Since our founding in 1950 by Drs. Hollis & Julia Todd, the Mississippi Christian University Department of Communication has educated generations of students who have experienced professional and personal success in a variety of careers.

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Cliff Fortenberry Distinguished Alumni Award

2025 | Tracey Harrison, Vice President for Communication & Brand Marketing, Biola University, LaMirada, Calif.
2024 | Dylan McLemore, Assistant Professor of Sports Media & ESPN+ Announcer, Oklahoma State Univ., Stillwater, Okla.
2023 | Michael Bowen, Media & Communications Pastor, Broadmoor Baptist Church, Madison, Miss.
2022 | Patrice Guilfoyle, Communications Director, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, Miss.
2021 | Ryan Fortenberry, Associate Professor of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, Oxford, Miss.
2020 | Joey Smith, Health Communication Specialist, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga.
2019 | Bob Sullender, Vice President, SuperTalk Mississippi, Jackson, Miss.
2018 | Mark Jones, Chief Communications Officer, Mississippi Department of Human Services, Jackson, Miss.
2017 | Derrick Fears, Men's Basketball Coach, Mississippi Delta Community College, Moorhead, Miss.
2016 | Todd Brand, Chief Academic Officer, Ashland Community & Technical College, Ashland, Ky.
2015 | Warren Strain, News Anchor, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
2014 | Ben Ingram, Radio Voice of the Atlanta Braves, Atlanta, Ga.
2013 | Rachel Carter, Country Director, Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy, Washington, D.C.
2012 | Lisa Shoemaker, Vice President of Government Relations, IDEMIA, Washington, D.C.
2011 | Kenny Bizot, Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, Mississippi Christian University, Clinton, Miss.
2010 | Elizabeth Rooks-Barber, Certified Wildlife Biologist, President of Rooks and Company, LLC, Ridgeland, Miss.
2009 | Pete Smith, Lobbyist, Capitol Resources, LLC, Jackson, Miss.
2008 | Mary Catherine Gentry, Instructor of Communication, Mississippi Christian University, Clinton, Miss.
2007 | Barbie Bassett, News Anchor & Meteorologist, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
2006 | Michael Logue, Crisis Communications and Issue Management Specialist, Vicksburg, Miss.
2005 | Neal Caldwell, Executive Vice President, Enterprise Solutions, 4M Research, Smithville, Tenn.
2004 | Anne Sullivan, Executive Director, Magnolia Speech School, Jackson, Miss.
2003 | Lynda Fields Houser, Television and Thater Actress, Portland, Ore.
2002 | Judy Lewis, Instructor of Communication, Belhaven University, Jackson, Miss.
2001 | Judy Moon Denson, Anchor, WLBT-TV, Jackson, Miss.
2000 | Mark Hester, President, Hester Custom Communications, Portland, Ore.
1999 | Donna Matthews
1998 | Rendy Lovelady, Rendy Lovelady Management, Nashville, Tenn.
1997 | Gayle Long Wicker, Mississippi Director for Vision to Learn, Tupelo, Miss.
1996 | Ann Marie Copeland

2025 | Corey Rholdon, Sports Anchor & Reporter, KKTV News, Colorado Springs, Colo.
2024 | Micheal Walley, Team Leader for Live Creative for Camps & Events, Lifeway Christian Resources, Nashville, Tenn.
2023 | Richard Morris, Programs Specialist, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Denton, Texas
2022 | Kaley Winstead Olson, Director of Creative Programming, Proverbs 31 Ministries, Charlotte, N.C.,
2021 | Courtney Parella, Regional Press Secretary, National Republican Congressional Committee, Washington, D.C.
2020 | Emily Alexander Moore, Owner, Moore Media Group, Clinton, Miss.
2019 | Randall Miller, Partner, Kirkland & Ellis, LLP, Dallas, Tex.
2018 | Ashley Cockerham Rea, Manager of Communication at Wayne-Sanderson Farms, Laurel, Miss.
2017 | Chase Sims, Director of Business Development, Pathway Healthcare, Laurel, Miss.