Faculty and staff were joined by award sponsors to honor outstanding student work at the 2009 Public Communication division award ceremony.
Best Case Analysis
In Professor Ronne Ostby’s Communication Theory class, Elizabeth Nicolet wrote her paper on “A Rhetorical Analysis of the Television Show South Park.” In her examination of the show, Elizabeth explains how South Park creates narratives by providing insight into the way television writers use stories to make an argument about a specific issue. She also discusses how the show’s subject matter is a good way to understand discourse on popular issues and trends. Elizabeth passed her comps with distinction.
The award is sponsored by the PR firm Wendt Partners, with offices in Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania.
Best Academic Paper
In Professor Nisbet’s Communication Theory class, Katie Broendel explored how sexual violence is framed in the media. Her analysis showed that women’s groups should advocate against the depiction of sexually violent material, and should work to develop positive portrayals of women to combat stereotypes.
The award is sponsored by Atmosphere BBDO, a New York based digital agency.
Best Strategic Communication Plan – Graduate
Megan Witt produced a “Strategic Communication Plan for the American Guild of Organists.” With a declining number of pipe organ majors in the country, Megan developed a series of unique tactics to create a resurgence of interest in learning how to play the instrument. Professor Melillo considered it the best paper in her fall Principles of Strategic Communication class.
The award is sponsored by Emanate PR based in New York; Gregory Papajohn of Emanate judged this category.
Best Strategic Communication Plan – Undergraduate
In Professor Stack’s PR Case Studies class, Jess Stone, Maria Piessis and Ami Patel wrote a strategic communication plan for the Latin American Youth Center, a multicultural after-school program in the District. The plan focused on targeting area universities to help recruit more volunteers to offer tutoring and homework assistance to the youth organization. Download their presentation, or check out the newsletter they developed.
Best Crisis Communication Paper - Graduate
From Zhejiang, China, Jinghe Wang developed an extensive Capstone Project on “Managing Crisis in China, through a study of the emerging social-cultural trends in the Chinese Market.” Supervised by Professor Melillo, Jinghe extensively studied the crises experienced by three multi-national corporations to examine five separate trends within China today. Her paper provides important insights for addressing cultural differences when managing a crisis situation in China.
The award is sponsored by Professor Darrell Hayes.
Best Crisis Communication Plan – Undergraduate
From Princeton, New Jersey, Hilary Richards developed an extensive crisis communication plan for the Princeton Day School. In her paper, Hilary provided tools for dealing with a wide-range of crisis situations and then added the specific messaging strategies for a scenario involving the death of a student due to an allergic reaction. Professor Hayes called the plan one of the best he has seen.
The award is sponsored by Professor Darrell Hayes.
Best Digital Campaign – Graduate
In Professor Jeff Bieber’s Communications and Social Change Class, Alyssa Geisler, Corie Hawks, Sarah Blair-Miller and Raiza Castro were part of a digital media team, which created a Web site for a student-generated campaign to promote the benefits of engaging in healthy sexual relations. Mark Purdy was on the communications team and Katie Broendel created the social networking sites for the effort, called “The Yes Campaign.” The class also developed a public service announcement that was placed on YouTube.
The award is sponsored by MRM Worldwide, a New York-based digital agency.
Best Research Paper – Graduate
In Professor Zaharna’s Communication Theory class, Mark Purdy wrote a paper on the “Effects of New Media on the Orange Revolution in Ukraine.” Through sound analysis of communication theory and a strong case profile of the November 2004 events, Mark illustrated how new media played a major role in disseminating information to the public about election fraud.
The award is sponsored by Market Research Bureau LLC.
Best Research Paper – Undergraduate
In Professor Lynch’s Special Topics in the 2008 Election: Politics, Polls and the Youth Vote, the entire class produced a research paper that included a polling analysis of young voters in the election, produced with USA Today and Gallup. The analysis was published in the On Politics blog of USAToday.com. With the help of graduate work-study student Nina Keim, a special AU Web site was designed for the class.
