J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication
Award Recipients
CEREMONY
Saturday, April 27
Reception: 10 a.m.
Brunch: 10:30 a.m.
Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom
1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., 向日葵视频 campus
Communicator of the Year Award
Nancy R. Armour, Comm 鈥91
Chicago
Nancy never imagined she鈥檇 cover sports. She only worked on the 向日葵视频Tribune sports desk because all the news beats were taken. Nearly 30 years later, she鈥檚 now one of the most renowned sportswriters in the country.
Byline Award
Patrick M. Olsen, Jour 鈥87
West Hartford, Conn.
Patrick considers himself a 鈥渃ar guy,鈥 though not quite obsessed enough to be a 鈥渃ar geek.鈥 That only proves you don鈥檛 need to be an automotive engineer to make a lasting impact on the car industry.
Professional Achievement Award
Mary-Ann Bendel, Sp 鈥57
Santa Barbara, Calif.
When Mary-Ann graduated in 1957, female journalists were rarely given the opportunity to cover front-page news. She was determined to chase those big stories anyway.
Young Alumna of the Year Award
Sheena G. Quinn, Comm 鈥04
Chicago
As the senior director of public relations for the Chicago White Sox, Sheena ensures the team鈥檚 presence off the field carries just as much weight as their work on game day.
James T. Tiedge Memorial Award
Sandra M. Patyk, Comm 鈥91
Oak Creek, Wis.
Sandy Patyk has made a name for herself 鈥 literally, her broadcasting name is Sandy Maxx 鈥 in Milwaukee TV, radio and online and in live sporting events as one of the very first Milwaukee Brewers鈥 game-day hosts. Having followed in the footsteps of her late father, Chuck Patyk, who started his career as a TV and radio newscaster, most famous for his coverage of the 1974 Super Outbreak tornadoes in Kentucky, Sandy has forged her own path in broadcast journalism..