Tyler Perry, Taraji P. Henson, Sugar Ray Leonard, Ben Stiller, Mike Tyson, Drew Brees, Bradley Cooper, Courteney Cox, Angela Bassett, Jennifer Aniston, Chadwick Boseman, Ryan Reynolds, Michael B. Jordan, Sandra Bullock, Mary J. Blige and many others.
Senior Entertainment Reporter for ESPN'S Andscape and ABC News Entertainment Contributor
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
B.A. 1994 Advertising
Josh Feldman serves as Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Advertising and Partnerships.
In this role, Feldman oversees the entire Marketing and Brand Partnerships group to drive effective creative strategies for brands in the marketplace. His group comprises the division’s Marketing, Creative, Development, Brand Partnerships, Trade Marketing and Commerce teams. Feldman and his team operate the division's full-scale creative agency, develop and monetize all sponsorship opportunities, and lead NBCUniversal's innovative suite of commerce solutions. In addition to being responsible for all client integrated marketing opportunities across the portfolio, including on-the-ground marketing integrations for industry-first events like BravoCon, Feldman also leads all B2B marketing events such as Upfront presentations and the “One” technology conference series.
Previously, Feldman served as the division’s Executive Vice President, Head of Marketing and Advertising Creative. Prior to joining NBCUniversal, Feldman started his career at Turner Broadcasting, where he took on various roles including Senior Vice President & National Sales Manager, Vice President & New York Sales Manager as well as Account Executive, where he oversaw client relationships for Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, truTV, TBS and TNT.
Feldman has been named to the Multichannel News “40 Under 40” list, and his team has been recognized with multiple awards for their innovative client partnerships. He also serves on numerous boards, including Young Audiences New York (YANY), GFYC Foundation, and YMCA’s Arts and Letters Committee. Feldman is a graduate of Michigan State University.
Chief Marketing Officer, NBCUniversal Advertising & Partnerships
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
B.A. 2007 Journalism
Sam Klemet is the Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association (DADA) and Detroit Auto Show.
A Metro Detroit native and Michigan State University graduate with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, Klemet’s career began as an on-air journalist, with a decade of impactful storytelling in Illinois, Minnesota, and Indiana. Transitioning to leadership, he made a mark as Director of Member Services for the Indiana Broadcasters Association (IBA) and Arland Communications, where he honed his skills in strategic initiatives and member engagement. Klemet’s journey continued with his tenure as President and CEO of the Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB). During nearly three years at MAB, he launched the acclaimed Great Lakes Broadcast and Sports Media Academy at Ford Field, the largest industry event of its kind for students, and spearheaded the award-winning "Be There" campaign, which energized job recruitment in broadcasting.
In May 2024, Klemet joined the DADA and Detroit Auto Show as Co-Executive Director alongside Rod Alberts, marking a pivotal step in his career. This transition positioned him to take the reins as sole Executive Director in January 2025, becoming only the sixth person to hold this title in the organization's storied history. With a deep passion for his hometown and a visionary approach, Klemet is dedicated to propelling the Detroit Auto Show to new heights as a cornerstone of the global automotive industry.
Executive Director of the Detroit Auto Dealers Association and Detroit Auto Show
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
B.A. 2010 Media Arts and Technology; M.A. 2012 Telecommunication, Information Studies and Media
Curtis Matzke is an accomplished director, screenwriter, and producer in Chicago, IL.
He has contributed to numerous shorts, documentaries, and micro-budget features recognized at various film festivals, including Athens International, Cinequest, NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, and more. Curtis is a staunch supporter of independent film and often speaks with students and filmmakers about different strategies for success, including at the SXSW Film Festival, Sundance Chicago, and Michigan State University. The legendary Werner Herzog recently mentored Curtis on creating new short projects, and his latest experimental horror short film, SINK, premiered at the Academy-qualifying Chicago International Film Festival and has screened at a dozen festivals since. He has participated in artist residencies and labs abroad in France, Iceland, and Italy, as well as domestically in Illinois, California, and Vermont.
Curtis is co-directing a feature documentary which Lilly Wachowski (THE MATRIX) is the executive producer. Curtis has received professional development grants from the Illinois Arts Council and the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.
He explores various other art forms, including photography, painting, and short story writing. He holds a B.A. in Media Arts and Technology and an M.A. in Telecommunication, Information Studies, and Media from Michigan State University with a concentration in Television, Cinema, & Radio, a minor in Film Studies, and a Specialization in Design.
Director, Unfurnished Films LLC
OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
Kathleen Melinda (Schlager) Wilbur, Ph.D.
B.A. 1975 Journalism
Kathleen Melinda (Schlager) Wilbur, Ph.D., was a proud Michigan State University Spartan, earning three degrees from MSU: a BA in Journalism, MA in Higher Education Administration, and a PhD in Higher Education Administration.
Kathy began her career on various local and state-wide political campaigns. She joined the administration of State Senator Bill Sederberg and was later elected to the MSU Board of Trustees in 1984, where she served until 1991. She then led three different state departments – the first woman to ever do so. Following her career in state government she spent 16 years at Central Michigan University, serving as interim president and other senior roles. She ended her career as the senior vice president of government relations at MSU. She was inducted in the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame in 2007. Kathy spent countless hours serving her community through WKAR’s Radio Reading Service, The Zonta Club of East Lansing, the Women’s Caring Program, and other organizations.
Kathy was married for 43 years to her beloved husband, Tom, and had four sons: Tom, Will, Sam, and Ray. She was also a grandmother to Mary Lewis Wilbur, daughter of Tom and Leslie.
Senior Vice President, Emeritus, Michigan State University
RISING STAR
B.A. 2017 Journalism
Haley Kluge is the youngest-ever and first female creative director in Variety magazine's 120-year history.
She oversees 48 weekly print issues and 52 award-related publications and has designed over 100 magazine covers featuring stars such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lopez, and Michael J. Fox. Kluge also led an award-winning redesign of Variety across digital platforms, including web, social media, and video. Her work has earned recognition from prestigious organizations, including the Art Directors Club, the Society of Publication Designers, the Los Angeles Press Club, the National Press Arts and Entertainment Society, and the Society of Illustrators.
In 2023, Kluge was named to Forbes "30 Under 30" and recognized as a Journalist Under 30 by the American Society of Magazine Editors. Kluge's career at Variety began as a senior designer, and she quickly advanced to deputy art director, art director, and ultimately creative director. She briefly left Variety to join Netflix, where she was part of the inaugural design team for the company's fandom platform, Tudum, helping to spearhead the project's launch. After working at Netflix as a senior designer and art director, Kluge later returned to Variety in her current role.
Before joining Variety, Kluge studied journalism and graphic design at Michigan State University. She also held design roles at Men's Health, Good Housekeeping and Cosmopolitan.
Creative Director, Variety