2017 End-of-Year Awards Given to Outstanding Meadows Students and Faculty

Every spring, individual divisions of the Meadows School of the Arts select outstanding students for special awards recognizing their scholarship, creative talent and community involvement. Students also may be honored by their divisions by being selected to serve as a Reader or Marshal for Commencement.

In addition, five Meadows students and faculty have been honored with special awards from the University for 2017.

Winners of the SMU and Meadows School of the Arts departmental awards for 2017 are as follows (all are graduating seniors unless otherwise noted):

University Honors

Troy Perkins, assistant professor of film and media arts, was one of four faculty campus-wide to receive the Outstanding Professor Award presented by the Rotunda yearbook.

Aveline Chan, a piano performance and accounting double major, and Jessica Giraudon, a double major in advertising and corporate communication & public affairs (CCPA), received the “M” Award, SMU’s most prestigious honor. It is presented each year to up to five faculty members and 10 students whose contributions to the University are “above and beyond the call of duty.”

CCPA major Mattie Casey won the Avella Winn Hay Award, given each year to a graduating senior based on scholarly excellence, exemplary character and significant contribution to the SMU community.

Emily Fann, a double major in journalism and English, was one of five campus recipients of the A. Kenneth Pye Outstanding Greek Leader Award. The highest award for Greek life at SMU, the Pye Award recognizes students based on scholarship, community involvement, campus involvement and personal commitment to the ideals of their fraternity or sorority.

Meadows School Honors

Temerlin Advertising Institute

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Digital – Angela “Paige” Brown

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Creative – Helen Rieger

Outstanding Academic Achievement in Strategic Brand Management – Marisol Moran-Sendra

Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Undergraduate: Angela “Paige” Brown, Samantha Butz, Arden Leone and Marisol Moran-Sendra; Graduate: AHM Mustafizur “Mustafiz” Rahman

Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Alpha Delta Sigma Initiates – Undergraduate: Amy Cooley (junior), Angela “Paige” Brown, Julia Christen (junior), Joanna Fennessey (junior), Jessica Giraudon, Tiffany Giraudon (junior), Rachel Kainer, Bari Kesner, Gyeryeong Kim (junior), Nicholas McCall, Gifford Mellick, London Mercer (junior), Marisol Moran-Sendra, Matthew Smyth and Laura Walsh

Alpha Delta Sigma is a national honor society sponsored by the American Advertising Federation that recognizes and encourages scholastic achievement in advertising studies. It is the only national, professional advertising honorary society in American higher education.

Marshal – Angela “Paige” Brown

Reader (graduate student) – AHM Mustafizur “Mustafiz” Rahman

Reader (undergraduate student) – James “Tanner” Thompson

Division of Art

Dan Wingren Award for Outstanding Senior – Dillon Chapman

Stephen D. Wilder Travel Award – Angelica Reisch

Frances B. Cowan Award in Printmaking – Rick Yun

Mary Vernon Painting Prize – Angelica Reisch

The Mary Vernon Painting Prize was established by donors in 2016 in honor of Vernon’s long, successful career as both an artist and professor at SMU. The award is presented annually to an art major with outstanding dedication to the craft of painting, as judged by faculty, and provides funds toward establishment of an art career.

Standard Club Awards – Stejara Dinulescu (sophomore) and Julia Jalowiec (junior)

Marshal – Rick Yun

Reader (undergraduate student) – Sally Kim

Department of Art History

Alessandra Comini Award for Outstanding Undergraduate Art History Major – Morgan Fatora

Outstanding Senior Award – Marisa Infante

Marshal – Morgan Fatora

Reader (undergraduate student) – Marisa Infante

Division of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship

(Note: These students are receiving graduate degrees.)

Lanham Deal Internship Award – Caroline Webb

This award recognizes and assists outstanding students in arts management. The award was established in honor of Lanham Deal, a Meadows alumnus and prominent leader of music organizations in Dallas in the decades after World War II.

Marshal – Caroline Webb

Reader – Meghann Bridgeman

Division of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs

Outstanding Academic Achievement – Chloe Pope-Levison

Outstanding Student in Organizational Communication – Sara Langone

Outstanding Student in Political Communication – Jane Jestus

Outstanding Student in Public Relations and Strategic Communication – Caitlin Chapman

Outstanding Student in Social Innovation and Nonprofit Engagement – Caitlin Chapman

Outstanding Senior in Debate and Speech – Jaden Warren

Outstanding Senior in Honors Program – Sara Langone

Outstanding Senior in Mock Trial – Sarah Smith

Outstanding Senior in mustangconsulting – Allie Colbert

Outstanding Senior in PRSSA – Mattie Casey

CCPA Fellow – Brownlee Fielder

Advisory Board Scholar Awards – Brittany Effner, William Hagens, McKenzie May, Jacqueline Putegnat and Alex Twiss