Best International Paper – Graduate
In Professor Zaharna’s International Public Relations class, Andrea Eugenia Pinero Veitia wrote on “Vote Turnout in Venezuela.” The paper analyzed a campaign to promote civic engagement and voting among Venezuela’s youth.
The award is sponsored by the Boeing Company.
Best Political Communication Paper – Undergraduate
In Professor Steinhorn’s Presidential Campaign 2008 class, Sabrina Sussman wrote a paper arguing that Barack Obama won the election because his candidacy inspired faith in the American voter. Professor Steinhorn said Sabrina’s work embodied her “search for deeper meaning,” and he applauded the depth of her thinking and the quality of her analysis.
The award is sponsored by Ericho Communications.
Best Visual Strategy – Graduate
Graduate student Jake Brus discovered his inner graphic talent in Professor Debra Witt’s Visual Strategies class. On behalf of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Jake created a newsletter and poster to show the organization’s members that there are sustainable ways to live.
The award is sponsored by AU’s Center for Teaching Excellence.
Best Portfolio Campaign – Undergraduate
In Professor Puglisi’s PR Portfolio class, students were challenged to create a campaign for a non-profit group that helps immigrants in Virginia called “Just Neighbors.” The class worked in groups to prepare a panel discussion, a “Meet and Greet” event, and a toy drive for children of immigrants. Rob Rutland-Brown of Channel 9-WUSA interviewed class members in the media group to talk about the immigration issue. The outreach group put together a silent auction online through Ebay. “I’m proud of each of these students,” Professor Puglisi says.
Best Graduate Capstone Project – Weekday Program
From Frankfurt, Germany, Nina Keim’s project was about “Leveraging Opinion Leaders: Increasing the Social Impact of Social Documentaries.” Supervised by Professor Matt Nisbet, Nina examined ways to make social documentaries more effective instruments for social change. She did an exceptional job blending theory and practical ways for downstream engagement of opinion leaders. Read the introduction
Best Graduate Capstone Project – Weekday Program
From Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Soknak Hor examined “Population Services International Cambodia’s Reproductive Health Campaign.” Supervised by Professor Ivancin, Soknak applied the communication theories of “Diffusion of Innovation, Transtheoretical Model and Framing” as tools to promote the adoption of modern contraceptive methods in Cambodia.
The award is sponsored by Market Research Bureau LLC.
Best Graduate Capstone Project – Weekend Program
Kelly Hannon Morones works as a reporter specializing in transportation issues for the Fredericksburg, Virginia, Free-Lance Star. For her Capstone Project, Kelly developed an extensive “Case Study of the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation’s Y Campaign to Reduce Youth Smoking Using Social Marketing.” Supervised by Professor Zaharna, Kelly pulled apart the best practices identified in social marketing theory and applied them to the strengths and weaknesses of this important campaign to reduce smoking rates among 10 to 17 – year olds in Virginia. Kelly also passed her comps with distinction.
The award is sponsored by the Washington, D.C.- based social marketing firm Hager Sharp.
M.A. Comprehensive Exam With Distinction – Weekday Program
Three graduate students in the Weekday program completed the comprehensive exam with distinction.
We would like to recognize Sara-Katherine Ferrell, Elizabeth Nicolet and Katherine Zinder for their outstanding work on the exam.
M.A. Comprehensive Exam with distinction - Weekend program
Four graduate students in the weekend graduate program completed the comprehensive final exam with distinction. We would like to recognize Jocelyn Harris, Alison Nagy, Richard "Andre" Bell, and Andrew Wimmer
Outstanding Contribution to the SOC Community
Scott Colati has worked for the School of Communication for more than a year assisting in the 2008 re-accreditation process, and working on the roll-out of the new Web site for the University and SOC in particular. Scott is also the Library's Student Liaison, a new position he pitched to the University Librarian to increase student outreach and involvement. Scott is a senior in Public Communication and a minor in Marketing focusing on advertising, brand management/identity and integrated marketing plans.
This is the Hager Sharp Founders award in honor of Susan Hager.
