FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – On April 17, the Department of Communication in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences held its first Scholarship Reception at the Chancellor Hotel. It was an evening of recognition for the best of the department's undergraduate students, celebrating milestone achievements and reward of scholarships. The reception began with opening remarks from Robert Brady, chair of the department, who welcomed the attendees, and congratulated them on their success.

Eight graduating seniors were recognized with the designation of Athens Scholars, the department's highest academic award. All the recipients are graduating with a cumulative GPA above 3.8 and a B.A. in communication. Those students include:

• Tommy Coker, Fayetteville
• Carly Collins, Oklahoma City
• Hannah Davis, Flippin
• Mackennzie Dutton, Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Sara McCarter, New Boston, Texas
• Megan McTigue, Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Taylor Smith, Ozark, Missouri
• Sarah Watkins, Springdale

Megan McTigue, a newly awarded 2018 Athens Scholar, took a moment to give her thoughts: "Receiving the (Athens Scholar award) is really such a wonderful recognition of the hard work that myself, and many other students put in! The award represents the entire department and the field of study, and it's an honor to receive it."

In addition, the department named the winners of its 2018-19 scholarships. The Virgil & Lillian Baker Scholarship went to Rachel Mauchline and Ginger Rhoads, both juniors in communication. The M. Blair Hart Scholarship was awarded to Kelsey Wexler, a junior communication major.

The newest members of Lambda Pi Eta were then initiated by the current student officers: Keleigh Button, president; Shannon Farr, treasurer; and Ryann Alonso, secretary. Directly following the initiation was the presentation of student scholarships. Lambda Pi Eta is the official honors society of the National Communication Association and was started here in 1985 under the direction of professor emeritus Stephen A. Smith. The U of A's Department of Communication is the Alpha chapter, which was later chartered into a national organization officially sanctioned by the National Communication Association.