Class of 2020 Commencement events to be held Sept. 17-19

Syracuse University will host a Commencement ceremony—delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic—and other celebratory events for the Class of 2020 during the weekend of Sept. 17–19.  

Commencement will be held Sept. 19 at 10 a.m. at the Stadium. This University-wide ceremony, where Syracuse University Chancellor and President Kent Syverud will formally confer degrees, is for all undergraduate, graduate and doctoral candidates. Doors open at 8 a.m.

Following Commencement, all 2020 Newhouse graduates and their families are invited to join Dean Mark J. Lodato and the faculty and staff for a celebratory reception. The event will include a dean’s welcome, recognition of participating graduates and an opportunity to reconnect with faculty. A precise time and location will be announced soon; stay tuned for details.

For more information about Commencement activities for the Class of 2020, see the event listing.

Balancing Act: When to Trust Your Gut 

As graduate students at Newhouse, we navigate a constant tension between what we think we should do and what we want to do. The pressure to make the “right” career moves can be overwhelming, with professors, peers and industry professionals all offering their versions of the ideal path forward. Yet sometimes, the most powerful guidance comes from within. 

The Science Behind Gut Feelings 

What we call “gut feelings” aren’t just random hunches. Research shows that our intuition is actually our brain processing years of accumulated experiences and patterns at lightning speed. When something feels “off” about a job opportunity or “right” about a creative direction, that’s your neural network making connections you might not consciously recognize, applying past learnings to inform present decisions (Nogrady 2024).  

My Experience 

I experienced this firsthand when considering law school. Everything looked perfect on paper – I took the LSAT, applied to schools and got accepted. Then something inside me shut down. It wasn’t nerves or fear; I had simply sold myself a version of myself as a lawyer that didn’t align with my reality. While I haven’t abandoned that dream entirely, my current program allows me to attend law classes while pursuing a path that feels authentically mine. This experience taught me to trust myself and trust what my body is telling me (it’s really smart!).  

Inexplicable Inner Imperative 

I found validation for this intuitive approach in Bill Watterson’s 1990 Kenyon College commencement speech, “Some Thoughts on the Real World by One Who Glimpsed It and Fled.” He described painting Michelangelo’s “Creation of Adam” on his dorm room ceiling, saying, “The painting lent an air of cosmic grandeur to my room, and it seemed to put life into a larger perspective.”

Despite its apparent futility, this project, born from an “inexplicable inner imperative,” became one of his fondest memories. Like Watterson’s pull to paint on his dorm room wall, we often receive inner guidance that defies immediate logical explanation. 

Finding Your Balance 

The real challenge isn’t choosing between ambition and intuition – it’s harmonizing them. This might mean accepting a prestigious internship but approaching it in alignment with your values or choosing a less conventional opportunity and finding ways to make it serve your larger goals. 

For me, the journey required humility. I dreaded telling everyone that I was deviating from my long-declared path. But here’s what I discovered: no one cared as much as I feared. Now I feel both freer and more grounded in my choices. 

Moving Forward 

As you navigate your choices at Newhouse and beyond, remember that your gut isn’t trying to sabotage your success – it’s trying to help you define what success means for you. Sometimes the most ambitious thing you can do is trust yourself enough to forge your own path. 

The next time you’re faced with a difficult decision, try this: write down all the logical pros and cons, then sit quietly and notice how each option feels in your body. Does one create tension while the other brings relief? Does excitement outweigh anxiety, or vice versa? These physical sensations are data, too – different from but no less valid than the metrics on a spreadsheet. 

Your time at Newhouse is about more than just building your resume. It’s about developing the wisdom to know when to push forward with determination and when to pause and listen to that quiet voice within. And remember, you are doing the best you can.  

Study and Unwind: Bookstores and Libraries Worth Checking Out

I will be honest: campus libraries are not for me. While there are quiet corners to hide away in when I want to focus or be undisturbed otherwise, finding said corners empty is almost impossible.  

If you face the same problem, here are three bookstores or libraries outside of campus that I like to duck out to for refuge: 

Parthenon Books (333-335 S. Salina St.) 

Located in downtown Syracuse, Parthenon Books is an independently owned bookstore that is a favorite among students and locals alike. The cool layout, warm ambiance and carefully curated selection make it an ideal spot to browse for new reads or settle in with a laptop. As if that was not enough, this charming bookstore has an in-house cafe with the most delicious selection of baked goods and coffee. 

Parthenon also regularly hosts author events, book signings and discussions that offer students an opportunity to engage beyond their coursework. The seating areas are comfortable, and the relaxed environment makes it a great place for study sessions with a bit of leisurely reading sprinkled in (because who can resist a good book?!).  

Onondaga County Public Libraries: Central Library (447 S. Salina St.) 

