2025 Honors Convocation

Madeleine Robinson Memorial Award

Presented to a student who is active in community service; established in 1975 by the husband of Madeleine Robinson, a 1959 graduate who died at an early age and was beloved for her community activities in the Aurora, Illinois, area

Katherine Dean Horton

Kate is an accomplished theatre artist who demonstrates excellence across multiple disciplines including directing, playwriting, and stage management—all through a social justice lens. Kate has served as a StuCo leader and a peer mentor for students in the theatre department’s first-year design and management course. Her work consistently demonstrates exceptional quality and commitment.

Robert M. Cumnock Scholarship

Awarded to an outstanding first-year student; honors Robert M. Cumnock—a performer and teacher who believed oratory was an art, not a science—who in 1878 founded Northwestern’s School of Oratory, now the School of Communication, and was responsible for the construction of Annie May Swift Hall

Nikash Khanna

Nikash is a standout student and filmmaker with an aptitude for cinematic storytelling. He creates work with a clear sense of narrative craft and style yet is still constantly striving to grow in his form. Even as a first-year student in RTVF, Nikash’s work is already visual, fresh, and engaging in its storytelling. His distinct and unique cinematic voice is one to watch in the years to come.

Ralph B. Dennis Scholarship

Presented to an exceptional sophomore; honors Ralph Dennis, dean of the school from 1913 until his retirement in 1942, who oversaw a period of exponential growth and whose vitality and personal style in interacting with students made the school unique

Cessa Lewis

Cessa Lewis is an exceptional performance studies sophomore who brings a contagious enthusiasm for discovery, collective flourishing, and the power of performance. Cessa is a leader in the community and serves as the PS undergraduate student representative and centers the work on creating a welcoming campus climate and fostering opportunities for dialogue and mutual understanding. Cessa has maintained a stellar record in academics and is deeply committed to the power of theatre and live performance as sites of truth and transformation, be it with the Blackout, the Camerata choir, or the Prague Shakespeare program.

James H. McBurney Scholarship

Awarded to an outstanding junior; honors James McBurney, dean of the school from 1942 to 1972, under whose leadership it achieved widespread recognition, while the school structure reinforced cohesion among its disciplines

Brookelyn Louise Slonaker

Brookelyn demonstrates the highest levels of research excellence and integrates this with her passion for community engagement. She has become a research leader in the Pediatric Speech Technologies and Acoustics Research Lab, presenting a poster at the national ASHA conference, co-authoring a paper, and leading a team of students. She and the lab are active in many community projects, and when she isn’t learning about other cultures or promoting ecological practices at Northwestern, she might be crocheting clothing to donate through Knitwestern.

Roy V. Wood Scholarship

Awarded to an outstanding senior; honors Roy Wood, dean of the school from 1972 to 1987, whose door was always open to students and whose tenure saw marked growth in the size of the school, major gains in physical facilities, and advancement in the quality of teaching, research, and creative activity

Annika Anandsongkit

Annika Anandsongkit is a standout student with exceptional organization and marketing skills. Faculty praise her analytical and writing talents, as well as her ability to take class conversations “beyond the readings.” Annika has demonstrated leadership through her roles as a Comm Studies Student Ambassador, marketing head for Indigo Social Club, and the Comm Studies digital media strategist. Her professional experience include internships at Arc Worldwide, Packed with Purpose, and AnyMind Group, where she excelled in market research, social media strategy, and client relations. Fluent in English and Thai, Annika has a range of interests including sustainability, scuba diving, creative writing, graphic design, and music.

Zeta Phi Eta Award

Awarded to a continuing graduate student, or to an outstanding junior or senior who will remain at Northwestern to pursue a master’s degree, who has demonstrated excellence in communication arts or sciences as well as strong scholarship, exemplary character, talent, and leadership ability exemplifying the organization’s motto, “Achieve! With Wisdom, Integrity, and Love”; presented by Zeta Phi Eta, a national professional fraternity in communication arts and sciences and the oldest national group of its kind, founded at Northwestern University in 1893

David Diouf

David demonstrates a clear understanding of the creative process and the value of collaboration while consistently seeking out opportunities for feedback and growth—in addition to landing some coveted filmmaking grants. He has expanded his technical skills, emerging as an ambitious young director, all while maintaining a notable acting career and excelling academically. His interpersonal abilities are exceptional—he is kind, curious, funny, and inclusive, with a rare ability to make others feel welcomed and valued. These qualities have helped him rise to leadership positions in organizations such as the Multicultural Filmmakers Collective and Black Screens.

