Honors for Students and Alumni

   The department's annual fall Honors Convocation was a threesome: induction of new Honor Society members, presentation of seven Professional Achievement Awards, and recognition of another Comm graduate receiving the college's Young Alumnus Award. The event took place Nov. 19 in the department's television studio.
   Twenty-two students were inducted into the Communication Honor Society, known nationally as Lambda Pi Eta. Eligibility requirements include having at least a 3.25 GPA in their major. In the four years since the campus chapter was established, the department has inducted more than 125 students.
   Nick Laudico (2001 Public Communication) was one of four recipients this year of the college's Young Alumnus award. Because he was unable to attend the ceremony in September, the department offered its Fall Honors Convocation for the college Alumni Association to present the award. Nick gave the keynote speech for the evening, focusing on the value of professionalism.
   Communication faculty voted to present Professional Achievement awards to alumni and one media professional with close ties to the department. They included:
   Angela Berti APR (1994, Journalism), marketing and public relations coordinator with the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation (Western Region) and one of Business First's "40 Under 40."
   Lisa Flynn (1986, Broadcasting), award-winning reporter and weekend anchor for WIVB-TV 4 until her recent retirement to spend more time with her family.
   Christopher Gallant (1992, Broadcasting), associate professor of digital media at Hilbert College and Emmy-winning television producer.
   Brian Meyer, award-winning Buffalo News reporter and former WBEN reporter who has served as a part-time journalism instructor in the Communication Department since 1994.
   Harry Scull Jr (1989, Journalism), Buffalo News photojournalist; freelance photographer for the Associated Press, Getty Images, and Pro Football Weekly; and team photograp0her for the Jacksonville Jaguars.
   Howard Simon (1984, Broadcasting), sports broadcaster with WBEN radio, Empire Sports Network, and WGR radio.
   Bill Wippert (1979, Journalism). Buffalo News photojournalist and videographer, team photographer for the Buffalo Sabres, and a contributing photographer to Sports Illustrated and ESPN Magazine.