2021 School of Communication Student Award Winners
The School of Communication recognized several outstanding students during its annual awards ceremony held April 14, 2022.
Principles of Communication
Olive M. Hilliard Speech Award
- London Blackwell
First-Year Writing
WriteOn Essay Award
- 1st place: Kyla Anderson
- 1st runner up: Jesus Fernandez
- 2nd runner up: Heavenlee Mitchell
Ink Wire Essay Award
- 1st place: Shelley Wieburg
- 1st runner up: Andre Walker
- 2nd runner up: Aidan O. Lemley
Public Relations
Client’s Choice Award for Best Intro to PR Plan 2021
- Paitin Baker
- Eliza Ball
- Sarah Lunsford
PR Pro’s Choice Award for Outstanding Mock News Conference
- Dalton James
- Grace Lee
- C.J. Parrish
- Jayce Burney
Client’s Choice Award for Best Capstone PR Plan 2021
- Rylee Bolls
- Emily Dye
- Megan Franklin
- Aurora King
Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) Member of the Year
- Hannah Phillips
Alma O. Corley Award for Outstanding Student in Public Relations
- Riley Neil
Communication
Glenn D. Smith Outstanding Student in Communication
- Gregory Warren
Journalism
Harry S. Ashmore Outstanding Journalism Award
- Addison Freeman
Outstanding Online Student
- ViviAnne Flora
Outstanding Broadcast Student
- Brett Walker
Outstanding Print Student
- Addison Freeman
Writing
Joanna Castner Post Outstanding Writing Major Award
- Miriam Phwandaphwanda
Up-and-Coming Writing Major
- Will McDonald
Best Scholarly Essay
- Cameron Steed
Best Multimodal Project
- Addison Richman
Best Community Engagement Project
- Lexi Bratton
- Aylssa Rieman
- Drew Weld
Gardner, Brown selected for inaugural Global Learning Institute
Adriian Gardner, senior lecturer of communication, and Dr. Riva Brown, associate professor of public relations, were among 10 UCA faculty members selected for the inaugural Global Learning Institute scheduled for June 17, 2021.
This year’s focus will be Collaborative Online International Learning, or COIL. The Office of International Engagement is working with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Academic Leadership to add a COIL unit into an existing class in fall 2021 or spring 2022.
2021 SoC student award winners named
The School of Communication recognized several outstanding students during its annual awards ceremony held via Zoom on Tuesday, April 13, 2021.
Principles of Communication
Olive M. Hilliard Speech Showcase
- Nicole Vincent, first place
- Lamar Williams, second place
- Joanna Arechiga, third place
First-Year Writing
Write-On Contest
- Jaden Fleeks, first place
- Ari Long, first runner up
- Maya Giuffria, second runner up
InkWire Research Contest
- Aurora King, first place
- Maja Gledic, first runner up
- Lona Ceccherini, second runner up
Communication
Glenn D. Smith Outstanding Student in Communication Award
- Jamaal Lockings
Journalism
Harry S. Ashmore Outstanding Student in Journalism Award
- Lauren McLemore
Outstanding Broadcasting Student
- Austin Ashley
Outstanding Online Student
- Alyssa Sparks
Public Relations
Alma O. Corley Outstanding Student in Public Relations Award
- Jamaal Lockings
Public Relations Student Society of America Member of the Year- University of Central Arkansas Chapter
- Shay Box
Client’s Choice Award for Best Capstone PR Plan, Fall 2020
- Spencer Casavechia, Ethan Dolan, Payton Hamric, Amelia Mackey and Rachel White
- Client: Dolly Parton Imagination Library
Client’s Choice Award for Best Introduction to Public Relations Plan, Spring 2020
- Mia Burrell, Mary Buddenberg, Lola Simmons and Nate Fielder
- Client: Conway Men’s Chorus
Client’s Choice Award for Best Introduction to Public Relations Plan, Fall 2020
- Hannah Phillips
- Client: School of Communication
PR Pro’s Choice Award for Public Relations Techniques Best Mock News Conference, Spring 2021
- Callie Ketcher, Morgan Trent
Writing
Joanna Castner Post Outstanding Student in Writing Award
- Emily Dye
Up-and-Coming Major
- Katy Reagan
Best Multimodal Project
- Anna Van, Kaitlyn Bannon, Brandon Donaldson
Best Community Engagement Project
- Harrison Hite, Kyrece Lasker, Greta Hacker
Best Scholarly Essay
- Greta Hacker
UCA Debate and Forensics Finishes its Virtual Season
UCA Debate and Forensics concluded its 2020-21 season by competing at the IPDA National Championship on April 9-11. Members of the team include seniors David Lee, Greta Hacker, Lauren McHenry, and Eli Stroud; junior Adam Cox; and sophomores Jayce Burney, Sian Fox, Aurora King, and C.J. Parrish. Additional support was provided by Nicole Vincent, Gavin Mattox, and Isaiah Williams. The team is coached by Associate Professor of Business Law and Director of Forensics Anthony McMullen.
At the Championship, Varsity debaters Lee and Parrish both reached the elimination rounds with a 6-2 preliminary round record. Both were eliminated in the octafinals. Varsity debater Burney barely missed the elimination rounds with a 4-4 record. In addition, at the Team IPDA portion of the event, which took place March 27-28, the team of Burney and Parrish reached the quarterfinal round.
For the season, UCA Debate and Forensics finished sixth in the Varsity division and eighth and the Team IPDA division. The team of Burney and Parrish finished ninth in the Team IPDA division. Burney finished tied for 15th in the Varsity division. Lee finished in 19th place, and Parrish, Hacker, and McHenry all placed within the top 30 competitors in the division.
These accolades are in addition to those earned through the semester. Most prominent is UCA Debate and Forensics repeating as Arkansas State Champion at the Southern Forensics Championship last January. Cox was the Arkansas Champion and overall tournament runner-up in the Varsity IPDA division. Burney was a varsity IPDA semifinalist and took second in the individual overall sweepstakes. Parrish was recognized as the top Arkansas speaker in the Varsity IPDA division, the Arkansas Champion in impromptu speaking, and placed third in the individual overall sweepstakes. Lee was the Arkansas Champion in extemporaneous speaking and poetry interpretation.
The team will be having its final meeting of the semester on Monday, April 19 to discuss plans for next year. While the team appreciated having a virtual forum to compete this year, it looks forward to returning to travel in the 2021-22 season. The goal will be to travel to at least four events each semester, concluding with the 2022 IPDA National Championship, which will be hosted by Abilene Christian University. Those interested in joining the team should contact any member of team or Director McMullen at AMcMullen@uca.edu.