School of Communications Takes Top Honors

Debra Carpenter, dean of Webster University's School of Communications, today announced several honors and awards recently received by various individuals and programs within the school.

"It is my honor to share the exciting news of such an outstanding weekend of public recognition for the students and faculty of the School of Communications," said Carpenter. These award winners have brought fame and honor to themselves, the School of Communications and to Webster University."

The awards received are as follows:

The Ampersand student magazine won the top national award for general excellence in collegiate feature magazines, the Pacemaker, at the annual Associated Collegiate Press (ACP) National College Media Convention in Austin, Texas. Karen Burch, adjunct professor of communications and journalism; last year's editors Elizabeth Miller and Anthony Hagan; and this year's editors Emily Schmutz and Alice Telios, submitted the entries and accepted the Pacemaker award, along with several Golden Circle specific category awards. For more information on awards won by The Ampersand staff go to: http://www.studentpress.org/acp/winners/mpm09.html

At the same national conference, The Journal student newspaper won third place in overall Best in Show among weekly collegiate newspapers. Last year's editor, Nikole Brown; this year's editor, Kelly Kendall; and General Manager Jim Rodenbush submitted the entries and accepted the award. The paper also won Honorable Mention in the Spot News Picture category.

Also at ACPS meeting, Don Corrigan, professor of communications and journalism, was given the Distinguished Newspaper Adviser Award for four-year colleges and universities recognizing his nearly unprecedented 31 years of active service in this capacity. Last month Corrigan also won the Best Outdoors Story for weekly newspapers in Missouri and placed second in the state for Best Religion Story in the Missouri Press Association's (MPA) annual awards banquet. His community newspaper, The Webster-Kirkwood Times, placed second in the state for Best OnLine News Site at the MPA event.

Larry Baden, associate professor communications and journalism, received the Emerson Excellence in Teaching award at a ceremony yesterday afternoon honoring St. Louis area teachers for their commitment, dedication and quality in the classroom.

Kristen DiFate, assistant professor of communications and journalism, received a scholarship from the Associated Press Managing Editors (APME) for her contributions to the APME conference recently held in St. Louis.