With its award-winning local history department, the Central Library is a hidden gem. The collection includes a wide range of books, research materials and digital resources, making it an important resource for students needing access to additional academic materials.

This library is in the Galleries of Syracuse, a downtown complex that also houses a food court, DVDs, CDs and a peaceful ambiance that can be a welcome escape from campus life. With its glass exteriors, ample natural lighting and open seating, the Central Library makes for an inviting place to study and offers a quieter alternative for those who prefer it to be so. 

Petit Branch Library (105 Victoria Pl.) 

For those who find inspiration in artsy and/or community-oriented settings, the Petit Branch Library in the Westcott neighborhood is a must-visit. Part of the Onondaga County Public Library system, it offers a peaceful environment for focused studying or quiet reading. 

There are computers and wireless printing available, and the library’s collection provides a wide range of materials in multiple formats. Petit also supports local artists, whose works are displayed on the walls of the library in featured exhibits each month. With comfortable seating and quiet corners for distraction-free study sessions, the library’s accessibility makes it an excellent alternative to university spaces. 

Exploring such local libraries has not only enhanced my student experience but also revealed to me the city’s literary and artistic community. Students seeking a different environment for studying or relaxing will find that these independent bookstores and libraries offer unique atmospheres beyond campus life.   

From Rural to Urban: My Experience Moving to Syracuse

I keep forgetting to turn my headlights on. This was not a problem before I moved out to Syracuse because I have never lived in an area where there are streetlights on every road. I am not used to being able to see so clearly down the street at night or all of the details of the road before I even start my car. So, I will not realize my lights are not on until I look down to check my dashboard and the speedometer is not lit up.  

Moving to Syracuse was a huge transition for me. First, because I had never been to the East Coast before. And second, because this is my first time living in what could be considered an actual city. I grew up in eastern Oregon, and it is the part of the state no one knows about that’s currently petitioning to become “Greater Idaho.” My hometown rests at just around 1,500 people. The Newhouse School alone has a higher population. I grew up driving hours in any direction in order to get to a Costco or a Walmart.  

For my undergraduate degree I studied at Montana State University in Bozeman, Montana. This was a big leap for me with a whopping population of about 50,000 permanent residents. Bozeman’s main draw is its university, and I was afforded luxuries I had never had before; like a Target less than 20 minutes away.  

After completing my bachelor’s degree, I moved back with my family to the small town of approximately 3,000 people in McCall, Idaho. Then, I decided to attend Syracuse University for my graduate degree.  

I know some people may fight me on the idea of Syracuse being an actual city. Because, no, it is not a metropolitan area like New York or Philadelphia or Chicago, but I have never been somewhere where there are so many people stacked on top of each other. And it is the little things that make being in a city like this exciting. I have never been somewhere where there is a public transit system that covers as much of the city as Centro does. I cannot explain how exciting it is to have shops open after 7 p.m. And there are professional sports teams based in the city; that is something I have never been able to experience.  

It has taken some adjusting to live here. City traffic really is as bad as people have said and I do miss the quiet nights out in the country. And while Syracuse is not a huge city, it is probably a great starter city for someone like me experiencing all of this for the first time.

Streamline: What Everyone’s Watching, All in One Place

It’s incredibly frustrating, isn’t it? I’m constantly running into the same problem. I know I want to watch that one show everyone’s talking about, but then the real challenge begins: where is it? Is it on Hulu? Maybe Netflix? Or is it one of those Max Originals? I’ll open one app, search, come up empty and then repeat the process with another, and another. It’s a complete waste of time. And even when you do finally find it, you’ve already burned through a good chunk of your evening just trying to locate it. I mean, aren’t you tired of endlessly scrolling through streaming platforms, hoping you’ll stumble across something you want to watch? It’s supposed to be entertainment, but the search process itself has become so stressful. There has got to be a better way to navigate. 

Recently, I started working with a company whose goal is to make your life easier when it comes to streaming your favorite shows, movies and sports. Streamline is a new, free mobile app designed to rescue you from the streaming chaos. It acts as a central hub, connecting you with your favorite sports, shows and movies across over 200 different streaming services. Instead of jumping between apps, Streamline lets you discover new content through personalized, AI-powered recommendations and playlists.  

You can even connect with friends to share and discuss what you’re watching, and now, that connection is even stronger with the brand-new group chat feature! Think about it: how many times have you finished an episode and immediately wanted to talk about it with someone? Now, those conversations happen right within the app. It’s incredibly convenient and makes the whole streaming experience much more engaging. Share your reactions in real-time, get recommendations and connect with your friends over the content you love.  

