On April 20, the School of Communication hosted its annual Undergraduate Scholarship & Awards Ceremony to celebrate the achievements of nearly 40 students through awards and scholarship recognition. The school welcomed students, family members, faculty and alumni as it awarded more than $100,000 in scholarships.

School of Communication Director Kelly Garrett and the school’s Advancement Committee Chair Chris Davey opened the ceremony and recognized alumna Bruce Vilanch with the Distinguished Alumni of the Year Award. Vilanch studied journalism and theater at Ohio State and is a two-time Emmy Award-winner best known for work at the Oscars, supplying one-liners to hosts and presenters for more than two decades.

Top Communication Scholar was awarded to Paige Galperin and the Top Journalism Scholar was awarded to Marissa Yang. These awards are given to students who are the top junior-rank students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement. The Director’s Award for Achievement for the top senior majoring in communication went to Norah Hamil.

The Robert F. Wolfe Journalism Honor Medal, the school’s oldest award, was presented to Mason Jarrell. 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: Bruce Vilanch
• Sheldon M. Berman Memorial Scholarship: Blake Bennett
• Marsha S. Bosley Memorial Scholarship: Reilly Cahill
• Dan and Peg Brown Scholarship: Gabe Eaker 
• Michael V. DiSalle Scholarship: Layla Azmoun
• William M. Drenten Memorial Scholarship: Evelyn Gu
• Charles W. Durfey Memorial Scholarship: Reegan Davis
• Robert W. Ferguson Award for Excellence in Writing: Audrey Williams
• John B. Fullen Scholarship: Free Redmon 
• Lester C. Getzloe Memorial Scholarship: Conner Neeley
• William Randolph Hearst Foundation Scholarship: Carter Kohli 
• Donald L. Kidwell Memorial Scholarship: Greta Miller
• George J. Kienzle Memorial Scholarship: Madelayne Lee
• Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Inductees: Mariam Abaza, Nora Igelnik, Garret Travers 
• Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Top Scholar Award: Nora Igelnik 
• Kappa Tau Alpha (KTA) Paul V. Peterson Scholarship: Garret Travers 
• Brennan Family Award for Courageous Journalism: Xiyonne McCullough 
• Robert F. Wolfe Journalism Honor Medal: Mason Jarrell
• Ann Mack Communication Technology Scholarship: Navika Kodali, Evangeline Chloe Limputra 
• William H. Newton Memorial Scholarship: Ally Wolfe 
• Ohio Newspaper Fund Award: Aislin Daugherty
• James E. Pollard Memorial Scholarship: Izzie Schario 
• Robert K. Richards Memorial Scholarship: Ellie Kulberg 
• Robert E. Schaefer Scholarship: Ashlynn Hanlin, Izza Haq, Mia Ross
• Hermanoff PRSSA/PRactice Leadership Award: Erin Estocin, Mackenzie Smith
• Walter W. Seifert Award: Caitlin Davis
• Director’s Award-Top Comm Graduating Senior: Norah Hamil 
• Stairway to Heaven Scholarship: Julia Hart
• The Paul Underwood Scholarship: Nadia Somerville
• The Marcy Hill Terry Memorial Scholarship: Hawa Kane 
• The George E. Hammond Scholarship in Communication: Amina Dahir, Olivia Harden, Sophia Reynolds 
• Top Scholar Communication: Paige Galperin
• Top Scholar Journalism: Marissa Yang