College of Communication and Information Honors Award Recipients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 5, 2017) — The University of Kentucky College of Communication and Information held its 17th annual Excellence Awards and Dinner on Friday, April 7, at the Hilary J. Boone Center.

The college recognized the following staff, faculty, alumni and friends:

Friend of the College Award: Recognizes a person who has demonstrated support to the college or one of its units by volunteering, providing internships or by their involvement in programs supported by the college.

This year the college honored two recipients:

• Craig Kurz, board member and mentor for the University of Kentucky’s Innovation Network for Entrepreneurial Thinking (iNet); and
• Jeremy Rogers, supporter of and mentor for the School of Journalism and Media and its Scripps Howard First Amendment Center.

Outstanding Alumnus Award: Recognizes an alumnus of the College of Communication and Information for their many contributions to the college and to our community.

This year the college honored:

• Jennifer Smith, graduate of the School of Journalism and Media.

Faculty Teaching Excellence Award: Recognizes faculty who not only demonstrate mastery of the subject matter, but also awareness of current developments, and a vision of what is to come. Recipients demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate that knowledge to students in ways that foster understanding, intellectual growth and a broadening of perspectives.

This year the college honored:

• Maria Cahill, assistant professor in the School of Information Science.

Graduate Teaching Excellence Award: Recognizes students who not only excel in their own studies, but they also demonstrate knowledge and expertise of their field through teaching undergraduate students.

This year the college honored:

• Nick Tatum, second year doctoral student specializing in instructional communication.

Faculty Research Award: Recognizes faculty achievement in research that is important to both the college and the faculty member’s area of expertise.

This year the college honored two recipients:

• Marko Dragojevic, assistant professor in the Department of Communication; and
• Tae Baek, assistant professor in the Department of Integrated Strategic Communication.

Outstanding Staff Award: Recognizes outstanding work and contributions by a staff member.

This year the college honored two recipients:

• Catherine Hayden, communications director for the College of Communication and Information; and
• Harlie Collins, communications marketing specialist for the School of Information Science.

Faculty Community Service Award: Recognizes achievements by our faculty in service to our community.

This year the college honored:

• Don Helme, associate professor in the Department of Communication.

Outstanding Advisor Award: Recognizes the critical role played by advisors in fostering academic achievement, clearing pathways to graduation, and providing meaningful engagement on campus and in the community.

This year the college honored two recipients:

• Suanne Early, student affairs director of the College of Communication and Information; and 
• Brandi Frisby, associate professor in the School of Information Science and Instructional Communication.

The College of Communication and Information also honored the following outstanding graduate students at the Excellence Awards:

• Allie Thieneman, Bruce H. Westley Memorial Scholarship;
• Audrey Smith Bachman, Dorothy M. Carozza Memorial Fellowship Fund, Palmgreen Fellowship;
• Whitney Darnell, Carozza Graduate Fund for Excellence in Health Communication;
• Sarah Scheff, Martha and Howard Sypher Memorial Graduate Fund;
• Kaylee Lukacena, R. Lewis Donohew Graduate Fellowship;
• Robert Rice, Crisis/Risk Communication Research Fellow;
• Anna-Carrie “Annie” Beck, Interpersonal Communication Research Fellow;
• Nicholas Tatum, Interpersonal Communication Research Fellow;
• Emily Fox, Vivian J. and Melissa MacQuown Forsyth Fellowship Fund;
• Amanda Neace, Hallie Day Blackburn Scholarship; and
• Shawntel Ensminger, Hallie Day Blackburn Scholarship.