Stan Levenson Honorary Scholar Awards – Brittany Effner and Emily Gullo

Douglas Bauer Incentive Scholar Awards – Emily Gullo, Spencer Gutierrez and William Hagens

Stephen and Dawn Farrell Study Abroad Scholar Awards – Gabrielle Martinez, Jacqueline Putegnat, Kimberly Strelke and Alex Twiss

Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Kelly Chapek, Allie Colbert, Abigail Foster, Sara Jendrusch, Margaret Jones, Sara Langone and Chloe Pope-Levison

Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Marshal – Trina Jo Pardo

Reader – Allie Colbert

Center of Creative Computation

Marshal – Brittni Watkins

Reader – Samuel Cooper

Division of Dance

Outstanding Achievement in Dance – Kathryn Barragan, Reid Conlon and Katharine Rygiel

Marshal – Deepa Liegel

Reader – Fallon Reedy

Division of Film and Media Arts

Outstanding Scholarly Achievement Award – Kim Kooker

Outstanding Creative Achievement in Film/Media Production – Gillian Perry

Outstanding Creative Achievement in Screenwriting – Alec Petsche

Nash Parsley Memorial Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement – Presley Impson

Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Kim Kooker and Gillian Perry

Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Marshal – Presley Impson

Reader – Kim Kooker

Division of Journalism

Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Journalism – Jacqueline Francis

Outstanding Achievement in Digital Journalism – Reece Graham

Outstanding Achievement in Print Journalism – Patrick Engel

Outstanding Achievement in Fashion Media – India Pougher

Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates – Kathryn Butler, Samantha Butz, Reece Graham, Jeremiah Jensen, Alexis Ortiz and India Pougher

Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.

Marshal – Kathryn Butler

Reader – Jeremiah Jensen

Division of Music

Undergraduate Award for Excellence in Music – Aveline Chan

Undergraduate Concerto Competition Winners – Abigail Hawthorne, oboe (junior) and Tiffany Lu, piano (sophomore)

General Concerto Competition Winners – Mikhail Berestnev, piano (Performer’s Diploma); Jonathan Gregoire, organ (Artist Diploma); and Alissa Roca, voice (Performer’s Diploma)

Pi Kappa Lambda Initiates – Olga Amelkina-Vera, Leticia Downs, Jason Finnels, Christian Holzer, Sonny Martinez and Laura Wheless (graduate students); Gabrielle Ferrari and Alexis Nguyen (seniors); Kevin Bock, Sydney Frodsham and Kenneth Martin (juniors); and Lane Harder and Michael Lively (faculty)

Pi Kappa Lambda is a national honorary music society; membership is based on artistic achievement, scholarly excellence and exemplary character.

Thomas Hayward Memorial Award – James Resch (senior)

The Thomas Hayward Award was established in honor of his incredible teaching at

Meadows from 1964 until his retirement in 1994. Tom’s career included 14 years as a leading tenor with the Metropolitan Opera. This award goes to an undergraduate voice major with a GPA above 3.0, chosen by the faculty.

Dr. Ben K. Howard Award for Excellence in Opera – Quintin Coleman (graduate student)

The Dr. Ben K. Howard Award for Excellence in Opera recognizes a young artist who has shown a dynamic commitment to excellence in the field of opera, in addition to making major contributions to the Meadows Opera Theatre program during a given year.

Norman L. Jacobs Memorial Award – Benjamin Beall (senior)

The Norman L. Jacobs Memorial Award is given to a student or students selected by the brass faculty for outstanding contribution through performances, studio and master classes.

Roy and Sue Johnson Award – Michael Van Der Sloot (graduate student)

The Roy and Sue Johnson Award is given to a graduating senior or graduate student in any music field selected by a vote of the entire music faculty for a combination of high standards in scholarship and artistry.

Roy and Sue Johnson Opera Theatre Award – Regina Bradford and Ricardo Ceballos (graduate students)

The Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Opera Theatre is given to outstanding graduate members of the opera theatre class - with the preference that they go to one man and one woman.

Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Organ or Sacred Music in Honor of Robert Anderson – Wilhelm Sollie (graduate student)

The Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Organ or Sacred Music was established to honor distinguished Professor Emeritus of Organ and Sacred Music Dr. Robert T. Anderson, and recognizes outstanding achievement in this area.

Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Memory of Maurice Acers – Aveline Chan (senior)

This award is in memory of the Johnsons’ good friend and fellow musician, Maurice Acers. Because of Mr. Acers’ keen interest in sharing his love of music, they wanted this award to recognize outstanding contributions of a student active in teaching in the general education curriculum or community outreach activities involving music.

Roy and Sue Johnson Award in Honor of Dr. Herbert Turrentine – Gabrielle Ferrari (senior) and Andrew Penney (graduate student)

This award is given to the student for excellence in the area of Music History, particularly in the area of thesis.