Streamline is also very helpful for sports fans, making it easy to find where and when your favorite teams are playing. This scheduling feature eliminates the frustration of searching across multiple sports channels and apps. Essentially, Streamline‘s goal is to minimize your search time and maximize your viewing time with the addition of group chats. It’s becoming a true community for streaming enthusiasts and the app is available now on the Apple App Store, with a Google Play store release coming soon. 

Don Pawlowski, Brandon Wetzel and Ryan Schreiber co-founded Streamline to solve the challenge of finding content that is spread across numerous streaming platforms.

Schreiber’s inspiration for Streamline stemmed from his frustration with the growing number of streaming platforms, he said. As he explained in a recent interview with Lay Of The Land, he wanted to create a single destination where users could easily find anything they wanted to watch, regardless of which service it was on. He wanted a platform that would not only simplify content discovery but also foster a sense of community around shared viewing experiences.

According to an Axios article, Schreiber’s ambition for Streamline goes beyond just streamlining searches; he wants it to become a central hub for TV conversation, a place where people can discuss and connect over their favorite shows. He thinks Streamline will become “Good Reads for TV.” 

So what are you waiting for? Isn’t your time valuable? Don’t you want your life to be just a little bit easier? We all know how hectic things can get here at Newhouse. Between school, work, family, social commitments and everything else life throws our way, your schedule is probably packed enough as it is. You don’t need to be wasting any more precious time endlessly searching and scrolling through a dozen different streaming platforms, trying to find that one show everyone’s talking about or figure out where your favorite team is even playing. That’s valuable time you could be spending relaxing and enjoying the content you love. Join Streamline today and reclaim those lost hours! Imagine: no more frustrating searches, no more jumping between apps, just easy access to all your favorite entertainment in one convenient place.

Download Streamline now and start spending less time searching and more time watching!

Overcoming Imposter Syndrome

Do you ever feel as though everything you do will never be enough?  

Feelings of self-doubt linger in many minds when embarking on the prodigious expedition that is graduate school. Prodigious (which means huge) is just one of the many SAT words I have heard from a peer while studying at Syracuse University. For some, a lack of understanding of such terms can lead to self-doubt and questioning their worthiness of being in a graduate program. While this may seem like an exaggerated reaction to a single word, it is a very common feeling relating to something called “imposter syndrome.” 

Let us explore the journey that many individuals undertake in overcoming this persistent and prevalent challenge. 

What is imposter syndrome? 

According to Psychology Today, imposter syndrome is a “psychological pattern experienced by many high-achieving individuals.” Despite their successes, these people often feel like they are not as competent or intelligent as others perceive them to be. They doubt their abilities and fear being exposed as frauds, even though they have earned their achievements through hard work and talent. They believe their accomplishments are undeserved and that they’re fooling everyone. 

A study done in 2020 by the National Cancer Institute evaluated the prevalence of imposter syndrome, showing 56% to 82% in graduate students, college students, nurses, medical students and other professions.

“For many graduate students, imposter syndrome manifests itself in negative comparisons to other students, a sense that they aren’t cut out for graduate coursework or don’t belong in the academy, or that they only got into graduate school by luck and don’t deserve to be there,” states an article on imposter syndrome from Arizona State University’s (ASU) Graduate College. Imposter syndrome may be a persistent issue for many, but providing appropriate support can help students and trainees navigate its challenges. 

How can it affect you? 

Imposter syndrome can significantly impact your well-being, going beyond feelings of guilt or discomfort. It often coexists with depression and anxiety, intensifying these conditions.

For graduate students, persistent self-doubt can lead to “avoiding opportunities and challenges, fear submitting work for review, participating in team projects, and failing to initiate for fear of being judged or found out,” writes Steven. R Shaw in Psychology Today. Shaw is an associate professor in the Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology at McGill University.

Imposter syndrome thrives in an academic setting because of the constant assumption that graduate students are expected to be super genius know-it-alls. The common myths and misconceptions about how to be successful and the unfair treatment of some students can make it hard for them to feel good about their abilities. 

Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome 

While reading the article from ASU, I kept coming across the word “resilience.” This means “the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.” As a graduate student, you are faced with many adversities that you are forced to overcome. By weathering these challenges, you are developing resilience to help you in your future career. To help you overcome the inevitable setbacks of imposter syndrome, here are three strategies I practice that have eased my nerves significantly:   

1. After reading a blog from a former Newhouse student Emily Newman, I realized talking to trusted peers and mentors, or seeking professional counseling, can help you realize that these feelings are common and can provide validation to help you through it.  

2. Creating a list of accomplishments and areas for improvement can help individuals focus on their positive attributes and identify areas for growth. 

