News and Events

COM DAY 2022
Comm Day Awards and Grazier Lecture with Dr. Lisa Flores is coming up soon! The official date is April 29th from 4-8:30 pm with other GCA and undergraduate events being held earlier in the day. All events will be held in person this year, but we will have an ongoing Teams meeting (linked below the flyer) for those who want to join virtually. Below you can find the flyer with the complete schedule and Teams Link. Hope to see you there! 

POSTPONED UNTIL 2021 

Comm Day 2019 took place on April 26th. We'd like to thank all who contributed to making this year's Comm Day a success. You can view the winner's photos on our Facebook page.

COMM DAY 2019 FLYER

The James E. Popovich Award was created in 1976 through an endowment by Dr. Helen Popovich in memory of her spouse, Dr. James E. Popovich. Dr. Popovich was the first Chair of the Department and served from 1962 until 1973. 

This award is given each year to an outstanding M.A. student, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Kendra Williams
2023 - Zane Willard
2022 - Bianca Siegenthaler
2021 - Spencer Margulies
2020 - Laura Mattson
2019 - Liahnna Stanley
2018 - Angela Candela
2017 - Erick Viera
2016 - Max Plumpton
2015 - Grace Peters
2014 - Ariane Anderson, Lisa Spinazola
2013 - Magdaline Southard
2012 - Kari Goetz
2011 - Amanda Hargen
2010 - Joanna Bartell
2009 - Dana Schowalter
2008 - Carolina Fernandez
2007 - Christopher McRae
2006 - Leslie Lorenx, Lisa Kuchta
2005 - Abby Arnold, Daniel Blaeuer
2004 - Elizabeth Edgecomb
2003 - Ann Marie Coats, Toni Steed
2002 - Kara Babbitt, Amy Harcar
2001 - Angela M. Day
2000 - Yasmin E. Forlenza
1999 - Penny Ann Phillips, William Jay Baglia
1998 - Bethany C. Goodier, Theresa M. Conrad
1997 - Elena C. Strauman
1996 - Tracy Marafiote
1995 - Jennifer L. Pickman
1994 - Linda Timmerman, Eleni Polopolus
1993 - Tamara Terpstra
1992 - Keith Cherry
1991 - Lori Peterson
1990 - Sandra Ruzycki Blanco
1989 - Paul Gramblin, Laura Sells
1988 - Pam Secklin Diercks
1987 - James Leidy
1986 - Kathleen Sturgis
1984 - Jim Lynch
1983 - Sharon Occhipinti
1982 - Ken Zagacki
1981 - Keith Macksey
1980 - Michael Garko, Ronald Spinka
1979 - Cheryl Chrisohon
1978 - Nancy Locke
1977 - Debbie Gloomis

The Arthur P. Bochner Award was created in 1991 as a tribute to Arthur P. Bochner, who served as Chairperson of the Department of Communication from July, 1985 to August, 1991; and again from August 1994 to August, 1996. Dr. Bochner was the force behind the development and implementation of the Communication Ph.D. program which enrolled its first students in the Fall semester 1990.

This award is given each year to an outstanding Ph.D. student, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - David Dooling
2023 - Parameswari Mukherjee
2022 - Beatriz Nieto Fernandez
2021 - Jonathan Baker
2020 - Marquese McFerguson
2019 - Elizabeth Hintz
2018 - Travis Bell, Amanda LeBlanc
2017 - Nancie Hudson, Meredith Clements
2016 - Lindy Davidson
2015 - Heather Curry, Nathan Hodges
2014 - Kristen Blinne
2013 - Patrick Dillion
2012 - Christopher Patti
2011 - Emily Ryalls
2010 - Daniel Blaeuer
2009 - Jillian Tullis Owen
2008 - Tony Adams, Andrew Herrmann
2007 - Robin Boylorn
2006 - Angela Day
2005 - Nigel Malcolm
2004 - Christine Davis, Deborah Walker
2003 - Cheyanne Vanderdonckt
2002 - William J. Baglia
2001 - Daniel Makagon, Elissa Foster
2000 - Laura L. Ellingson
1999 - Kimberly D. Golombisky
1998 - Zhong Wang
1997 - Alexandra G. Murphy
1996 - Lisa Tillmann-Healy, Janna Jones
1995 - Deborah A. Austin
1994 - Leanne Pupchek
1993 - Tim Simpson
1992 - Laura Sells

The Jennifer L. Pickman Award was created in 1998 to commemorate an undergraduate student in the department.

