The Kathryn Lasky Award for Public Service recognizes the student or student team whose performance in the major exemplifies the highest achievement within the goals of the program and whose work in service to community demonstrates the best uses of disciplinary practice. Eligibility includes Communication, Media Studies, and double majors in Communication and Media Studies. This award is named for our former colleague, Prof. Lasky, whose vision shaped the Media Studies program.
2025 Recipient, Kelly Lauricella
With this award, we recognize Kelly’s exceptional commitment to applying her media expertise in service to the larger community. Her work demonstrate how communication and media skills can have meaningful impacts, embodying the highest aspirations of our field.
“Kelly may be the only USM graduate to become an opera aficionada while pursuing a degree in media studies. Over the past year, she has worked diligently in support of Opera Maine’s mission to ‘foster young operatic talent and provide educational opportunities related to opera.’ Kelly’s capstone project focused on reigniting the Opera Maine Teens program through research, outreach, and recruitment.“
– Dennis Gilbert, Instructor of the media studies capstone course.
