The School of Communication is proud to recognize five exemplary students with the 2023 “Outstanding Senior” award—an honor given to the top student(s) in each COM major.
Congratulations to David Allen (communication studies), Miriam Wolff (communication studies), Elizabeth Urban (journalism), Maddy Artman (mass media), and Kyah Joseph (public relations).
“Each of our outstanding seniors this year have demonstrated an excellent commitment to the School of Communication. They have advanced the school’s mission in important ways, and I am thrilled to see them excel after graduation. They make us all proud to be Redbirds,” said Dr. Stephen Hunt, director of the School of Communication.
Meet this year’s recipients:
David Allen, Communication Studies
What has been your favorite memory during your tenure in the School of Communication?
“My favorite memory definitely has to be making fun social media videos for TikTok and Instagram (specifically interviewing students). I’ve really enjoyed being on the social media team this past semester.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I plan on singing and performing in my alternative rock band, UNCHAiNED (who performed at Reggie’s Tailgate Homecoming 2022). This summer we are opening for Everclear and Lit on tour.”
What has been your favorite class in the School of Communication?
“My favorite class has been COM 334: Film Festival Management & Curation. We get to watch movies and curate a film festival put on by Illinois State University students.”
Who has been your favorite COM instructor?
“Dr. Lance Lippert.”
What advice do you have for incoming COM Redbirds?
“Get involved in a club, intramural leagues, go to the Rec, intern, etc. Experience as much and try as many things as you can! You will never find your passion if you don’t try.”
Miriam Wolff, Communication Studies
What has been your favorite memory during your tenure in the School of Communication?
“Some of my warmest memories were spending time with my COM friends outside of class studying at Milner library.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“This coming fall, I will be pursuing my master’s in communication at ISU. I have also accepted the honor of a GTA position and will be teaching a COM 110 class.”
What has been your favorite class in the School of Communication?
“My favorite class was Theory and Research in Interpersonal Communication (taught by Dr. Aimee Miller-Ott)—I have never learned so much about myself and the relationships around me.”
Who has been your favorite COM instructor?
“Dr. John Baldwin.”
What advice do you have for incoming COM Redbirds?
“Live slowly and take everything in. It will be tempting to rush through things, but it already passes by so fast. Treat people gently even when it’s hard—you’ll make friendships in the most unexpected places.”
Elizabeth Urban, Journalism
What has been your favorite memory during your tenure in the School of Communication?
“My favorite memory has been traveling to the Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) conference in Chicago with The Vidette. It has been so interesting to learn more about the professional world of journalism, as well as bond with and honor fellow student journalists for the hard work they’ve put in.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“Right now, I am in the process of applying to different jobs, but I hope to go into news reporting or producing after graduation.”
What has been your favorite class in the School of Communication?
“My favorite class in the SOC has been Community News with Dr. Megan Hopper. It was very cool to pick a specific angle and interview different members of the community to see how it has affected them, to then put it all together on our own news site that we made in class.”
Who has been your favorite COM instructor?
“Dr. Megan Hopper has been such a fun professor to have in class. Coming from prior newsroom experience, she can really tie in the coursework to how it’s going to affect us later on when we’re no longer in a classroom.”
What advice do you have for incoming COM Redbirds?
“My biggest piece of advice to incoming freshman is to get involved. The School of COM offers so many different amazing student organizations for you to try out your future profession on a smaller level, from student media outlets like The Vidette, TV-10, and WZND, to RSOs like PRSSA and Women in Communications. As great as our classes are, nothing teaches you better than hands-on experience. I’ve learned so much from my time in student media—it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be here without them!”
Maddy Artman, Mass Media
What has been your favorite memory during your tenure in the School of Communication?
“Spending time with my friends and fellow classmates in the post-production room while working on the newscast for TV-10 every week.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“I hope to work in post-production for a production company!”
What has been your favorite class in the School of Communication?
“COM 319: Motion Graphics and Visual Effects.”
Who has been your favorite COM instructor?
“Steve Suess.”
What advice do you have for incoming COM Redbirds?
“Don’t be afraid to try something new. I never thought I’d be a director at a radio station, and I love it!”
Kyah Joseph, Public Relations
What has been your favorite memory during your tenure in the School of Communication?
“My favorite memory is definitely getting to be in the Homecoming parade. Even though the first year it happened on accident, it was a lot of fun and a core memory for me and the other SOCPD members.”
What are your plans after graduation?
“After graduation I plan to continue doing work in the School of Communication in some capacity.”
What has been your favorite class in the School of Communication?
“My favorite class was COM 390: Race and Visual Rhetoric, because I got to explore communication from a photojournalism perspective, and I now look at photos with a newfound meaning.”
Who has been your favorite COM instructor?
“I don’t think I can single out just one professor! I loved working with Dr. Carpenter, Dr. Craig, Dr. Reed, Sarah Hall, and Jenifer Milligan.”
What advice do you have for incoming COM Redbirds?
“My advice for incoming freshmen is to get involved in everything you see. The experiences you can get in the School of Communication are unlike any others. Tell your professors about your future career aspirations because they will help you reach those goals.”
Congratulations to the School of Communication’s 2023 outstanding seniors. We are Redbird proud of you all!
