J. William and Mary Diederich College of Communication
Award Recipients

CEREMONY

Saturday, April 27
Reception: 10 a.m.
Brunch: 10:30 a.m.
Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom
1442 W. Wisconsin Ave., Marquette University campus

Communicator of the Year Award
Nancy R. Armour, Comm ’91
Chicago

Nancy never imagined she’d cover sports. She only worked on the Marquette Tribune sports desk because all the news beats were taken. Nearly 30 years later, she’s now one of the most renowned sportswriters in the country.

Byline Award
Patrick M. Olsen, Jour ’87
West Hartford, Conn.

Patrick considers himself a “car guy,” though not quite obsessed enough to be a “car geek.” That only proves you don’t need to be an automotive engineer to make a lasting impact on the car industry.

 

Professional Achievement Award
Mary-Ann Bendel, Sp ’57
Santa Barbara, Calif.

When Mary-Ann graduated in 1957, female journalists were rarely given the opportunity to cover front-page news. She was determined to chase those big stories anyway.

Young Alumna of the Year Award
Sheena G. Quinn, Comm ’04
Chicago

As the senior director of public relations for the Chicago White Sox, Sheena ensures the team’s presence off the field carries just as much weight as their work on game day.

James T. Tiedge Memorial Award
Sandra M. Patyk, Comm ’91
Oak Creek, Wis.

Sandy Patyk has made a name for herself — literally, her broadcasting name is Sandy Maxx — in Milwaukee TV, radio and online and in live sporting events as one of the very first Milwaukee Brewers’ game-day hosts. Having followed in the footsteps of her late father, Chuck Patyk, who started his career as a TV and radio newscaster, most famous for his coverage of the 1974 Super Outbreak tornadoes in Kentucky, Sandy has forged her own path in broadcast journalism..