3. Setting realistic expectations and avoiding perfectionism is another important strategy by recognizing that progress is often incremental, individuals can reduce the pressure to be flawless and focus on continuous learning 

Conclusion 

Conquering imposter syndrome requires a combination of self-awareness, support and intentional strategies. By acknowledging how common these feelings are, seeking support from peers and mentors, recognizing your strengths and setting realistic expectations, you can challenge the self-doubt that causes your imposter syndrome. Remember, your journey in graduate school is a testament to your abilities and potential.  

Newhouse Creative Advertising Students Win an Outstanding 220 Awards in 2024

Newhouse creative advertising students shattered expectations last year, winning 220 awards across 15 of the world’s most esteemed student advertising competitions. The ideas, recognized by Cannes Future Lions, the Clio Awards and more, pushed creative boundaries and redefined what’s possible.

Every piece of award-winning work was created in the Newhouse creative advertising program in portfolio courses taught by Mel White and Kevin O’Neill, both professors of practice. These awards not only showcase individual talent but also highlight the program’s ability to produce the next generation of industry leaders.

Cannes Future Lions Grand Prix: The Hardest Award in the World for Creative Advertising Students to Win

With entries from an astounding 245 schools in 59 countries, only one student team was chosen as the Cannes Future Lions Grand Prix winner. That student team came from the Newhouse School at Syracuse University.

Marlana Bianchi, art director, and Molly Egan, copywriter, won for their digital AI idea for Spotify, titled “Break the Sound Barrier” (video), which they created in Portfolio III taught by White in the creative track for advertising majors at Newhouse.

Their idea makes music streaming more inclusive to the deaf community by adding sign language performances to the Spotify platform. In their idea, deaf performers translate lyrics seamlessly into sign language by memorizing lyrics and the beat ahead of time, while dancing to the beats of the songs.

By incorporating deaf performers and using deepfake technology for social good, the idea scales deaf performances into over 300 sign languages for each song on the platform. Musicians will also have the choice to opt into “Break the Sound Barrier” to generate them signing with deepfake technology.

Bianchi and Egan’s idea responded to the Cannes Future Lions brief, which asked how Spotify could use new technology to spread positivity and uplift underrepresented communities.

Spotify’s creative director Tye M. Comer praised the idea’s impact, highlighting its innovative use of deepfake technology for social good. Spotify chose the Grand Prix winner based on which idea they wanted to explore producing. The company aims to collaborate with Bianchi and Egan to bring their idea to life on the Spotify platform.

Nearly two dozen major publications picked up the story, including Ad Age, Adweek and The Wall Street Journal. The momentous Ad Age headline read: “Syracuse University Creatives Win Future Lions Grand Prix with Spotify Sign Language Project.”

The Newhouse School published a two-part article series on the Grand Prix win.

Part 1: “How 2 Newhouse Students Won the Top Student Creative Advertising Award in the World: The Cannes Future Lions Grand Prix”

Part 2: “Part 2: How 2 Newhouse Students Won the Top Student Creative Advertising Award in the World—the Cannes Future Lions Grand Prix.”

Cannes Future Lions Shortlist Award

The student team of Meiling Xiong and Maggie Mallon won a Cannes Future Lions Shortlist Award for their AI-based idea, “Truth Spotter” (video) for Spotify, marking the first time a feature would identify misinformation in podcasts. Using NewsGuard AI, the feature cross-checks information and ranks podcasts with color codes: red for high, yellow for moderate and green for minimal misinformation. This was created in Portfolio III taught by White in the creative track for advertising majors.

Clio Award

Newhouse creative advertising student Brooke Hirsch, copywriter, won a Clio Shortlist Award for her innovative “AI vs. AI” digital AI idea for The New York Times. Hirsch was one of only 10 winners worldwide in the Clio Student Innovation category of the competition.

She came up with a solution to combat AI-driven misinformation, using AI to detect and counter false content.

“What better way to protect people from false AI content than using AI to detect it?” Hirsch wondered. This thought sparked her idea, which she cleverly titled “AI vs. AI.” Her two-minute “AI vs. AI” case study video shows how this idea would work. This was created in Portfolio III taught by White.

Read the full story about Hirsch’s Clio Award win.

One Show Young Ones: 18 Awards

In the One Show Young Ones competition, the Newhouse School ranked in the top 10 for U.S. undergraduate programs, with creative advertising students winning an impressive 18 awards.

In the ADC competition of One Show Young Ones, Hirsch made her mark, winning a Silver Cube and a Merit Award for “AI vs. AI,” which is featured on the One Show Young Ones website.

Outstandingly, this recognition placed Hirsch in the top five student copywriters in North America, a major achievement. Newhouse creative advertising students also won 10 Shortlist Awards in the One Show Young Ones ADC competition.