Lucia Wiant Award

Awarded to a student who has shown outstanding academic or artistic growth in the communication arts and sciences

Martine Fiore

Martine is an active member of the CSD department, pursuing her interest in audiology via her role as philanthropy chair in the Northwestern chapter of the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA) and work in the Auditory Research Lab. She has become a well-respected leader and has advocated for professional development opportunities for her classmates.

Marsha P. Johnson Award

Awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who has shown leadership and/or advanced conversations around LGBTQ+ issues through their scholarly work, teaching, or research

Petra Popper-Freedman

Petra Popper-Freedman is a senior at Northwestern and a comedian and writer from New York City. Experienced in stand-up, she was a finalist in the 2024 New York Queer Comedy Festival. She was selected to be part of the Pritzker Pucker Studio Lab cohort, where she created a comedic short film that was included in the Chicago CineYouth Festival. She also served as head writer for two years at Northwestern’s premiere late night show, the Blackout, for which she wrote and directed a short that won Best Comedic Music Video at the PLC Comedy Film Festival. An outstanding student, she was also a finalist for the Fletcher Prize for Rising Undergraduate Research Star.

Burton and Karol Lefkowitz Prize

Awarded to an undergraduate student who has demonstrated leadership capabilities through civic engagement, community service, or other projects designed to improve society or advance social change. One recipient chosen from each of the School’s three divisions: Theatre, Dance and Performance Studies; Communication Studies and RTVF; and Communication Sciences & Disorders.

(Division I)

Kennedy Naseem

Kennedy is an actress and director who has performed in multiple StuCo music theatre productions. She serves as co-chair of the Native American and Indigenous Student Alliance and recently directed a staged reading of From the Old Wood Forest by Sierra Rosetta (Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe Nation) at the Newberry Library. The reading, which featured both professional Equity actors and Northwestern University students, demonstrated Kennedy’s excellent directing abilities.

(Division II)

Glenna Wang

Glenna Wang is an exceptional student and dedicated community member. Glenna has demonstrated strong analytical and communication skills through various projects, including developing marketing plans and conducting data analysis. Faculty praise her creativity and ability to combine classroom learning with real-world experiences, which includes internships at Verizon and Campus Ink. Additionally, Glenna has contributed to research projects at the SONIC Research Group and has been actively involved in student theatre as a scenic designer. She is proficient in data analysis, project management, and graphic design, and is passionate about marketing, business, and creative endeavors.

(Division III)

Kaleigh Medlow

Kaleigh’s work, research, and volunteering excellence are rooted in her commitment to supporting young children’s development—an effort that extends up to and including her fellow students’ civic engagement. She maintains a major leadership role in Jumpstart—an organization created to improve children’s learning outcomes—committing over 300 hours per year. She completed a competitive NSF-funded summer research opportunity at Standford on dialect in children’s media. At Northwestern, she is active as a fellow within the Center for Civic Engagement and in the National Student Speech-Language-Hearing Association (NSSLHA).

Galbut Outstanding Faculty Award

Presented to a faculty member who has been outstanding in teaching and in efforts to engage students both inside and outside the classroom; selected from outstanding faculty members nominated by School of Communication students; established by the Galbut family

Jeanette Ortiz

Jeanette Ortiz is a clinical assistant professor, assistant dean of undergraduate programs and advising, and an academic advisor for communication sciences and disorders. Jeanette in each capacity centers her students, celebrates their strengths, and does everything possible to ensure they’re on the pathway to success. One student nominator says that she “creates an open and trusting environment” and ensures that the students “feel seen” by supporting their work and hobbies outside of the classroom. Another student, whom Jeanette coached through a particularly challenging topic, says “Dr. Ortiz remains a professor who was not only a great teacher of concepts but that professor that was incredibly approachable and made me more comfortable asking for help in my future studies.” Yet another student credits Jeanette’s handling of the CSD 110 course in compelling them to switch into the human communication sciences major. Yet another praised her “unwavering support” that guided them through “pivotal moments, setbacks, and personal challenges, always making me feel heard, understood, and encouraged.” And finally, Jeanette, “brings joy, wisdom, and generosity to all who have the privilege of learning from her.

