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The Department of Communication Studies honored its graduating seniors and master's students last week during the COMMencement event hosted by the department. Students gathered with their friends and loved ones to celebrate their accomplishments. 

Sage Drisker, president of the Communication Organization of Graduate Students, spoke at the event, alongside Idateinbo Cheetham-West, president of the Performance Interest Group, and Freddie Smith, UNT Debate's IPDA captain. 

Congratulations to all award winners and graduates! 

Spring 2026 Masters

Morgan Benham (Major Professor: Dr. Iftekhar Ahmed)

Sage Drisker (Major Professor: Dr. Megan Morrissey)

Ashlyn Neumann (Major Professor: Dr. Joseph McGlynn)

Mary Jane Taylor (Major Professor: Dr. Suzanne Enck)

2026 Alumni Awards

Communication Studies Alumni of the Year: John Hines (BA 2003, MA 2005); Kelly Rodriguez (MS 2009)

Communication Studies Alumnus Pedagogue of the Year: Jenny Warren (MS 2004)

Communication Studies Alumni Engagement Award: Ronnie Platt (BA 2011)

Communication Studies Civic Impact Award: Tonya Parker (BA 1994); David Register (MS 2007)

2025–2026 Student Awards

Undergraduate Student Awards

Outstanding Achievement in College Speech & Debate: Morgan (Freddie) Smith

Outstanding Performance by an Undergraduate Student: Maran Clawson; Thomas Earthman; Jack Macy

Ted Colson Award for Excellence in Performance Studies: Jackson Anderson; Helen Saunders

Outstanding Undergraduate Internship: Isabela Sartini Costa

Outstanding Undergraduate Mentor: Courtni Culbertson

Outstanding Undergraduate Researcher: Abigail Smith; Khiet-Tam (Kaylee) Vuong

Outstanding Service by an Undergraduate in Communication Studies: Madison Meyer

Classroom Catalyst Award (Outstanding Classroom Participation): Lauren Andrews; Emery Fields; Morgan (Freddie) Smith

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Communication Studies: Lauren Andrews; Idateinbo (Ibim) Cheetham-West; Michelle Muniz; Abigail Smith; Morgan (Freddie) Smith

Outstanding Undergraduate Student in Communication Studies: Idateinbo (Ibim) Cheetham-West

Graduate Student Awards

Internship of the Year: Ashlyn Neumann

Scholarly Project of the Year: Radia Islam

Comprehensive Exams of the Year: Ashlyn Neumann

Outstanding Performance by a Graduate Student: Jada Higgins

Outstanding Service by a Graduate Student in Communication Studies: Sage Drisker

Outstanding Teaching by a Graduate Student: Ashlyn Neumann

Graduate Scholar of the Year: Aaron Delgado

Outstanding Graduate Student in Communication Studies: Sage Drisker