IUP has recognized several Communications Media graduates with alumni awards. The IUP Alumni Association presents IUP's highest alumni honor, the Distinguished Alumni Award, recognizing graduates who have achieved distinction in their profession or demonstrated distinguished service to the university.
Young Alumni Achievement Award Winners
Lindsay Ward, BS Communications Media, 2008
Lindsay received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2023. At the time of the award, she was the morning news anchor at KDKA TV, a CBS affiliate in Pittsburgh, PA.
Brandon Roudebush, BS Communications Media, 2010
Brandon received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2022. At the time of the award, he was the founder and executive producer at Pixelab Studios.
Jonnee' Tonsel, BS Communications Media, 2009
Jonnee' received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2016. At the time of the award, she was a project manager for Comedy Central's Brand Creative Team.
Luke Bowen, BS Communications Media, 2005
Luke is the owner and co-founder of Evil Genius Beer Company in Philadelphia. Luke received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2017.
Trey Davenport, BS Communications Media, 2004
Trey received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2014 when he was an animation producer for Gearbox Studios.
Joel Goodling, BS Communications Media, 2004
Joel is an Emmy Award-winning producer who was working for MTV networks and Spike TV as a writer/producer/director in 2011 when he received the Young Alumni Achievement Award.
Marissa Carney, BS Communications Media, 2000
Marissa was the Bedford Bureau reporter for WTAJ-TV in Altoona when she was recognized with the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2005.
Kirk Fleming, BS Communications Media, 1994
Kirk received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2008.
Darron Trobetsky, BS Communications Media, 1994
Darron received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 2002. He is pictured here on a recent visit to IUP to talk about his work with Nike.
Lori Ratay Patten, BS Communications Media, 1992
Lori received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 1999.
Maureen Walsh Bennett, BS Communications Media, 1991
Maureen received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 1995 when she was manager of Affiliate Relations for FOX Broadcasting.
Gordon Murray, BS Communications Media, 1981
Gordon received the Young Alumni Achievement Award in 1986.
Distinguished Alumni
Colin Helms, BS Communications Media, 1993
Colin was the head of media for TED Talks when he received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017.
James Rose, BS Communications Media, 1990
James received, in 2017, the Distinguished Alumni Award as president and general manager of Tegna Media.
Jon Sinclair, BS Communications Media, 1990
Jon received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2014 when he was executive vice president and executive producer for Harpo Productions.
Scott Blasey, BS Communications Media, 1987
Scott, lead singer for the Clarks, received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004. The Clarks formed in the early '80s when Scott and his band-mates were IUP students.
Steve Pasierb, MEd in Communications Media, 1986
Steve received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008 as president and CEO of the Partnership for a Drug-Free America.
John Bodnar, BS Communications Media, 1983
With a long career as a videographer for CNN, John received the Distinguished Alumni award in 2010.
Gregory Joseph, BS Communications Media, 1983
Gregory, one of the founding members of the Clarks, received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2004.
Jerry Salandro, BS Communications Media, 1976
Jerry received the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2008.
Alumni Scholar Award
Bradley Wiggins, PhD Communications Media, 2011
The College of Education and Communications recognized Bradley Wiggins as the 2016 Alumni Scholar. At the time of the award, Wiggins was an associate professor and chair of the Department of Media Communications at Webster University in Vienna, Austria. Brad received his PhD in Communications Media and Instructional Technology in 2011.