2023 Undergraduate Communication Major Award Winners

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

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Litty Paxton presents an award to Celia Kreth (C’23).

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies Litty Paxton presents an award to Celia Kreth (C’23).

On Sunday, May 14, 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 Lauren Hitt (C’13). In addition to recognizing each graduate, the following awards were presented.

Hon. Walter H. Annenberg Award: Jonah Charlton
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: Celia Kreth and Tara Shilkret
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: Pia Singh
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: Anika Prakash
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: Tommy Christaldi, Jeffrey Fishman, Leanna Tilitei
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: Tara Shilkret
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: Jeffrey Fishman
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.

Michael X. Delli Carpini Award: Leanna Tilitei
Named in honor of former Dean Delli Carpini, this award recognizes a graduating Communication major who has completed an outstanding thesis in the Communication and Public Service program.

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

Phi Beta Kappa

  • Ashley Blanco Liz
  • Jonah Charlton
  • Tommy Christaldi
  • Jeffrey Fishman
  • Tara Shilkret
  • Leanna Tilitei
  • Tamara Wurman (C’22)

Center for Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Grantees

  • Ashley Blanco Liz 
  • Tommy Christaldi 
  • Jeffrey Fishman
  • Tara Shilkret
  • Leanna Tilitei 

Stavros Niarchos Foundation Paideia Grantees 

  • Henry Katz
  • Celia Kreth
  • Sydney Nixon 

Nora Magid Mentorship Prize for Excellence in Journalism

  • Pia Singh

Congratulations to the award winners and to all of our 2023 graduates!