Hello, [First Name]!

We in ISU’s School of Communication (COM) have published our 10th digital newsletter for alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the school. In this issue, the stories include:

The student writers, whose stories are the primary ones in this issue, Abbigail Arconati, Danielle Denning, Mia Garza, and Haley Roiland.

We publish this e-newsletter twice a year, and the team is staffed by students who also can work on other communication matters for the school. As with our previous issues, we look forward to keeping in contact better and more often with you.

If you have any story ideas for future issues or feedback about this issue, please contact me directly.

Go Redbirds! 

Peter M. Smudde, Ph.D., APR, Obl.OSB
Professor & Associate Executive Director
School of Communication
psmudde@ilstu.edu

professor at office desk with book

Illinois State University’s Center for Civic Engagement is a place for students, faculty, and community members to become informed, well-rounded, and engaged citizens.

Dr. Lindsey Thomas was named the recipient of the 2022 Leslie A. Baxter Early Career Award by the Family Communication Division of the National Communication Association (NCA).

headshot of Brian Little

Brian Little was honored with the Andrew Purnell Jr. Trailblazer Award.

Students walking in front of Fell Hall

Winning a national award is a pretty big deal, especially when there are over 1,600 entries from across the country in the various categories. That is exactly what Sydni Stoffregen did. Stoffregen, a mass media major focused on television production, won the “Best in Festival” award in the Student Script Writing Competition for the 2023

The outside of The Normal Theater located in Uptown Normal

It is that time of the year when students and teachers are wrapping up the final semester before summer. Their days are stressful, and it feels like they cannot get a break. Luckily, there is a free event coming to Normal that should relieve this stress.

Two male students walk from left to right on Illinois State University's Quad in front of Fell Hall, a brick building below a blue sky.

Illinois State University awarded its 2022 Outstanding University Teacher Awards, and two instructors in the School of Communication were recognized for their exemplary skill and dedication.

The 2023 staff of WZND Radio with Reggie Redbird and their new BEA Signature Station Banner at the second floor Atrium in Fell Hall.

For the fourth time, WZND Radio, Illinois State University’s student radio station, has won BEA’s Signature Station award. WZND Radio has won this award three times previously, and this award marks the third-consecutive year WZND received the award. The Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Signature Station award is an annual international contest to recognize the best

Vidette Building

The Vidette received a total of 13 awards at the 2023 Illinois College Press Association (ICPA) competition.

exterior of Fell Hall

Many of Illinois State University’s faculty and staff members were recognized by the Central States Communication Association (CSCA) for their achievements and awards.

Blooming trees in front of Moulton Hall

Shelby Limbach, a graduate student in the School of Communication, received the People Choice Award at the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT) competition at the College of Arts and Sciences level. 

Kate Boutilier

The 2023 Emerging Leader in Academic Advising Award was awarded to Kate Boutilier of Illinois State University’s School of Communication on March 1.

Two male students walk from left to right on Illinois State University's Quad in front of Fell Hall, a brick building below a blue sky.

COM Week 2023 will be held during the week of April 10.

illinois state bridge

Birds Give Back is Illinois State University’s annual campaign to gain support and donations from alumni.