This award is given each year to an outstanding undergraduate student, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Fabiana Gomez
2023 - Danielle Williams
2022 - Ana Vidal
2021 -
2020 - Alexis Ingle
2019 - Danielle Moulton-Marcus
2018 - Carolyn Holland
2017 - Barbara Stanely
2016 - Brittany Schoen
2015 - Brooks Oglesby
2014 - Sunjay Armstead, Carrie Murawskie, Betsy Sunny, Shelby Swafford
2013 - Leah June, Melissa Miletic
2012 - Sean Lockhart, Cristin Cotton
2011 - Magdaline Southhard
2010 - Leslie Redfield
2009 - Sheena Garth
2008 - Amanda Hargen
2007 - Susan Harrison
2006 - Lindsay Doerr
2005 - Leila Jreisat
2004 - Ellie Weaver
2003 - Amanda Baker, Andrea Vafides
2002 - Dyma Musallam, Natalie Salmon
2001 - Michele Leach
2000 - Ann Marie Coats
1999 - Joy M. McVey
1998 - Karen N. Keene, Susan A. Sullivan

The Bernard Downs Spirit Award was created in 2007 to honor the contributions made by Professor Emeritus Barney Downs to the department. Dr. Downs is remembered for his contagious positivity and willingness to help all in the department.

This award is given each year to a graduate student who exemplifies community spirit and departmental citizenship, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Chazman McKoy
2023 - Josie Boumis
2022 - Jonathan Baker
2021 - Cayla Lanier
2020 - Sasha Sanders
2019 - Beatriz Nieto Fernandez
2018 - Ariane Anderson
2017 - Jacob Abraham
2016 - Krystal Bresnahan
2015 - Lisa Pia Zoni Spinazola
2014 - Jennifer Bender
2013 - Tasha Rennels
2012 - David Purnell, Ellen Klein
2008 - Jillian Tullis Owen

The Elias J. and Vivian Zrake Nader Award is given to an outstanding Undergraduate student with emphasis in rhetoric, performance, or cultural studies.

This award is given each year to an outstanding Undergraduate student, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Angela Peña
2023 - Sara Caggiano
2022 -
2021 -
2020 -
2019 - Jasmine Green
2018 -
2017 -
2016 - Rachel Kuoro
2015 -
2014 - Kemp

The Elias J. and Vivian Zrake Nader Award is given to an outstanding MA student with emphasis in rhetoric, performance, or cultural studies.

This award is given each year to an outstanding M.A. student, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Sydney Gilmore-Duffey
2023 - Zane Willard
2022 - 
2021 - Camille Ruiz Mangual
2020 -
2019 - Jessica Rauchberg
2018 - Erick Viera
2017 - Brooks Oglesby
2016 - Max Plumpton
2015 - Ashley Martinez
2014 - Aphrodite Kocieda
2013 - Megan Wood
2012 - Kari Goetz

The Graduate Teaching Assistant Outstanding Teacher Award is given to a graduate teaching assistant, who has shown excellence in teaching. 

This award is given each year to an outstanding graduate teaching assistant, as determined by the Department's Honors and Awards Committee from faculty nominations.

Past Winners:

2024 - Josephine Boumis
2023 - David Dooling
2022 - Michael McDowell
2021 - Sasha Sanders
2020 - Beatriz Nieto Fernandez (Bea)
2019 - Jaime Robb
2018 - Marquese McFerguson
2017 - Jacob Abraham
2016 - Erin Scheffels
2015 - Krystal Bresnahan
2014 - Heather Curry
2013 - Christopher Patti
2012 - Kristen Blinne, Patrick Dillon

The HUB Award is given to a faculty member for their contribution to graduating MA students' success.

