2022 Undergraduate Communication Major Award Winners

Eight students were recognized for their outstanding achievements with awards from the Annenberg School.

Litty Paxton handing an award to Akhil Vaidya with Annenberg logo table in front and students and faculty seated around

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Litty Paxton presents an award to Akhil Vaidya (C'22).

On Sunday, May 16, the Annenberg School for Communication held its annual undergraduate graduation ceremony, honoring the Communication majors graduating from the University of Pennsylvania. This year's graduation speaker was alumna Jo Piazza (C’02). In addition to recognizing each graduate, the following awards were presented.

Hon. Walter H. Annenberg Award: Fernanda Brizuela Martinez, Melody-Susan J. Kulaprathazhe
Named in honor of Annenberg’s founder, this award recognizes a graduating Communication major who has most strengthened and improved the University of Pennsylvania’s student community through Communication service activities.

Phyllis C. Kaniss Award: Tamara Wurman
Named in memory of former assistant dean Phyllis C. Kaniss, this award is presented to a graduating Communication major who has demonstrated a commitment to civic participation through meaningful action around issues of public concern, including individual actions or actions undertaken through organizations on or off campus.

Carolyn Marvin Award: Kylie Cooper
Named in honor of the Frances Yates Emeritus Professor of Communication, this award recognizes a graduating Communication major who, through their curricular, co-curricular, or extra-curricular activities has done the most to advance understanding of the importance of free speech and assembly in a democratic society.

C. Nicole Dickerson Award: Robin Hu, Christina G. Wittingham
Named in memory of former undergraduate advisor C. Nicole Dickerson, this public service award is given to a graduating Communication major who has made a significant contribution to our neighbors in the West Philadelphia community.

Kathleen Hall Jamieson Award: Robin Hu, Dylan Kalie Massoni, Akhil Vaidya
Named for former dean Kathleen Hall Jamieson, this award honors a graduating Communication major(s) with the highest cumulative grade point average in the major.

George Gerbner Award: Robin Hu
Named for former dean George Gerbner, this award recognizes a graduating Communication major whose thesis best demonstrates an original and comprehensive application of research skills as well as a thorough understanding of communication scholarship.

Charles Morris Price Prize: Akhil Vaidya
This award acknowledges an outstanding graduating Communication major who has most distinguished themselves through a combination of academic excellence, research accomplishments, and/or contributions to Annenberg’s academic objectives.

The following graduating Communication majors received awards from the University of Pennsylvania and were acknowledged in the graduation program.

Phi Beta Kappa

  • Sabrina Elson
  • Robin Hu
  • Sophia (Ruijun) Liu
  • Akhil Vaidya

Rose Undergraduate Research Award

  • Robin Hu

Lydia S. Hart Award in Sexuality Studies & Center for Advanced Research in Global Communication Fellow

  • Sudeep Solanki Bhargava

Gordon Bodek Prize

  • Tamara Wurman

Mitchell Center Undergraduate Research Grantee

  • Sophia (Ruijun) Liu

Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Grantees

  • Sabrina Elson
  • Aerin Shea Fergus
  • Tamara Wurman

Congratulations to the award winners and to all of our 2022 graduates!