The students below are recognized not simply as acknowledgment of high grades or completed assignments—they were chose for their intellectual journeys, creative breakthroughs, and personal growth through academic achievement. These students have demonstrated scholarly excellence and the resilience necessary to thrive in challenging times.
Outstanding Graduating Seniors
Every year, the faculty of Communication and Media Studies gather to nominate and vote on students for the award of Outstanding Graduating Senior in each Department major. It is a competitive field and a difficult decision to make from our outstanding student body. Here are the recipients who rose to the top:
2025 Recipients
Caitlin Guthrie, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Communication
Christian Richter, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Communication
“I walked into USM without a clue on what I wanted to focus on. For the first year here, I was undeclared and left wondering what would be practical and useful to me. That is when I felt like pursuing communication for my degree. Three years later, I have no regrets about choosing this path. USM has such an amazing sense of community and support that I have found among both my fellow students and faculty. I have never once had a professor that was not approachable, understanding, and motivated in their work. Through my study plan in the CMS program, I have been able to explore my interests in social media, interpersonal communication, and culture while also further developing my writing, speaking, and critical thinking skills. These opportunities have not only made me feel more confident about my career path after graduation but also as a confident speaker and listener who is more open, thoughtful, and empathetic.” -Christian
Grace Treadwell, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Media Studies
Cayley Bowman, Outstanding Graduating Senior in Media Studies
Isabelle Hurly, Outstanding Communication Scholar
Ella Compton, Outstanding Communication Scholar
Kelly Lauricella, Kathryn Lasky Award for Public Service
A summa cum laude graduate with a major in both Communication and Media Studies, Lydia Simmons is equally gifted in applied journalism and academic scholarship. Her exceptional gifts for independent inquiry and imaginative, systematic research identify her as the top candidate for this year’s Outstanding Communication Scholar Award.
Lydia Simmons, Outstanding Communication Scholar
A summa cum laude graduate with a major in both Communication and Media Studies, Lydia Simmons is equally gifted in applied journalism and academic scholarship. Her exceptional gifts for independent inquiry and imaginative, systematic research identify her as the top candidate for this year’s Outstanding Communication Scholar Award.