In the Brief competition of One Show Young Ones, art director/copywriter duo Ella Fiegener and Quincy Whipple won a Merit Award for their Dove campaign, “Skin Stories” (video), which is also featured on the One Show Young Ones website. This campaign celebrates the natural wrinkles on a woman’s face, reframing them as marks of pride rather than shame. This was created in White’s Portfolio III course.

Also in the Brief competition, two campaigns won Shortlist Awards. They were “Saucy Sounds” (video) for Velveeta by Remi Tsunoda, art director, and Avery Schildhaus, copywriter, and “The Real Housewives of Duolingo” (video) for Duolingo by Meiling Xiong, art director, and Maggie Mallon, copywriter. These campaigns were created in Portfolio III taught by White.

In the Portfolio competition of the One Show Young Ones, Ryan Garret Conner, an art director, won one of nine Portfolio Advertising Awards given worldwide. Six of his campaigns are featured on the One Show Young Ones website in the Portfolio competition section.

Hirsch also earned a Portfolio Advertising Shortlist Award, adding to her impressive list of accomplishments in this competition.

New York Festivals: Eight Awards

Newhouse creative advertising students won eight awards at the New York Festivals, including two Bronze, five Finalist awards, and one Shortlist. Notable work includes Bianchi and Egan’s “Break the Sound Barrier” idea and Hirsch’s “AI vs. AI” idea, both winning Bronze and Finalist recognitions. Finalist awards went to the “Skin Stories” campaign and Sophia Donio and Jenna Byers’ “Map Your Music” campaign for Spotify.

On Spotify, the “Map Your Music” feature enhances travel experiences by playing songs tied to famous landmarks as users pass by them, showing information about the landmark while playing songs connected to it. For example, when someone visits Abbey Road in London, Spotify would start playing “Come Together” by The Beatles. These campaigns were created in Portfolio III taught by White.

D&AD New Blood: One Wood Pencil

Matt Powers, Dara Dilmaghani and Isabella Uribe won a D&AD New Blood Wood Pencil for their self-initiated “Krochet in Komfort” campaign for Kraft Mac & Cheese. Drawing from lessons in White and O’Neill’s portfolio courses, they tackled the brief through late-night Zoom calls, collaborating across time zones. Powers had just graduated from Newhouse, Dilmaghani was in graduate school at Newhouse and Uribe was studying in Sweden at Berghs School of Communication.

Their campaign teams up with popular Generation Z crochet artists to yarn bomb cities. They also created pop-up events that would connect young crafters in person, giving Gen Z the “third places” they so crave. Credits for this campaign went to Syracuse University and Berghs School of Communication.

ADDYs: 15 Awards

Newhouse School creative advertising students won three ADDY District Awards and 12 ADDY Local Awards.

At the ADDY District Awards, the students won one Best in Show, one Gold and one Silver.

Art director/copywriter duo Sophia Donio and Jenna Byers won a Best of Show and Gold Award for their “It’s Obvious” campaign for Tile, which uses exaggerated visuals, like a massive set of keys pushing up a sofa, to show how Tile’s Bluetooth technology makes finding lost items effortless. The headline reads, “We make it obvious where you put your lost object.” This was created in Portfolio II taught by White.

Art director/copywriter duo Greta Hartwyk and Meghan Gulley won a Silver Award for their integrated campaign “Frenemies” for Heineken, which unites fans of opposing football teams, bringing them together over a Heineken. This campaign will surprise fans by upgrading their seats at games. The catch? They must sit right next to a fan of their rival team. This was created in Portfolio III taught by White.

At the ADDYs Local Awards, Newhouse School creative advertising students swept the competition, winning all three Best in Show Awards and 12 of the 14 total awards given. Avery Schildhaus won a Best in Show $1,250 scholarship and two Gold Awards for “Ease of Assembly” for Ikea, created in Portfolio II taught by O’Neill.

The students also won two Best in Show scholarships of $750 and $500, one Mosaic Award (given to a campaign that promotes systemic change through equity and inclusion), two Gold and four Silver Awards.

Read the full story on the ADDYs win

Communication Arts Advertising Annual: Three Awards

Newhouse creative advertising students earned three Shortlist Awards in the Communication Arts Annual Advertising Awards. Victoria Aragi and Kayla Beck won for their integrated ad campaign “Just Let It Go” for eBay. Charlotte Shea and Brooke Hirsch won a shortlist for Volvo’s “Digital Blackout” in the Positive World Impact category. Linxin Wan and Maggie Mallon won for “Mean Well” for Apple, also in Positive World Impact. All work was created in Portfolio III taught by White.

Communication Arts Student Showcase: Two Awards

Two Newhouse creative advertising students won Communication Arts Student Showcase Awards for their first-ever ad campaigns. They were two of only 14 winners in the world in the Communication Arts Student Showcase.

