The annual TAI Awards Luncheon was held in a first-ever virtual ceremony on Friday, May 1st. The event included COVID BINGO, senior superlatives, a video produced by seniors (below), and culminated with the presentation of awards.
2020 Award Recipients Include:
STUDENT AWARDS
Undergraduate Reader // ALLIE HARTMAN
Graduate Reader // PIPER HAMILL
Student Marshal // KAYLA GRIFFIS
Outstanding Achievement in Brand Management // MEGAN ROBERTSON
Outstanding Achievement in Digital Media // KAYLA GRIFFIS
Outstanding Achievement in Creative Advertising // ALLIE HARTMAN
TAI Outstanding Graduate Student // PIPER HAMILL
TAI Outstanding Graphic Designer // RANI VESTAL
TAI Optimizer Award // LAUREN KOBAYASHI
Given to a student who demonstrates a desire and aptitude to make work better through superior work strategies and iteration.
TAI Team Player Award // SUSAN SLATON
Given to a student in recognition of contributions to team projects and activities.
TAI Social Impact Award // KELL KLOPP
Given to a student who exemplifies aspects of social responsibility in their advertising work and beyond.
TAI Anchor Award // SARAH KATSIKAS
Given to a student who consistently “pulls more than his/her weight” in bringing projects to fruition.
TAI Service Award // KAYLA GRIFFIS
Given to a student who renders substantial service to the campus at large as well as in the greater community.
TAI Resilience Award // KALEB MULUGETA
Given to a student who deals effectively with project setbacks while maintaining a positive attitude and demonstrating a resolve to produce outstanding work.
Face of TAI Award // MERYN KENNEDY
Given to a student who represents the Institute within Meadows, SMU and/or the advertising industry.
Donald J. Carty Leadership Award // ALLIE HARTMAN
Given to a student in recognition of leadership in the classroom, the Institute and beyond.
Kappa Tau Alpha Initiates // KAYLA GRIFFIS, PIPER HAMILL, ALLIE HARTMAN, SHELBY NUTTER AND MEGAN ROBERTSON
Kappa Tau Alpha is a college honor society that recognizes academic excellence and promotes scholarship in journalism and mass communication.
FACULTY AWARDS
Adjunct Professor Extraordinaire // MARIE BOS BURNS
TAI Scholar of the Year // SID MURALIDHARAN
TAI Research Fellow // CARRIE LA FERLE
Service Exemplar // CHERYL MENDENHALL
Student Support Super Star // MARK ALLEN
Student Support Super Star // AMBER BENSON
Professor Inspiring Excellence #1 // GORDON LAW
Professor Inspiring Excellence #2 // QUAN XIE
Professor Inspiring Excellence #3 // PETER NOBLE