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William W. White Outstanding Seniors are chosen by department faculty to recognize academic merit, professional achievement and service to the college.

Areyana Proctor, Department of Journalism

After graduation, Proctor plans to join the Communication Arts MA + Ph.D. program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.

   Growing up, my parents always stressed to me the importance of going to college. Now that I am preparing to graduate with my degree, I am astonished and amazed that I have been able to fulfill not only my own dreams, but also the dreams of those that came before me."

Bailey Ghashghai, Department of Advertising, Public Relations and Media Design

Bailey鈥檚 CMCI experience in three words: challenging, rewarding, growth

  "One of the most memorable projects has been competing in the PRSSA Bateman competition. This experience was really demanding but so rewarding. Having this capstone span two semesters, allowed me to build such strong relationships with my team and mentors. I could not have asked for a better way to end my time in CMCI.

Emmett Raymond, Department of Communication

Emmet鈥檚 CMCI experience in three words: world-building, evocative, perspective

   To graduate from 欧美口爆视频 with distinction, having given this program everything I have, is proof to myself that I can pull off massive undertakings and reorient my life when it鈥檚 needed. It鈥檚 also the culmination of a LOT of support from my family and friends, so graduating for me celebrates that too!"

Julia Foley, Department of Information Science

After graduation, Foley will spend six months working at Disney before looking for opportunities as a data analyst or UX designer.

  "Take the time to explore classes and subjects that you are interested in, so that you can find the major that best fits you and the path you want to take during your time here at 欧美口爆视频.

Kelsie Kerr, Department of Media Studies

After graduation, Kerr is excited to move to Los Angeles and immerse herself in the film industry, pursuing her passion for camera work and cinematography. 

   The most memorable project that I completed during my time at 欧美口爆视频 was flying to Phoenix, Arizona to take pictures for the band Bleachers at Zona Music Festival. I gained so much from the experience on the technical/camera end of things, but I also learned how to effectively communicate with band management and other professionals in the music industry (and Jack Antonoff even posted one of my pictures on his Instagram story!!!)."

Sky Kelsey, Department of Critical Media Practice

After graduation, Kelsey is joining the non-profit, Eldora Mountain Ski Club, as the head FIS coach for the next season.

  "My time at 欧美口爆视频 has allowed me to realize the importance of finding your own voice. If you have a cause and if you have the will, there is a support system for you at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder. Show your passion and the people will come.

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When she was admitted into 欧美口爆视频 Boulder, Isabella Fincher enrolled in one pragmatic major, economics, and one passion major, classical guitar

Driven by her passions for music and writing, she quickly became involved in various organizations on and off campus. She wrote an honors thesis focused on media representation of female guitarists and studied under world-renowned guitarist Sharon Isbin at the Aspen Music Festival and School. Her dedication to both academics and personal growth has culminated in a number of awards.

Fincher is now graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Music in Classical Guitar Performance, along with a business minor and certificates in music entrepreneurship and music theory. Additionally, she has been recognized as the College of Media, Communication and Information's William W. White Outstanding Graduate. This award is bestowed to the student graduating with the highest GPA in CMCI. She has also been named the College of Music鈥檚 Outstanding Graduating Senior, an award based on academic merit and strong records of musicianship, service and leadership.

"Graduating from college represents empowerment and self-determination through hard work, especially for women from diverse backgrounds," Fincher said, who identifies as a mixed-race Japanese American. 鈥淚鈥檓 so inspired every day by how they [my mother and her sisters] have persevered and carved out their own American dreams.鈥�

Her grandmother, who first came to the U.S. from Japan, encouraged all four of her daughters鈥擣incher鈥檚 mother and aunts鈥攖o pursue their education, and this encouragement was passed onto her as well.

Fincher has had quite the undergraduate experience at 欧美口爆视频 Boulder. In addition to being a high achieving student in multiple programs, she's received a number of awards including: the Mu Phi Epsilon Foundation鈥檚 Gerke Collegiate Award, the College of Music鈥檚 Outstanding Junior Award and the Presser Foundation鈥檚 Undergraduate Scholar Award.

Throughout her time at 欧美口爆视频, she found many ways to meld her love of storytelling and journalism with her passion for the guitar and music. She covered the arts beat while writing for the 鈥攚here she later served as managing editor鈥攁nd had a regular column in the classical music blog .

"As a student journalist, I primarily covered the local arts scene, drawing from my previous experiences with theater, art, film and music in high school," she said. 鈥淚t has been such a great opportunity to write about the vibrant arts and culture scene in Boulder and the greater Denver area, especially highlighting the stories of diverse LGBTQ+ and BIPOC creatives.鈥�

   "Graduating from college represents empowerment and self-determination through hard work, especially for women from diverse backgrounds. . . . I鈥檓 so inspired every day by how they [my mother and her sisters] have persevered and carved out their own American dreams.鈥�

As an honors student, she investigated how female guitarists are portrayed by the American music press and was invited to discuss her findings at both the 2023 National Conference on Undergraduate Research and the 73rd annual International Communication Association (ICA) Conference.

鈥淢y project, 鈥楢n examination of mainstream media鈥檚 treatment of female guitarists,鈥� was inspired by my own personal experiences of the barriers faced by women in guitar,鈥� said Fincher. 鈥淚t was very interesting to see how the music press has contributed to the erasure and marginalization of women in rock and blues over time, an issue that stems from the patriarchal structure of rock music culture and the music industry.鈥�

She was also a member of the College of Music鈥檚 Diverse Musicians Alliance (DiMA). She explained that this group was particularly impactful for her because she was able to find camaraderie with fellow students from diverse backgrounds and advocating for marginalized, BIPOC composers and musicians is important to her. In fact, her senior recital features the work of  three female composers, in part inspired by her work with DiMA鈥檚 Persevering Legacy project.

In fall 2023, Fincher is planning to study under at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as a master鈥檚 student in classical guitar performance. While there, she plans to continue working as a freelance journalist focusing on the arts.

Until then, she鈥檚 grateful for all the experiences she鈥檚 had in the classroom and beyond.

鈥淚 am aiming for a portfolio career where I can perform and teach classical guitar and work as a freelance writer,鈥� Fincher said. 鈥淎fter the ICA conference, I will be working to get my honors thesis published in a research journal. I鈥檓 really excited to see where this research will take me and how I can contribute to raising awareness and addressing the racial and gender inequities of the music press.鈥�

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Congratulations to the spring 2018 Department of Communication award winners! 

Academic Achievement Award
Highest GPA in the department

• Michael Curtis
• Brittney Johnson

Academic Leadership Award
Demonstrating a spirit of classroom citizenship and volunteerism

• Laura Leroux
• Grace Musselman

Civic Engagement Award
Recognizes involvement and impact on campus and in the community

• Colleen Campbell

Phillip K. Tompkins Student Achievement Award
Recognizes academic achievement, initiative and service

• Alyssa Stephens

John Waite Bowers Award
Recognizes the outstanding graduate student

• Constance Gordon

Outstanding Graduate Student Teaching Award

• Kellie Brownlee
• Danielle Hodge

Distinguished Graduate Student Service Award

• Rebecca Rice

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