Clarence Simon Awards for Outstanding Teaching and Mentoring

Annually recognizes outstanding School of Communication teachers and mentors—one in each of the school’s three divisions (division I, theatre and performance studies; division II, radio/ television/film and communication studies; and division III, communication sciences and disorders)— based on nominations by students and faculty; honors Clarence Simon, who served the school as an outstanding teacher and administrator for many years

(Division I)

Amanda Dehnert

Amanda Dehnert is an associate professor of theatre and a prolific director of shows in Chicago and well beyond. One alum says, “Amanda Dehnert’s sturdy wisdom, commitment to embodied experience, and ability to teach practices that last not only for a quarter but for life have built for me a bedrock of confidence, values, and dynamism.” A student recalled a callback in which Amanda walked onstage to talk to them “human to human,” at which they were “immediately struck by how concise, perceptive, and interactive she was with me”—thus shattering their expectation that college theatre professors would be cold and distant. Another student notes her “unwavering dedication to mentorship,” noting that “she makes time for her students, engaging in discussions that transcend the confines of the classroom.” Empathetic, funny, and genuine, Amanda taught one student that every one of her classes is an “opportunity for growth and exploration without pressure, aside from the expectation that we empower ourselves.” Lastly, one states: “Her expertise and perspective were a constant source of inspiration for all of us, and I can honestly say that my own understanding of the field deepened tremendously through her guidance.”

(Division II)

Kyle Henry

Kyle Henry is an associate professor of RTVF, head of student production, and an award-winning filmmaker. One alum and mentee says, “Kyle takes his role as an educator and mentor as seriously as he takes his own artistic practice, and his commitment to excellent pedagogy is unmatched.” The alum continues that he is a “model example of a working artist who channels his gift to help others achieve their dreams.” Another alum says, “Without Professor Henry, I may not have achieved this level of self-actualization and belief in myself as an artist.” Another alum says, “He approaches his role with profound equity, kindness, and generosity. He has been exemplary in supporting me—first as a student and later as a peer in the industry.” Another states, “I hold Professor Henry in the highest regard. To me, he is inspiring, compassionate, honest, patient and creatively brilliant.” And finally, one adds, “I hope that if I’m able to become a professor myself one day, I can have the same kind of relationships with my students that I’ve been fortunate enough to have with Professor Henry—relationships where I am open and generous with my time and knowledge and can help support turning their dreams into reality.”

(Division III)

Jason Sanchez

Jason Sanchez is an associate professor of communication sciences and disorders, a fellow of the Hugh Knowles Center, and a leading researcher in the functioning and development of the auditory system. “Professor Sanchez belongs to that rare category of educators whose passion for teaching is visibly contagious,” says one student. “His enthusiasm for audiology radiates through every lecture, making complex concepts accessible and engaging.” In tackling such challenging topics as electrophysiology, one student noted, “I will never forget the genuine care and passion he showed as I expressed my interest in expanding my knowledge and am incredibly grateful for his grace in this learning process.” Another student says, “Professor Sanchez has inspired me to approach everything that I do with the same passion and dedication he brings to his field and in the classroom.” And in closing, a student notes: “He is, without a doubt, one of the most dedicated, brilliant, compassionate, and inspiring professors I have ever had the privilege of learning from.”

Departmental Excellence Award for Undergraduate Students

• Lili Bannister
• Jaquelin Cantu Balmaceda
• Victor Criollo
• Ellen Darmstadter
• Yijin Dong
• Hui Feng
• Sophia Gambill
• Autumn Grieb
• Karyme Hernandez
• Claire Kim
• Kumiko Long
• Aysha Menk
• Emma Miller
• Maya Page
• Mira Patel
• Julianne Zane

Departmental Book Award for Undergraduate Students

• Barbara Burns
• Lynette Suk

Lois L. Elliott Book Award

Presented to an undergraduate human communication sciences major who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement; named in honor of former professor Lois L. Elliott, founder of the Human Communication Sciences Program, who died in 1995

• Nadia van den Berg

Departmental Excellence Award for Undergraduate Students

Presented to recognize exemplary academic performance, distinctive contributions to the department, and shining representation of the School of Communication

• Blessing Agyare
• Harper Barnowski
• Cydney Brown
• Kalista Cao
• Madeline Chai
• Ruby Chao
• Julia Chu
• Aniya Cooks
• Andrew Daniels
• Sophie Fuentecilla
• Cai He
• Elisa Huang
• Juliana Hung
• Rose Hunskor
• Erin Jeon
• Emily Jung
• Joyce Ma
• Melina Mehta
• Muse Miao
• Claire Moon
• Sophia Paley
• Brigid Reilly
• Shelly Alexandra Rood Kelner
• Ellen Schnur
• Serena Song
• Cynthia Wang
• Elise Yee

