Leave your weapons at home, but department faculty will be armed with awards at the James Bond-themed ceremony. Each year the Department of Communication at ETSU honors more than 20 students for outstanding accomplishments.
This year, the suspense will end at the awards ceremony Friday, April 25 at 5:30 p.m. at the Carnegie Hotel.
Each year, students who have excelled receive awards and scholarships from each division of the department – advertising, broadcasting, journalism, public relations, speech and theatre.
Last year, Stanford Dailey won the Richard Cobb Miller Journalism Scholarship.
“It felt good to be acknowledged for my hard work and efforts,” said Dailey, who is a senior this year.
In addition to divisional honors, each year, the department recognizes three students with top honors of the year – The Max Marshall Award for Outstanding Leadership, the Murvin H. Perry Award for Creative Achievement and the Outstanding Student in Communication Award.
“I think it is great that the department takes the time to have this special event,” said Emily Kilgore, winner of the 2007 Outstanding Student in Public Relations Award. “It is so rewarding as a student to feel that all of your efforts did not go unnoticed.”
Along with the student winners, alumni are often honored at the ceremony.
Last year’s Alumni Hall of Fame inductees were Brent Warner and Lori Warner, chiropractic professionals in Virginia; Chris Armbrister, an actor, director, fight choreographer, writer, producer and co-owner of Thin Air Theatre Company in Colorado; Bill Derby of Johnson City, the publisher and owner of The Johnson City News and Neighbor; Robyn E. Smith, a Nashville lawyer; and Frank “Buzz” Trexler, managing editor of The Daily Times in Maryville.
Alumni Hall of Fame nominees are selected based on career and community achievements.
“I was quite surprised and humbled by the honor,” said Trexler. “It was a special experience for me.”
This year, rather than recognizing alumni accomplishments, the Communication Department faculty, staff and students will be honoring three faculty and former faculty members for lifetime achievement. “It is a privilege to honor accomplished students and former students, but there are several people whose contributions to the Communication field and department have been immense,” said department Chair Dr. Charles Roberts. “We wanted to take this opportunity to recognize them and show them how much they are appreciated.”
In true Bond style, the Communication Department awards ceremony will begin at 5:30 p.m. with “martinis” shaken, not stirred, in the Grand Soldiers Ballroom at Carnegie Hotel.
In addition, heavy hors d’oeuvres and a dose of mystery and action will be served.
All communication students, alumni and faculty are welcome.

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