On April 14, the School of Communication’s highest achieving undergraduate scholars were celebrated at the school’s annual Undergraduate Scholarship & Awards Ceremony. 

Kelly Garrett, director of the School of Communication, opened up the banquet, and chair of the school’s Advancement Board Chris Davey acknowledged the accomplishments of Jay Smith, recipient of the 2025 Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. 

Smith earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism in 1971 and served as president of Cox Newspapers, Inc. prior to his retirement. He currently resides in Atlanta, Georgia. For the past seven years, Smith has mentored the editors-in-chief of The Lantern, offering consistent support through weekly calls and valuable advice.

Top Communication Scholar was presented to Norah Hamil and Top Journalism Scholar was presented to Garrett Travers. These awards are presented to the top junior-level students who exhibited exceptional academic performance.

The Joseph S. Myers/Director’s Award–Top Communication Graduating Senior was awarded to Lindsay Romano. This award recognizes the top graduating senior in Communication and is given for outstanding scholarship and professional promise in the field.

The Robert F. Wolfe Journalism Honor Medal, the school’s oldest award, was awarded to Noah Weiskopf, sports editor of The Lantern. Established in 1918, this award is traditionally given to a senior journalism student.

The school appreciates all of the alumni donations that make this support for students possible. 

Alumni interested in helping the school fulfill its mission to make the next generation of communicators and communication scholars the best it can be can review donation opportunities.

The following students were honored with awards and scholarships for their outstanding academic and professional achievements:

Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award: Jay Smith

Bollinger-Kissell Scholarship: Jiaxu Ye

Marsha S. Bosley Memorial Scholarship: Audrey van Schagen

Michael V. DiSalle Scholarship: Ally Wolfe

William Drenten Memorial Scholarship: Connor Canfield

Charles W. Durfey Memorial Scholarship: Torrance Lang

Robert W. Ferguson Award for Excellence in Writing: Gracie Croy

John B. Fullen Scholarship: Carter Kohli

Lester C. Getzloe Memorial Scholarship: Reilly Cahill

William Randolph Hearst Scholarship: Julia Hart

Donald L. Kidwell Memorial Scholarship: Jolie Austin

George J. Kienzle Memorial Scholarship: Ryan Mathews

Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Recognition of New Members: Meghan Beery, Emma Dawson, Nicole Gianetta, Brooke Tacsar, Emma Wozniak

Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Top Scholar Award: Emma Wozniak

Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Paul V. Peterson Memorial Scholarship: Brooke Tascar

Brennan Family Award for Courageous Journalism: Sandra Fu

Patricia B. Miller Lantern Editor Position: Xiyonne McCullough

John R. Oller Lantern Editor Position: Madison Wallace

Robert F. Wolfe Journalism Honor Medal: Noah Weiskopf

Ann Mack Communication Technology Scholarship: Navika Kodali, Yihan Sun 

Judy Stewart Mesenburg Memorial Scholarship: Zaina Shaik

William H. Newton Memorial Scholarship: Ameera Rasoul

Ohio Newspaper Fund: Marissa Yang

James E. Pollard Memorial Scholarship: Eleanor Olack 

Robert K. Richards Memorial Scholarship: Madison Wallace

Robert E. Schaefer Scholarship: Izza Haq, Greta Miller, Paige Galperin

Hermanoff PRSSA/PRactice Leadership Award: Lindsay Romano, Jaqueline Roshetski

Walter W. Seifert Award: Aislin Daugherty

Joseph S. Myers/Director's Award-Top Comm Graduating Senior: Lindsay Romano

Stairway to Heaven Scholarship: Olivia Harden 

Marcy Hill Terry Memorial Scholarship: Claire Bowen Kunkler 

Paul Underwood Endowment Scholarship: Trevor Voigt

Bill Zipf 4-H Scholarship: Delaney Kerstetter

George E. Hammond Scholarship in Communication: Mason Jarrell, Sara Sharp, Ashlee Sizemore

Top Scholar Award- Communication: Norah Hamil 

Top Scholar Award- Journalism: Garret Travers