Scripps College 50th Anniversary Celebration honors first Ohio Communication Fellows

Photographer: Jorge Castillo CastroDean Scott Titsworth speaks at the Scripps College of Communication's 50th Anniversary Celebration in Schoonover Center on Monday, April 9.

Ohio University Scripps College of Communication Dean Scott Titsworth invited the college community to honor 50 years of service at the annual Communication Week College Celebration on Monday, April 9. 

“All the work we do is serving others. That’s what makes our school special,” Dean Titsworth said. “It’s our job to make those stories of service known.”

Dean Titsworth began the evening by recounting significant events in the Scripps College of Communication’s last 50 years. He noted that after May 2018, there will be over 30,000 alumni from the college.

Chuck Borghese, a lecturer in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism and an alumnus of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, spoke about his experiences as both a student and a faculty member. “My job is all about inspiring people and finding out what they’re best at,” Borghese said.

For a student perspective on the college, Bichelle Jefferies, a student in the School of Communication Studies and an expected May 2018 graduate, spoke about her decision to attend Ohio University and the Scripps College of Communication, explaining that she wanted a place where she knew she would feel comfortable and have the chance to succeed. In her time in the School of Communication Studies, Jeffries has learned three things: to be inquisitive, to welcome change and to explore.

Mark West, BSC ’78, was recognized as an Ohio Communication Hall of Fame awardee. While in school, West was heavily involved in the All Campus Radio Network and WOUB. He spoke about how his professors were able to help shape his career, and dedicated his award to his academic advisor. The Ohio Communication Hall of Fame was established by the Scripps College of Communication at Ohio University in 1993. The Hall of Fame honors professionals who exhibit lifetime professional achievement. Each honoree must have a tie to Ohio (either the state or the University).

As part of the college’s 50th anniversary celebration, the Communication Fellows Program was started. The program will focus on curriculum development in communication across PK-12 levels of instruction and invites teachers from throughout Ohio to apply. Innovative educators who want to infuse communication topics into their classrooms are encouraged to apply to the fellowship to receive educational, mentorship and financial support for their proposal.

The 2018-19 OHIO Communication Fellows include:

• Megan Nurge, Alliance Academy, Cincinnati
• Carla Neely, Anton Grdina School, Cleveland
• Allison Ricket, Athens High School, Athens
• Megan McKee, Eastern Local School, Beaver
• Ashley Aldrich, Jackson High School, Jackson
• Lisa Walker, Jackson High School, Jackson
• Theresa Poulos, John Glenn School, New Concord
• Celine Quinn, Princeton City School, Cincinnati
• Christopher McVay, Ridgewood Local Schools, West Lafayette

This year, two Student Employee of the Year awards were given to Sydney Otto, a student in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, and Alex Mason, a student in the school of Visual Communications, who both work as College Ambassadors.

The evening concluded with a champagne toast to 50 more years of service from the college. Additional award winners honored at the celebration included:

• The New York Times, Farfel Prize for Excellence in Investigative Journalism
• Claudia Hale, Dean’s Outstanding Faculty Leadership and Service Award
• Marlene Shostak, Employee of the Year

The College Celebration was one of the feature events to kick off Communication Week, which runs April 9-13. The roots of Communication Week in the Scripps College of Communication date back to 1968. The annual event included events, speakers and panel discussions designed to encourage student interaction with prominent leaders in the communication field and draw alumni to campus.

For the countdown to the 50th anniversary the college has been highlighting stories of service and collaboration across the college, university, community and the world. You can look back these stories with the hashtag #50StoriesOfService on Facebook and Twitter. 

For more information on each of the events planned for Communication Week 2018, please visit www.ohio.edu/communicationweek. Follow along on social media using #ScrippsIsGolden, #ScrippsGoldenAnniversary or #CommWeek18.

Photographer: Jorge Castillo CastroAlumni, faculty, staff and students mingle before the Scripps College of Communication's 50th Anniversary Celebration at Schoonover Center on Monday, April 9.