On behalf of the department we would like to congratulate all of this year’s award recipients. These students have worked tirelessly to be the best at what they do and deserve recognition.
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Sports Comm):
Spencer Peltz 
This award is presented to a senior with an outstanding academic record in Sports Communication. This award is given annually to a student in recognition of their outstanding performance in the classroom, academic achievement, involvement in the program, creative effort, and character.
Spencer is a Rising Senior in the Sport Communication major. Since he was a freshman, he has been working in the Clemson Athletics Communication Department with a keen focus on the baseball program where he helps to manage the social media platforms. Spencer believes that he has achieved excellence in the classroom because his professors at Clemson have taught him what it means to truly learn and have an enriching academic experience. To Spencer, excellence is not just about earning high grades, but is also about being able apply what is learned to his future career. Congrats Spencer, we are excited to see the great things you will accomplish in the world of sports in the future!
Learn more about Spencer in this video!
Outstanding Academic Achievement Award (Communication)
Brooke Tannehill
This award is presented to a graduating senior with an outstanding academic record in Communication. This award is given annually to a student in recognition of their outstanding performance in the classroom, academic achievement, involvement in the program, creative effort, and character.
Brooke is a graduating Senior Communication student who has always been a people person. When she was looking at Clemson, she was deciding between marketing and communication and the communication department’s exclusive program that utilized a small classroom style stood out to her. From her time at Clemson, Brooke has come to realize that communication is her strength and music is her passion which has led her to pursue a career path in the music industry. Brooke believes that the best way to learn communication is to actually experience in a work environment. For this reason, Brooke has had a variety of internships while at Clemson and is currently a student worker for Clemson online, Press intern for Chuff Media in London. Congrats Brooke, we are glad that you could use communication to follow your passion and are excited to see what you do in the future!
Learn more about Brooke in this video!
Award for Excellence in Diversity and Communication
Tahj Robinson
This award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging diversity in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical issues in their communities or on a global scale.
Tahj is a graduating Senior Communication student. Tahj chose to be a part of Clemson’s Communication program because he loves talking to people and studying culture and has always wanted to be a Clemson student. Tahj seeks out opportunities to accept people in the Clemson community who are similar and different than him and has done this with the Connections program and as a Resident Assistant on campus. One of Tahj’s favorite parts about being a student at Clemson has been being able to meet people from across the world. To him, it is so amazing that he has been able to meet so many people that are very different from him but still have grown to be his best and lifelong friends. Congrats Tahj, we can’t wait to see where your future takes you!
Learn more about Tahj in this video!
Award for Excellence in Civic Leadership
Brooke Fletcher
This award is given annually to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging topics relevant to the quality of public life in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical issues in their communities through applied research or service learning.
Brooke is a rising senior communication major. Brooke loved working on the yearbook in high school which initially drew her to graphic communication. She soon realized she was missing writing and interviewing and switched to communication. Brooke is passionate about creating spaces where people feel comfortable to share their story with her and then using her abilities and resources to broadcast it. In addition to her work in the department, Brooke is involved with the Community Outreach Servent Team of FCA where she partners with different non-profit organizations in the area to help with whatever they might need. This gave her an opportunity to listen to the stories of people who have lived in the area all of their lives and make a deeper connection with the community. Brooke advises prospective students to put themselves out there with professors, classmates, and friends and get to know people. Congrats Brooke, we are excited to see the great things you do in the future!
Learn more about Brooke in this video!
The Doreen Geddes Memorial Award for Excellence in Women and Communication
Na-Dya Gamble
Dr. Doreen Geddes was one of the first female chairs to serve at Clemson University. Dr. Geddes was actively involved in issues related to student civic and academic engagement and was particularly interested as a researcher in the lived experiences of women. To honor Dr. Geddes’ memory, the Department of Communication annually recognizes an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in engaging issues relevant to women’s lives in their personal, academic, and/or civic endeavors. Particular consideration is given to candidates who have addressed timely and critical women’s issues in the communities or on a global scale.
Na-Dya is a senior pursuing a Communication major and Political Science and Sociology minors from Greeleyville, South Carolina. During her tenure at Clemson, Na-Dya has been a volunteer for Tigerama planning committee, a member of the Clemson Pursuit planning committee, is the president of her sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and is an intern with Clemson Athletics.
Na-Dya chose to pursue a degree in communication because she saw it as a springboard that could launch her into a variety of different professions later on in life. One thing that stands out to Na-Dya about Clemson’s Department of Communication is how the professors allow students to be creative in all of their endeavors. When Na-Dya found herself in the hospital for a month, it was her communications professors who were constantly checking on her and emailing her. While this was to ensure she was aware of any upcoming coursework, her professors were also concerned about her physical and mental well-being. It is this consideration and empathy of the professors that sets the Department of Communication apart from other majors for Na-Dya.
The Communication Outstanding Graduate Teacher Award
Hannah Chumley
This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in classroom instruction, advising, and mentorship, supporting the Department of Communication and Clemson’s land-grant mission.
Hannah is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. Throughout her pursuit of the MACTS program here at Clemson, Hannah’s initial reluctancy towards teaching became one of her greatest strengths. She has taken the challenge as an opportunity to grow her skillset and engage her undergraduate students. After graduation this May, Hannah hopes to go on to work for a non-profit and continue her studies of health communication. During her time at Clemson, Hannah has worked in the Pearce Center for Professional Communication. Congratulations Hannah, and best of luck in your future endeavors.
Learn more about Hannah in this video!
The Communication Outstanding Graduate Researcher Award
Sai Mikkilineni
This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in conducting original research, assisting on faculty research projects, presenting at conferences and/or publishing scholarship, bringing recognition to our program, department, and university.
Sai is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. In India, Sai earned his B.A. in Mass Communication, Conversational English, and Political Science. Additionally, he earned a M.A. in Mass Communication and Journalism. His passion is research, and he will be continuing to research sport communication as he begins the Doctoral program in Communication at the University of Alabama following graduation this May. During his time at Clemson, Sai was a senator on Graduate Student Government, a member of the College of Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences Student Advisory Board, and a member of the E-Sports Club. Congratulations Sai, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will continue to achieve.
Learn more about Sai in this video!
The Communication Award for Outstanding Communication in Practice
Tanisha Tak
This award recognizes the graduate student who has demonstrated excellence in communication in applied and business contexts, has fostered community relationships in for profit and/or non-profit contexts, and who has prioritized stakeholder relationships.
Tanisha is a graduate student in the Masters in Communication, Technology and Society (MACTS) program. After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media from Arkansas State University, Tanisha was offered the Assistant Director position in the Communication Center at Clemson. Tanisha’s advice for undergraduate students is to go ahead and apply for graduate school. After seeing gender inequality first-hand growing up in India, Tanisha has developed a passion for women’s education and feminism. She hopes to use her education and research to help find the intersection between communication and women’s movements. Congratulations Tanisha, and we cannot wait to see all the amazing things you will continue to achieve.
Learn more about Tanisha in this video!