Art directors Tori Aragi and Jordan Leveille won for five advertising campaigns they created in Portfolio I, the first creative advertising course at Newhouse, and one campaign created in Portfolio III, both taught by White. Their work was shown in the March/April 2024 issue of Communication Arts.

Read the full story on the Communication Arts win.

Golden Award of Montreux: Four Awards

At the Golden Award of Montreux, Newhouse School creative advertising students won four of just 25 awards given worldwide. All the awarded work was created in portfolio courses taught by White. One winning campaign “You Can’t Beat a Search Dog” used visual solution advertising to highlight the skills of search dogs. This was created in Portfolio II taught by White.

AEJMC Festival of Visual & Interactive Media: Five Awards

Newhouse creative advertising students swept the competition, winning five of the six total awards given in the advertising category of the national competition. They won a Gold, Silver and Bronze, along with two Honorable Mentions for their ad campaigns created for Volvo “Avoidable Reality,” Volvo “Digital Blackout,” PETA “Cruelty Rebranded,” McDonald’s “Second Favorite Arch” and Pilot Pen “The Necessity in Continuation.” All work was created in Portfolio I and III taught by White.

Graphis New Talent: 54 Awards

Newhouse creative advertising students also excelled in the Graphis New Talent competition, winning 54 total awards. They won seven Gold, 24 Silver and 23 Honorable Mentions, demonstrating excellence across a range of innovative campaigns.

Ads of the World: 107 Selected

Ads of the World selected and published 107 Newhouse student advertising campaigns, an impressive accomplishment as Ads of the World is part of the Clio network. All selected and published works can be viewed on Ads of the World.

All 220 Awards Newhouse Creative Advertising Students Won in 2024

• ADDYs RAF 2024: 12 Awards: Three Best In Show & Scholarships $1,250, $750, $500 (Pages 95-97), One Mosaic Award promoting systemic change through equity and inclusion (Page 84), Four Gold (Pages 90-93), Four Silver (Pages 84, 86, 88, 89)
• ADDYs District Two 2024: Three Awards: One Best in Show, One Gold, One Silver
• Ads of the World: 107 Selected and Published
• AEJMC Festival of Visual & Interactive Media 2024: Five Awards
• Cannes Future Lions 2024: Two Awards: One Grand Prix, One Shortlist
• Clio Awards 2024: One Shortlist Award
• Communication Arts Advertising Annual Nov 2023: Three Shortlist Awards
• Communication Arts Student Showcase 2024: Two Awards (out of 14 given worldwide)
• D&AD New Blood 2024: One Wood Pencil Award
• Golden Award of Montreux 2024: Four Finalist Awards (out of 25 given worldwide)
• Graphis New Talent 2024: 54 Awards: Seven Gold, 24 Silver, 23 Honorable Mentions
• New York Festivals Awards 2024: 8 Awards: Two Bronze, Five Finalist, One Shortlist
• One Show Young Ones ADC Competition 2024: 12 Awards: One Silver Cube, One Merit, 10 Shortlist
• One Show Young Ones Brief Competition 2024: Four Awards: One Merit, Three Shortlist
• One Show Young Ones Portfolio Competition 2024: Two Awards: One Winner, One Shortlist

All 220 creative advertising students’ awards affirm the industry-level talent that comes out of the program.

Life Together Initiative to Host ‘Decoding Deception’ Lecture March 26

On March 26, members of the University community will come together in an interactive lecture session to explore how to confront mis- and disinformation to restore public trust and strengthen democracy.

“Decoding Deception: Advancing Critical Thinking to Strengthen Democracy” will begin at 6 p.m. in Grant Auditorium in the Falk College Complex. Led by Regina Luttrell, senior associate dean and associate professor of public relations in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, and Jason Davis, research professor in the Office of Research and Creativity in the Newhouse School, the session will focus on the critical skills of detection, attribution and characterization, empowering participants to identify and counter deceptive narratives.

The lecture is part of the Life Together: Seeking the Common Good in a Diverse Democracy initiative, led by Gretchen Ritter, vice president of civic engagement and education. The initiative began with an inaugural community conversation in October and expanded this semester.

This event is open to the University community and welcomes all who value informed citizenry and seek actionable strategies to promote a resilient, truth-centered democratic society.

“Part of being an engaged citizen is being well-informed on pertinent public issues. We want to help the members of our campus community to be engaged, thoughtful citizens by helping them to understand whether different sources of information are reliable and trustworthy or suspect and problematic,” says Ritter.

“In an era where trust in civil society is eroding and the shared civic sphere is under strain, this event underscores the importance of regaining public trust in news and information,” Davis says. “By fostering critical thinking and media literacy, attendees will discover how these tools are essential not only for navigating today’s complex information environment but also for safeguarding the principles of democracy.”

