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Spotlight

USC Annenberg graduates receive top university and school honors

May 9, 2024
Communication and Marketing Staff
Updated May 14, 2024 9:59 a.m.

Continuing the tradition of honoring graduating students from disciplines across the university, USC’s annual Student Recognition Awards ceremony and Academic Honors Convocation were held this spring. Outstanding members of USC Annenberg’s Class of 2024 were recognized with these top honors, showcasing their stellar academic achievements as well as their meaningful contributions that have significantly enriched the university and the wider community.

Student Recognition Awards

The Order of Troy

Recipients of the Order of Troy have distinguished themselves beyond their peers in at least one facet of university life and have made notable contributions to the university community as active leaders or critical contributors in service to peers, the university community or the world at large. These students have pursued academic excellence while devoting extensive time and energy in service outside the classroom.  

  • Fitz Cain
  • Grace Harrington
  • Anjali Patel
  • Jenna Peterson
  • Daphne Yaman
  • Skyler Pak
  • Vivienne Yang
  • Joyce Gao

Academic Honors

USC Steven and Kathryn Sample Renaissance Scholars

USC Steven and Kathryn Sample Renaissance Scholars are students who graduate in two or more widely separated fields of study with both a major and a minor, or two baccalaureate degrees. Renaissance Scholars must meet requirements for superior academic performance, including no less than a 3.5 overall grade point average, and no less than a 3.5 grade point average in their respective programs of study.  

  • ToriAnn Chiaki Abe
  • Rianne Aguas
  • Lyme Cho
  • Yifan Ding
  • Bella Margaux Durgin-Johnson
  • Christina Liu
  • Daniel Lee Marable
  • Paulene Ranjo Ng Chee
  • Sabrina Niu
  • Brett Park
  • Hyunje Park
  • Taylor Perry
  • Stephen John Serrano
  • Esperanza Torres
  • Louis Sek Lung Wong
  • Sofia Piccioni

Discovery Scholars

USC Discovery Scholars are students who have produced exceptional original scholarship or creative work at USC while compiling a distinguished overall academic record, including no less than a 3.5 overall grade point average. 

  • Jonathan Beyer
  • Sabrina Niu
  • Hyunje Park
  • Louis Wong

External Academic Honors

Fulbright U.S. Student Program

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program offers research, study and teaching opportunities in over 140 countries to recent graduates and graduate students.

  • Nicole Song

School of Communication Awards

USC Annenberg’s School of Communication announced the following recipients of their inaugural awards for graduating undergraduate students. 

  • Hanah Abualhaj and Vivienne Yang, Academic Achievement Award
  • Shefali Murti, Innovation Award
  • Khamani Griffin, Civic and Community Engagement Award
  • Andrew Taw and Sophia Loreto, Intellectual Generosity Award
  • Sam Lo and Mia Mendez, Diversity, Inclusion, Equity and Access Award
  • Amelia Tuaniga, Student Transformation Award

School of Journalism Awards

USC Annenberg’s School of Journalism announced the following recipients of their annual awards for graduating undergraduate and master’s students. 

  • Kaitlyn Huamani, Outstanding BA in Journalism Scholar Award (GPA)  
  • Fitz Cain, Outstanding BA in Journalism Scholar Award (recognition)
  • Emma Collins, Outstanding BA in Public Relations Scholar Award (GPA) 
  • Joyce Gao, Outstanding BA in Public Relations Scholar Award (recognition)
  • Adrian Finer, Director’s Award for Excellence (undergraduate)
  • Alexandra Goldberg, Outstanding MS in Journalism Scholar Award (top scholar)
  • Angelina Hicks, Outstanding MS in Journalism Scholar Award (recognition)
  • Corinne Smith, Outstanding MA in Specialized Journalism Scholar Award (top scholar)
  • Olivia Kelleher, Outstanding MA in Specialized Journalism Scholar Award (recognition)
  • Ashton Benn, Outstanding Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) Scholar Award (top scholar)
  • Citlalli Chavez-Nava, Outstanding Specialized Journalism (Arts and Culture) Scholar Award (recognition)  
  • Jacqueline Cao, Outstanding MA in Public Relations and Advertising Scholar Award (top scholar)
  • Grayson Wolff, Outstanding MA in Public Relations and Advertising Award (recognition)
  • Daniela Rodriguez Martinez, Director’s Award for Excellence (graduate)
  • Dainius Krasauskas, Center for Public Relations Research Award
  • Tess Patton, Norman Corwin Award for Service and Scholarship 
  • Jose Romo Gonzalez, Penny Lernoux Award for International Reporting Award
  • Jules Feeney and Raymon Troncoso, Jack Langguth First Amendment Award  
  • Jennifer Byers, Bryce Nelson Award for Distinguished Journalism