Each year’s commencement allows us to acknowledge the students who’ve worked so hard and accomplished so much in the brief four (OK, maybe five) years they’ve been at Loyola. During our annual SMC Spring Fiesta, held each April, and at May’s College of Social Sciences honors convocation we take time to honor those who’ve excelled in their endeavors and brought even greater recognition to the School of Mass Communication. This year we applaud the accomplishments of these mass comm students:
Michelle Gingras, winner of the A. Louis Read Award for Outstanding Electronic Media Student, given in memory of Read, Class of ’37, in hope that the recipient will be inspired to emulate both his successful career and his extraordinary record of service to Loyola and to the community.
Masako Melissa Hirsch, who took home several awards: the R. Tom Bell Award for Outstanding Journalism Student; the Bonomo Award for the Outstanding School of Mass Communication Student; and the Kappa Tau Alpha Top Scholar Award for highest grade point average in the School.
Kylie Tregre and John Bickle, winners of the School of Mass Communication Faculty’s Outstanding Advertising Student Award.
Kate Gremillion, the School of Mass Communication Faculty’s Outstanding Public Relations Student Award.
Kevin Zansler, the School of Mass Communication Faculty’s Outstanding Photojournalism Student Award.
Angela Hernandez, winner of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Outstanding Graduating Chapter Member Award.
Kimberly Kolb Aguillard, the Public Relations Student Society of America Outstanding Graduating Chapter Member Award.
Cristina Chiu, the Ad Club of Loyola Outstanding Graduating Chapter Member Award.
Xavier Mantica, the Radio Television Digital News Association Outstanding Graduating Chapter Member Award.
Diedre Gallagher, the Shawn M. Donnelley Center for Nonprofit Communications Outstanding Student Award, for the student who has contributed most to the success of the Donnelley Center.
Carl Harrison , the Nia Renee Roberston Memorial Award, which is presented to a mass comm student from the New Orleans area who stands out in their determination to succeed.
The SMC also inducted new members into the Loyola chapter of Kappa Tau Alpha, the national honor society in Journalism and Mass Communication: Alexandra Broussard, Vanny Zelaya, Paige Hendricks, Madie Robison, Zainya Aziz, Danielle Latimer and Lauren Irwin.
