Communication

Diederich College of Communication recognizes outstanding students at annual honors reception

The Diederich College of Communication celebrated annual award winners and students with highest academic honors at its annual Undergraduate Honors Reception on Thursday, April 23. 

“We are extraordinarily proud of all our award winners and their achievements,” said Dr. Sarah Feldner, dean of the Diederich College of Communication. “The students who are invited to this ceremony have shown an enduring commitment to excellence in academics, extracurriculars, service and professional activities.” 

Twenty-seven students across four classes received highest academic honors for maintaining a perfect 4.0 GPA: 11 freshmen, eight sophomores, four juniors and four seniors. One student from each major also won the annual Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award. 

This ceremony also honored six winners of the J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication Scholarship, two winners of the Chris Farley Scholarship, as well as the recipients of the James Foley Scholarship, the Pete and Bonnie Axthelm Memorial Scholarship and the Olsen Family Endowed Communication Award. 

“I had the pleasure of meeting many of these students and they are everything we want Marquette students to be: thoughtful, passionate and oriented toward servant leadership,” said Dr. Kati Berg, associate dean for academic affairs. 
 
A full list of award winners can be found below: 
 
J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication Scholarship: 
Ethan Beeskow 
Ava Bellovary 
Hudson DeRidder 
Rowan Farley 
Pablo Pedraza 
Christian Wood 

James Foley Scholarship: 
Amelia Lerret 

Axthelm Award: 
Raquel Ruiz 

Farley Award: 
Brennan Wills 
Erin Cavender 

Olsen Family Award: 
Draylin Pickett 
 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Advertising: 
Amanda Barry 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Communication Studies: 
Maisy Keith 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Corporate Communication: 
Kendell Meyer 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Digital Media: 
Kathryn Lazich 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Journalism: 
Nate Oif 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Public Relations: 
Margaret Pabst 

Diederich College of Communication Scholars Award–Theatre: 
Iris DeWeerdt 

Highest Academic Honors–Freshman: 
Amelia Lerret 
Caitlyn Waraksa 
Ava Bellovary 
Gabi Trauberman 
Jay Conkin 
Izzy Paracuelles 
Paula Sotomayor 
Reed Larson-Erf 
Caz Leech 
Alexander Rubin 
Dominic Castro 

Highest Academic Honors–Sophomore: 
Maddy Charlton 
Elise Emery 
Nick Gross 
Olivia Lowndes 
Ryan Smith 
MaryKate Stepchuk 
Sarah Williams 

Highest Academic Honors–Junior: 

Acee Hockin 
Kathryn Lazich 
Margaret Pabst 
Grace Stauder 

Highest Academic Honors–Senior: 

Abby Lamkins 
Erin Fricker 
Liz Grimes 
Kaylynn Wright