Department Honors for Undergraduate Theses

Katie Cummins
Coal, Culture, and Neostalgia: Reframing Industrial Heritage Identities for a Just Transition

Andrew Daniels
Trust Falls: Analyzing Trust in Science as a Moderator of the Boundaries of Source Credibility in Contentious Scientific Contexts

Brigid Reilly
Heated over Climate Change: An Exploration into Persuasive Appeals within Climate Change TikToks

Mary Peterson Gilbert Prize

Awarded annually for excellence in speaking; established in 1955 by the husband of School of Communication alumna Mary Peterson Gilbert, who was praised by school founder Robert Cumnock as one of the most gifted readers in the country

• Annabeth Lundberg

George M. Sargent Awards

Presented to the first-year, second-year, junior, and senior students with the best records in their regular course of study; honors the memory of George M. Sargent, a member of the class of 1915

First-Year

• Tzu-Yu Chou
• Ethan Silver

Second-Year

• Aranza Noriega
• Hanna Schiciano
• Hadley Timmermann

Junior

• Lucy Rubin
• Ashlyn Wang

Senior

• Lena Huang
• Evelyn Jenkins

Departmental Excellence Award for Undergraduate Students

Awarded to recognize undergraduates who have produced exceptional work in the areas of production and scholarly writing

• Charlotte Admokom
• Avalon Bookstaver
• Paris Bozzuti
• Lee Ekong
• Naomi Galotto
• Kylie Hu
• Nicholas Kapp
• Kyra Lesmerises
• Patricia Liu
• Andrew Mikhail
• Efrén Ponce
• Angelina Randazzo
• George Segress
• Sarah Tomeo
• Aidan Venneman

Bindley Film Production Award

Established by Bill (C84) and Scott (C88) Bindley to fund the annual production of student films

• Sydney MacGilvray
• Evelyn Mazariego
• Ariel Paul
• Ainslie Wilson

Max Saines Grant

Max Saines (RTVF 2013) was a beloved member of the Northwestern community and a proud Studio 22 alum. Max passed away in June of 2019 and is remembered by many for his work at Northwestern, Endeavor Content, and beyond. He fostered a spirit of collaboration by bringing people together to make their creative dreams a reality, and we hope to do the same with this grant. In his honor, this grant will be offered yearly to a writer/director team with a shared vision for a unique narrative short film. This grant is made possible by Emily Gerson Saines (SOC 1986) and Andy Saines, Max’s parents.

• Leo Kurland
• Shahzeb Shah

WNUR Willis L. Butler Leadership Award

Presented to a student who has shown strong leadership in furthering WNUR; sponsored by the WNUR alumni organization

• Maddie Coyle
• Jon Myers

Department Honors for Undergraduate Theses

Melanie Ahn
Asian American Dining Tables

Alena Haney
More to Learn

Mark Park
Call Me Eris

Departmental Excellence Award for Undergraduate Students

Recognizes selected students from all four undergraduate classes with strong academic records and outstanding records in theatre production and design

First-Year

• Shea Frimmer
• Nora Mary Hubert
• Seidy Pichardo
• Casper M. Wong

Second-Year

• Azalea Brown
• Grace Demarest
• Oscar Giles
• Mila Levit

Junior

• Kason Chesky
• Nastia Goddard
• Katherine Dean Horton
• Jing Xi Yap

Senior

• Talya Braverman
• Caroline Humphrey
• Ethan Karas
• Mark Park

Theatre Departmental Award for Excellence in Leadership and Service

For leadership and service to the theatre department

• Rachel Olkin

Aurand Harris Award

Awarded to honor excellence in children’s theatre; established in 1998 to honor the late Aurand Harris (C39), who became the most decorated and produced children’s playwright in America

• Kennedy Naseem

Agnes Nixon Playwriting Awards

Provides a cash award and a production to winners of the annual playwriting competition, underwritten by a trust fund established to help playwrights by Northwestern alumna Agnes Nixon, an extremely prolific television writer who created or served as head writer for numerous daytime serials

• Alena Haney
• Samantha Hernandez
• Leo Kurland

Norrenbrock Design Award

Created to commemorate the life and work of Tony Norrenbrock, who died in 1989 and who, though his period of service with the theatre department was relatively brief, inspired countless students with his creativity and love of his craft

• A Inn Doo

Susan Rae Anderson Vetrono and Clarke J. Vetrono Scholarship

Presented to an outstanding theatre student with an interest in children’s theatre

• Aashna Rai

Winifred Ward Award

Presented by Zeta Phi Eta to a student interested in creative dramatics; honors the memory of Winifred Ward, a School of Communication faculty member from 1918 to 1950, who cofounded one of the first US children’s theatres and made creative dramatics a new discipline in American education