“With disinformation everywhere, understanding its long-term impact is critical for protecting democracy, public trust, and informed decision-making,” says Luttrell. “My hope is that people walk away with a deeper understanding of how media manipulation and information ecosystems shape our world and what they can do to assess, challenge and mitigate its harmful effects.”

Luttrell and Davis serve as co-directors of the Newhouse School’s Emerging Insights Lab. The lab serves as a multidisciplinary research center focusing on analytics, artificial intelligence, digital and emerging media as well as an active classroom, and shared lab environment for projects undertaken by faculty and students.

Bob Costas H’15 to Receive Dressler Leadership Award at 2025 Mirror Awards

Bob Costas H’15, one of the most recognizable and authoritative broadcasters in sports whose iconic career includes a record 29 Emmy Awards, will receive the Fred Dressler Leadership Award at the Mirror Awards ceremony June 9 in New York City.

ICT, a nonprofit multimedia news platform that covers the Indigenous world, will receive this year’s Lorraine Branham Award. The honors were announced Thursday by Syracuse University’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, which sponsors the Mirrors.

The Dressler Award is named after Fred Dressler ’63, an influential figure in the cable broadcasting industry until his death in 2007. The award honors individuals or organizations that have made distinct and consistent contributions to the public’s understanding of the media.

Few journalists have done it better or as eloquently as Costas, who has more Emmys than any other sports broadcaster. The versatile Costas has been recognized for excellence in hosting, play-by-play, writing, journalism, interviewing, news and entertainment.

Costas has hosted 12 Olympic Games and seven Super Bowls. He has called or hosted 10 NBA Finals and seven World Series. In addition, Costas hosted the Triple Crown horse races and golf’s U.S. Open for NBC. He has been part of the MLB Network since its inception in 2009, covering a sport he has often said is his favorite.

Costas is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame’s broadcasting wing and the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Hall of Fame. He has been named National Sportscaster of the Year eight times.

Also a member of the WAER Hall of Fame, Costas began his professional career at WSYR-TV and radio in Syracuse in 1973 while attending Newhouse before joining KMOX radio in St. Louis the following year.

Branham Award

Established in 2021 in honor of late Newhouse Dean Emerita Lorraine Branham, the award recognizes a media organization that has worked to promote inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility over the previous year. 

The 2025 honoree, ICT, reaches audiences through digital and broadcast platforms. At the core of ICT’s mission is telling stories about Indigenous communities by Indigenous journalists. Since its inception in 1981 as The Lakota Times weekly newspaper, ICT has grown into the largest multimedia news organization serving Native American communities.

Today, Phoenix-based ICT is owned by IndiJ Public Media, which has five regional bureaus across the country with plans to open five more in the next three years. This localized approach to reporting allows ICT to disseminate stories written and produced by Indigenous journalists through accessible, free, digital and broadcast channels, providing millions of people with news about Indigenous communities around the country every day.

The Dressler and Branham awards are the featured non-juried prizes at the annual Mirror Awards event.

About the Mirror Awards

Established by the Newhouse School in 2006, the Mirror Awards are the preeminent competition in the field of media industry reporting. Prizes are awarded in four juried categories, recognizing the reporters, editors and writers who hold a mirror to their own industry for the public’s benefit.

The competition is open to anyone who conducts reporting, commentary or criticism of the media industries in a format intended for a mass audience. Eligible work includes print, broadcast and online editorial content focusing on the development or distribution of news and entertainment. Winners are chosen by a group of journalists and journalism educators.

Newhouse Student Awards Spring 2025 Roundup

Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication

Newhouse students, faculty and projects had a fantastic showing with 17 wins and five Gold Awards at the Festival of Visual and Interactive Media contest, sponsored by AEJMC’s VISCOM division for the best in design, interactivity, photos, video and advertising. 

Newhouse Students, Faculty Make Exceptional Showing With 22 Honors at AEJMC Festival of Visual and Interactive Media

Intercollegiate Broadcasting System

Orange Television Network (OTN), NCC News and WAER students secured four of the Intercollegiate Broadcasting System’s coveted Golden Mic awards including OTN being named as the Best College/University Television Station. Along with these honors announced in New York City, there were also six finalists in the annual contest. 

