Programs

Student Awards

J. Sinnot Meyers Award

J. Sinnot Meyer was to have graduated from Notre Dame in the spring of 1920. Instead, he died in February of that year. Mr. and Mrs. A. R. Meyer of Paducah, Kentucky, established the J. Sinnot Meyer "Burse" in memory of their beloved son. The Meyer Award is given for outstanding service to the community here at Notre Dame and beyond (i.e., local, state, and national levels of service).

Sinnot Meyer Award Winners

Heidi Rocha, 2009

Mary Feighery, 2008
Christine McGlinchy, 2007

Sarah Liu, 2006
Lauren Flynn and Marco Sandusky, 2005
Gabrielle Sopko, 2004
Kathleen Nagengast, 2003
Sarah Lasseter, 2002
Tim Greene and Jennifer King, 2001
Mary McManus, 2000
Shaye Loughlin, 1999
Martin Moran, 1999
Christine Haley, 1998
Lori Miller, 1997
Megan Ryan, 1997
Lauren Aimonette, 1996
Meghan Kelley, 1994
Kristin Garvey, 1993
Barbara Moran, 1992

James E. Murphy Award

A 1947 graduate of Notre Dame, James E. Murphy entered the world of journalism while doing graduate work at the Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University. He then joined ABC News Radio Network as a writer/editor. Murphy migrated to the field of public relations, returning to his alma mater as Director of Public Information. From that day until his last assignment overseeing Notre Dame's 150th birthday commemoration, Murphy's influence was felt over the entire panoply of activities advancing the image of the University. After serving as the guiding hand of public relations for more than four decades, he retired as Associate Vice President for University Relations. The Murphy award is given for exceptionally submitted journalism.

James E. and Barbara Murphy Award Winners

Kaitlynn Riely, 2009

Robert Costa, 2008
no award, 2007

Claire Heininger, 2006
Aaron Van Oosterhout and Annie Robinson, 2005
Lauren Beck, 2004
Sarah Childress, 2003
Mike Connolly, 2002
Tim Logan, 2001
Meredith Salisbury, 2000

Paul Neville Award

After graduating from Notre Dame in 1942, Paul Neville joined the South Bend Tribune as chief political reporter, then served as sports and managing editor. In 1957 he left the Tribune to become managing editor of the Buffalo Evening News. Eventually, he was named executive editor of that paper. The Neville Award is for excellence in journalism.

Neville Award Winners

Jessica Farmwald, 2009

no award, 2007

James Ryan, 2006
Meghanne Downes, 2005
Matt Killen, 2004
Katherine Nagengast, 2003
Mike Connolly, 2002
Brittany Morehouse, 2001
Michelle Krupa, 2000
Heather Cocks, 1999
Brian Hiro, 1997
Michelle Crouch, 1996
Katie Wiltrout, 1995
Paul Neville, 1993
Ian Mitchell, 1992
Kelley Tuthill, 1992

Hugh Arnott O'Donnell

Hugh O'Donnell graduated from Notre Dame in the class of 1894. He pursued careers in both the theater and newspapers. He was with The New York Times for many years, retiring in 1933 as its Business Manager. The O'Donnell Award in American Studies is given for outstanding academic achievement--sustained success in the classroom as well as rigor of curriculum.

O'Donnell Award Winners

Andrew Nesi, 2009

Steven Tortorello, 2008
Jophn Burke, 2007

Kathryn Finn and Alexis Zouhary, 2006
Kathleen Joyce and Margie Miller, 2005
Liam Farrell, 2004
Kathryn Anderson, Jessica Daues, and Amanda Horvath, 2003
Meghan Gallagher, 2002
Amy Harpole, 2001
Beth Wladyka, 2000
Amanda Crosby, 1999
Megan DeNiro, 1998
Ellen McSweeney, 1997
Christina Lenko, 1996
Katie Wiltrout, 1995
Stacey Tischler, 1994
Natalie Updike, 1993
Monica Yani and Phillip Bottonari, 1992

James Withey Award

The Professor James Withey Award is given for notable achievement in writing. The Department conducts a writing contest for seniors in honor of a legendary teacher of writing at Notre Dame. According to Thomas Stritch, Professor Emeritus and a former student of Withey's, "Withey was the best teacher I ever saw in action. He was not a prophet, like Frank O'Malley or Joe Evans, and he would not let a coterie or cult develop around him. He taught as a charity, God's work, and while he had the strongest likes and dislikes I ever saw, he gave each student his money's worth."

Withey Award Winners