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2017 Honorees

Centennial Award 

Carol Wilder, Ph.D., '74 - Wilder is a writer, teacher and filmmaker based in New York City and Long Island. She is professor of Media Studies at The New School, where from 1995-2007 she was Associate Dean and Chair of Media Studies and Film. In 2007-2008 Wilder was a Fulbright Senior Scholar at Hanoi University, where she built a Media Lab and lectured throughout Vietnam on media education for the 21st century. In 2011 she returned to Hanoi as a Fulbright Senior Specialist, her ninth visit to Vietnam, and in 2013 published Crossing the Street in Hanoi: Teaching and Learning Â鶹ӰԺ Vietnam (Intellect/University of Chicago Press). 

Wilder has written many articles and book chapters on media theory and criticism, politics and the media, and the Vietnam/American war. Her 16mm film Puttin' on the Dog screened at venues including the National Arts Club, Woods Hole Film Festival, and the International Dog Film Festival in New York and Los Angeles. Along with the late John Weakland, she received the National Communication Association Golden Anniversary Book Award for Rigor & Imagination: Essays from the Legacy of Gregory Bateson (Praeger 1982). 

She has taught at Â鶹ӰԺ, Oberlin College and Emerson College. From 1975-1995 she was on the Communication Studies faculty at San Francisco State University, where she is professor emerita. Wilder received a Bachelor of Science in English, a Master of Arts in speech and theatre from Miami University and a Ph.D. in rhetoric and communication from Â鶹ӰԺ State.

Distinguished Alumni Award

Scott A. Myers, Ph.D., '95 - Scott A. Myers, Ph.D., ’95, is a professor and Peggy Rardin McConnell Endowed Chair of Communication Studies in the Department of Communication Studies and a faculty associate in the Center for Women’s and Gender Studies at West Virginia University (WVU). Previously, Myers has taught at Creighton University, McNeese State University, Â鶹ӰԺ, Buena Vista University and Illinois State University.

As an instructional communication researcher, Myers’s research focuses primarily on the role communication plays in the instructor-student relationship, both in and out of the classroom, using experimental, survey and content analytic research methods. His current research projects focus on identifying the specific communication behaviors that contribute to teaching effectiveness from both the student and the instructor perspectives. 

Myers also is a family communication researcher, with a focus on how adult siblings maintain their relationships.  He currently is working on a series of projects exploring how shared family identify affects the sibling relational maintenance process.

At WVU, Myers was recognized by the Eberly College of Arts and Sciences as a Woodburn Professor from 2005-2007 and as an Outstanding Teacher in 2010. He is a past president of the Central States Communication Association, where he also served as the executive director from 2004-2006, and is a past editor of Communication Teacher. He is the director of the Educational Policies board of the National Communication Association.

Myers earned his Ph.D. in communication studies from Â鶹ӰԺ. He holds a Master of Arts in educational leadership studies from West Virginia University, a Master of Arts in communication from Illinois State University, and Bachelor of Arts’ degrees in both English and public relations from Illinois State University.
 

Outstanding Young Professional Award

JaRel Clay, '11 - Clay is the digital content manager at the Center for a New American Security (CNAS) in Washington, D.C. Joining CNAS in August 2013, Clay develops and implements CNAS’ digital communication strategy, manages the Center’s email marketing efforts, designs graphics for online promotion, and produces CNAS’ podcasts and expert video interviews. He has also supported the Center’s media relations efforts, securing placements in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Foreign Policy, Reuters, Mashable, Bloomberg, Defense News, C-SPAN, CNN, MSNBC and NPR. 

Prior to joining CNAS, Clay served for the public affairs practice at Edelman, the world’s largest independent public relations agency. He supported public affairs initiatives for Edelman’s energy, automotive and natural resources clients. Clay worked to build strategic partnerships and strengthen his clients’ traditional and online media presence. His op-ed placements often focused on national security and energy policy issues, appearing in The Washington Post, Washington Times, and regional outlets. 

Clay holds a master’s degree in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University and a bachelor’s degree in communication studies from Â鶹ӰԺ. 

Arianne Gasser, '11 - Gasser is a research associate at executive search firm O’Neill Consulting of Philadelphia, Penn. At O’Neill, Gasser supports the recruiting of strategic executive hires by crafting position specifications, formulating source and target lists, and developing a highly qualified slate of candidates to exceed the needs of our clients’ search engagements.

Prior to her current position, Gasser was director of research at N2Growth, a global leadership consultancy where she helped organizations be more purposeful and effective with internal communication. 

While a research associate for CRA Inc., an internal communication consulting firm, Gasser supported client projects that involved change communication, employee engagement and corporate culture for their Fortune 100 clients.

While completing her master’s degree in strategic communication at Villanova University, she worked as a graduate assistant for the Center for Multicultural Affairs and the Communication Department. She conducted primary and secondary research on institutional diversity and intergroup relations and helped evaluate Villanova’s Strategic Plan for Diversity.

Gasser is an adjunct professor at Villanova University, teaching Business and Professional Communication; Interviewing; and Negotiation and Dialogue. She also gives workshops and speeches to students on the importance of professional development.

Past Award Recipients

Centennial Award

• 2010: Alan and Rebecca Rubin
• 2011: Richard O. Warther, '79
• 2012: Dominic A. Infante, M.A. '69, Ph.D. '71
• 2013: Gerry Sargent, M.A. '72
• 2014: Kim S. Phipps, Ph.D. '85
• 2015: Jerry D. Feezel
• 2016: Elizabeth M. Perse, Ph.D., '87

Distinguished Alumni Award

• 2010: Elizabeth Graham, Ph.D. '87
• 2011: Andrew Rancer, '79
• 2012: Deborah Easton-Bentley, '80, M.A. '83
• 2013: Carole Barbato, '71, M.A. '75, Ph.D. '94
• 2014: Louise Gissendaner, '81
• 2015: Robin Clair, Ph.D. '90
• 2016: Michael R. Lisman, '76

Young Professional Award

• 2010: Vin Karnik, '02
• 2011: not awarded
• 2012: Adam Earnheardt, Ph.D. '07
• 2013: Erin Clemons, '08
• 2014: Katie Ramunni, '08
• 2015: Anthony Limperos, '04, M.A. '06
• 2016: Megan E. Vogias, '06