• Kaitlyn Fields
• Natalie Tangeman

John Woodbridge Williams Memorial Scholarship

Awarded to a talented design program graduate student, preferably a lighting designer; established in 1994 by family, friends, and colleagues of John Woodbridge Williams—a theatre professor from 1974 to 1992, talented lighting designer, gifted and inspiring teacher, and giving humanitarian—to honor his life and work

• Rembrandt Pieplenbosch

Departmental Excellence Award for Undergraduate Students

• Erin Soko
• Sophie Teitler

Departmental Book Award

Presented to majors who over the academic year or over the course of their time in the department have demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to performance practice and scholarship

• Shai Bardin
• Shu Yin Cheng
• Laurel Eith
• Eliza Fisher
• Quinn Kennedy
• Cessa Lewis
• Guadalupe Ramos
• Sophie Schaeffer
• Mya Vandegrift
• Samantha Webster

Department Honors for Undergraduate Theses

Shai Bardin
Trimmings: A Stand-Up Special With Performance Art Tactics

Mya Vandegrift
Pythia: An Opera

Robert S. and Gertrude B. Breen Memorial Award

This award honors the memory of Robert S. Breen, professor emeritus of performance studies, who died in 1991, and his wife Gertrude B. Breen, who died in 1992. Professor Breen obtained his bachelors masters and doctoral degrees from the School of Communication and served the faculty for more than three decades, from 1947-1978. Gertrude Breen obtained her bachelor’s degree from the school of Communication and was closely linked to the University throughout her life.

• Nora Alami

Dwight Conquergood Award for Excellence in Performance Pedagogy

Presented to a graduate student in performance studies who best upholds Conquergood’s commitment to critically engaged pedagogy

• Gabriel Guzmán
• Madeleine LeCesne

Frank J. Galati Prize for Undergraduate Essays in Performance Studies

Recognizes excellence in an undergraduate essay; celebrates the contributions of Frank Galati, who retired from the performance studies department in 2006 after more than three decades of teaching

• Samantha Webster

Lilla A. Heston Award for Academic Excellence

Presented to a graduate student in performance studies; established in 1984 by Mrs. Chester L. Heston in memory of her daughter, Lilla Heston, an exemplary Northwestern student who became a highly respected and much-loved faculty member and chaired the department from 1979 until her death in 1984

• Olabanke Oyinkansola Goriola

James L. Lardner Memorial Award

Presented to an undergraduate for achievement in extracurricular activities; honors James Lardner, a practitioner of the “golden style of oratory,” who gave frequent readings and served the school from 1909 until his retirement in 1941

• Sophie Schaeffer

Martha Lavey Prize

Designated for outstanding upperclassmen in the Department of Performance Studies. The award is named in honor of SoC alumna Martha Lavey (Comm ’79, ’86, ’94 H ’10), former artistic director and ensemble member of the Steppenwolf Theatre and longtime advocate of young playwrights, artists and community outreach

• Mya Vandegrift

Charlotte Lee Award

Presented to recognize academic merit and excellence in performance; honors Charlotte Lee, a gifted interpreter of poetry, who became an instructor in interpretation at the school in 1945, founded an annual interpretation workshop, and made great contributions through her interaction with students

• Shai Bardin

Milton S. Florsheim Prize

Presented for excellence in debate; established in 1922 by Northwestern trustee Milton S. Florsheim, founder and board chair of the Florsheim Shoe Company

• Dana Agbede
• Ari Arceo
• Buck Arney
• Akash Deo
• Brock Hines
• Michael Lee
• Annabeth Lundberg
• Mark Martinez
• Tommy Ouyang
• John Pacconi
• Mahima Ramesh
• Veronica Rubin
• Antonio Souchet
• David XiaoXian Wu
• Benjamin Ye
• Julia Zimmerman

John B. Kirk Awards

Honors winners of the Kirk Oratorical Contest, an annual public-speaking competition—open to all Northwestern undergraduates—that was founded in the late1870s by Evanstonian John B. Kirk

• Dana Agbede
• Ari Arceo
• Buck Arney
• Akash Deo
• Brock Hines
• Michael Lee
• Annabeth Lundberg
• Mark Martinez
• Tommy Ouyang
• John Pacconi
• Mahima Ramesh
• Veronica Rubin
• Antonio Souchet
• David XiaoXian Wu
• Benjamin Ye
• Julia Zimmerman