Lloyd Pfautsch Award – Laura Wheless (graduate student)

Established by an endowment created by the friends and former students of Lloyd Pfautsch, former choral director of the Division of Music, the Lloyd Pfautsch Award is selected by all choir members for someone who demonstrates leadership, musicianship and scholarship.

Theodore Presser Scholarship – Abigail Hawthorne (junior)

Being selected as a Presser Scholar is one of the most prestigious achievements in any undergraduate music school. The Presser Scholar receives a financial award at the beginning of the fall semester and their name is engraved on a plaque that hangs permanently in the Meadows Music Division office.

Sigma Alpha Iota Award – Alyssa Barnes (graduate student)

This award is designated for the person chosen by the ensemble directors for scholarship and outstanding contribution to a performing ensemble. Sigma Alpha Iota is a national, professional music fraternity and the Division of Music is grateful for this award, which they present each year.

Paul Van Katwijk Award – Hannah Abercrombie (senior)

The Van Katwijk Award is given in honor of Paul van Katwijk, dean of the School of Music at SMU from 1919-1949. This award goes to an outstanding undergraduate piano major selected by the piano faculty.

The Paul Velucci Piano Award – Jessica Welsh (graduate student)

This award is given in honor of Paul Velucci, a former SMU piano faculty member, conductor and one of the great vocal coaches in the U.S. The award recognizes an outstanding piano student and is selected by the piano faculty.

Harold Von Mickwitz Prize in Piano – Mikhail Berestnev (Performer’s Diploma)

The prize, named after the first dean of the Meadows School of Music (1916-1918), is presented to the pianist who performs with the Meadows Symphony Orchestra as the winner of the annual Concerto Competition.

Dora Poteet Barclay Award – Katie Minion (graduate student)

This award is given to a graduate organ major as well as junior/senior level majors with a 3.0 average or higher, as selected by the organ music faculty.

Marshal – Aveline Chan

Reader (graduate student) – Jessica Welsh

Reader (undergraduate student) – Vineel Mahal

Division of Theatre

Undergraduate Award for Academic Excellence in the Division of Theatre – Kaylyn Buckley, Joanna Coogan, Dalton Fowler, Christina Sittser and Jo-Jo Steine

Edyth Renshaw Award – Kaylyn Buckley

This award is given to an outstanding senior student for contribution to the division, academic achievement, and outstanding promise as an actor, director or designer.

Lu Gene Singleton Award – Dalton Fowler

This award is given to a student for exceptional acts of service, either to individuals or to the department, and for a prevailing generosity of spirit, which marks this individual’s distinction.

Garland Wright Award for Directing – Kaylyn Buckley, Joanna Coogan and Marcus Pinon

This award is given to an outstanding student or students in the field of directing.

Taubman Scholarship for Excellence in Graduate Stage Design – Sarah Harris

This award is given to a first- or second-year graduate design student.

Bob Hope Award for Design – Amelia Bransky

This award is given to an outstanding second- or third-year design graduate student for scholarship, classroom leadership, academic achievement, self-development, progress as a designer in major studio and classroom performances, and production contribution.

Bill and Jean Eckart Award in Design – Jocelyn Girigorie
Bob Hope Scholarship for Excellence in Graduate Acting – Lindsay Ryan

This award is given to a first- or second-year graduate acting student.

Bob Hope Scholarship for Excellence in Undergraduate Acting – Catherine McCue
Bob Hope Award for Excellence in Graduate Acting – Luke Longacre

This award is given to an outstanding graduate acting student for scholarship, classroom leadership, academic achievement, self-development, progress as a performer in major studio and classroom performances, and production contribution.

Greer Garson Awards – Leslie Ballart, Dalton Fowler, Danielle Green and Braden Socia

These awards are given to junior or senior undergraduates who, in the opinion of the designated members of the Meadows faculty, have demonstrated excellence, aptitude and dedication in the art of acting. The awards are determined by vote of the dean of the Meadows School of the Arts, the chair of the Theatre Division and the head of the professional acting curriculum.

Dallas Foundation Award – Yusef Seevers

This award is given to a graduate acting student for work at SMU and in the local theatre community. It is made possible by The Dallas Foundation, which serves as a leader, catalyst and resource for philanthropy by providing donors with flexible means of making gifts and bequests, primarily supporting causes of the city and county of Dallas.

Katie Featherston Awards for Acting – Joanna Coogan, Lily Manuel, Marcus Pinon and Jo-Jo Steine

Rosenfield Playwriting Awards – Joanna Coogan, Reese Graham, Hunter McConnell, Haley Nelson and Marcus Pinon

Marshal – Kaylyn Buckley

Reader (graduate student) – Kolby Clarke

Reader (undergraduate student) – Jo-Jo Steine