This award is given each year to an faculty member, as determined by graduating MA students in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Steve Wilson
2023 - Steve Wilson
2022 - Joshua Scacco
2021 - Patrice Buzzanell
2020 - Ambar Basu
2019 - Ambar Basu
2018 - Rachel Dubrofsky
2017 - Ambar Basu
2014 - Aisha Durham

The Faculty Recognition Award is given to a faculty member for their dedication, commitment, and outstanding contribution to the graduate student community.

This award is given each year to a faculty member, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Ambar Basu
2023 - Ambar Basu
2022 - Ambar Basu
2021 - Rachel Dubrofsky
2020 - Aisha Durham
2019 - Aubrey Huber
2018 - Mariaelena Bartesaghi
2016 - Aubrey Huber, Abraham Khan
2015 - Ambar Basu
2014 - Mariaelena Bartesaghi
2013 - Jane Jorgenson
2012 - Mariaelena Bartesaghi
2011 - Ambar Basu
2010 - Stacy Holman Jones
2009 - Rachel Dubrofsky
2008 - Marcy Chvasta
2007 - Michael LeVan
2006 - Janna Jones
2005 - Marcy Chvasta
2004 - Carolyn Ellis
2003 - Stacy Holman Jones
2002 - Jane Jorgenson
2001 - David Payne
2000 - Elizabeth E. Bell 
1999 - Elizabeth E. Bell
1998 - Carolyn S. Ellis
1997 - David Payne
1996 - Arthur P. Bochner, Eric M. Eisenberg
1995 - Eric M. Eisenberg
1994 - Mark Neumann
1993 - Marcha L. Vanderford, Arthur P. Bochner
1992 - Marsha L. Vanderford
1991 - Marsha L. Vanderford, Mark Neumann
1990 - Michael Garko
1989 - David Payne
1988 - Marsha L. Vanderford

The Community Engagement Award recognizes a graduate student who works collaboratively with the community (be it local, departmental, university, disciplinary, or so on), to build and strengthen the USF communication community through their research, teaching, volunteer work, and/or service.

This award is given each year to an graduate student, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Jared Worwood
2023 - Chazman McKoy
2022 - Brianna Cusanno
2021 - Bria Cusanno
2020 - Jonathan Baker
2019 - Liahnna Stanely

The Departmental Service Award recognizes a graduate student who has performed outstanding departmental service and has made a significant contribution to the USF communication community.

This award is given each year to an graduate student, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Sarah Marshall
2023 - Josephine Boumis
2022 - Jonathan Baker
2021 - Camille Ruiz Mangual
2020 - LD Mattson
2019 - Jessica Rauchberg

The Peer Mentorship Award recognizes a student whose dedication and commitment to helping other students has made a positive impact on the USF student community.

This award is given each year to an graduate student, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Jonathan Baker
2023 - Kailin Regutti
2022 - Jonathan Baker
2021 - Camille Ruiz Mangual
2020 - Wesley Johnson
2019 - Marquese McFerguson, Jessica Montalvo

The Burgeoning Scholar Award recognizes a graduate student who consistently demonstrates a willingness to thoughtfully engage with course materials and encourages critical, productive, and innovative conversations with classmates.

This award is given each year to an graduate student, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Sidney Murray
2023 - David Dooling
2022 - Rana Elhendi, Spencer Margulies, Jared Worwood
2021 - Josie Boumis, Spencer Margulies
2020 - Timothy Betts
2019 - Sasha Sanders

The Anne Copeland "Turtledove" Award recognizes a student, faculty, or staff member who embodies the spirit and personality of the dearest Anne Copeland, namely someone who is warmhearted, encouraging, upholds a good sense of humor, perhaps belts a roaring laugh, and, serves as the "glue" of our department.

This award is given each year to an graduate student, as determined by the graduate student body in cooperation with the Graduate Communication Association (GCA).

Past Winners:

2024 - Kendra Williams
2023 - JT Johnson
2022 - Ambar Basu, Patrice Buzzanell
2021 - Bianca Siegenthaler
2020 - Patrice Buzzanell
2019 - Beatriz Nieto Fernandez
2018 - Jessica Montalvo
2017 - Makkeba Spears
2016 - Anne Copeland