Winners:

Best College/University Television Station – OTN – Orange Television Network
Best Sports Update – “9/25 WAER Afternoon Sports,” Ian Nicholas (WAER)
Best News Report – “Chipped Away,“ Newhouse Spotlight Team, John Perik, Lilli Iannella, Finn Lincoln, Julieanne Gilchrist (NCC News)
Best Sports Play by Play – “No. 1 Pitt/Syracuse Volleyball PxP 10/6/24,”  Nico Horning (Syracuse ACC Network Extra)

Finalists

Best Sports Pre-Game/Post-Game Show – “Orange Overtime: UNLV,” Austin Barach  (WAER)
Best Sports Program – “Sideline Squeeze,” Lindsay Arons, Victoria Daly (OTN)
Best Comedy Program – “Floor Four: Episode Two: Smoke Out,” Jamie Christensen, Claire McBride (OTN)
Best Variety Program – “Think Tank,” Truman Lapp, Samantha Rodino, Colin Campbell (OTN)
Best Phone App – OTN – Orange Television Network, OTN Staff and the Lightcast Design Team (OTN)
Best Faculty Adviser – Meg Craig, OTN – Orange Television Network (OTN)

Intercollegiate Broadcasting System’s Golden Mic Award Winners

Hearst Journalism Awards

Newhouse visual communications student Murphy McFarlane placed fifth in the Hearst Journalism Awards Innovative Multimedia contest for her interactive video project on girls’ ice hockey, “As Tough as Ice,” earning a $1,000 scholarship prize.

Recent magazine, news and digital journalism graduate Annie Labarca placed 14^th in the contest for her interactive Erie Canal boat tour produced in MND 505. 

Winners

Multimedia Innovation: Fifth Place, Murphy McFarlane ($1,000); 14th Place, Annie Labarca
Broadcast Features: Sixth Place, Moira Vaughan – “Welding with a Purpose” and “Front and Center“
Sports Writing: Eighth Place, Wally McKeon
Multimedia Narrative Storytelling: 13th Place, Jess Van
Photo News and Features: 12th Place, Arthur Maiorella

2024-25 Hearst Multimedia Innovative Journalism Competition Winners Announced

Broadcast Education Association

From 2,285 entries from 300 schools around the globe, Newhouse School students won an incredible 28 awards for their stories and projects at this year’s Broadcast Education Association (BEA) Festival of the Media Arts, one of the top annual college media competitions.

Newhouse Students Set School Record With 28 Wins at BEA Festival of the Media Arts

Graphic Design USA

Eight Newhouse School students have been honored in the annual Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) Design Annual Showcase, winning awards for projects that reflect graphic design’s influence in shaping and serving commerce and culture. The projects were completed in a final capstone course during the students’ senior year.

Eight Newhouse Students, Pixels & Print Team, Honored at GDUSA Design Awards

Newhouse Students, Faculty Make Exceptional Showing With 22 Honors at AEJMC Festival of Visual and Interactive Media

Newhouse students and faculty had a fantastic showing with 17 wins and five Gold Awards at the Festival of Visual and Interactive Media contest, sponsored by the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication’s VISCOM division for the best in design, interactivity, photos, video and advertising. 

The winners span nearly all Newhouse majors, with students taking the top three prizes in the Video/Film category and visual communications assistant professor Michael Snyder earning two faculty awards for his photo projects.

Winners

Photo Essay, Gold – “Beating the Odds,” Diana Valdivia (The Fall Workshop)

Photo Single Entry – Journalism, Bronze – “Police officer funeral,” Patrick King (The NewsHouse)

Photo Illustration, Bronze – Sculpting with Luminosity, Andrew Skiver (SALT) 

Video/Film, Gold – “The Thread Remembers,” Maxine Wallace and LJ Guerra

Video/Film, Silver – “A Tale of Two Cities: Reclaiming Niagara Falls and Salinas “

Video/Film, Bronze – “Fright Night: An American Family Story,” Kayla Breen 

Animation, Gold – “Lotus,” Elizabeth Carlson

Advertising, Gold – “Wear the Change,” Gabriella Enriquez

Advertising, Bronze – “One Eagles Nation,” Jack Wojtowwicz

General Design, Silver – “Cisco Swank,” Noa Putman

General Design, Bronze – “Neil Minet Brand Identity,” Sammy Swiss

Multimedia, Silver – The Baldwin Fund, Pixels and Print Staff – Alex Hodge, Arlo Stone, Rongpeng Zhang, Rebecca Skier, Ania Johnston, Dara Pershing, Chelsea Palmer, Patrick Firrell, Alex Levy, Laura Knaflewski, Dean Lourenco, Max Meyer

Multimedia, Bronze – “Canal Keepers,” Canal Keepers Staff

Interactive & Motion, Silver – “GameSense,” Arlo Stone

Interactive & Motion, Bronze – Baldwin Fund 3D/Immersive Experience, Elizabeth Carlson, Samantha Mai Currier, Darren Cordoviz, River Taylor, Charlotte Little (Pixels & Print)

Faculty:

Photo Story, Gold – Michael Snyder, “The Queens of Queen City“

Photo Story, Silver – Michael Snyder, “Hidden Waters“