By Rachel Konieczny
News Editor
The Russell J. Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communication announced the annual senior awards on Tuesday.
Andrew Bevevino won the Mark A. Hellinger Award and Jackie Roberts received runner-up award. Chernice Miller received the Woman of Promise Award.
Bevevino, a senior journalism and mass communication major, said he was overwhelmed when Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the school of journalism and mass communications, told him he won.
“I was just blinded by excitement and happiness,” Bevevino said.
Bevevino said he didn’t matriculate as a strategic communications major, but rather pursued international studies for his first semester.
“I saw stuff about the strategic communication program on the website and it sounded really cool—the mix of digital marketing and journalism,” Bevevino said. “So I just decided to give it a shot, and I really fell in love with it.”
Bevevino participates in the Buzz, Intrepid, Chattertons slam poetry, American Advertising Federation and currently serves as the strategic communications intern for the admissions department. He also operates his own blog with over 3,000 followers.
Carole McNall, professor of journalism and mass communication and Bevevino’s advisor, said he took risks and gained more confidence as a writer.
“He’s a talented writer and designer who has worked hard to improve and deepen his skills in his years here,” McNall said. “He’s taken advantage of many of the opportunities Bona’s offers, which I think will serve him well in the years after graduation.”
Roberts, a senior journalism and mass communication major, said she was surprised when she learned she was named runner-up for the award.
“I was astounded,” Roberts said. “I never pictured myself as one of the two people considered for that award.”
Roberts said Bonaventure was one of 25 schools she applied to and decided to attend after she watched an interview with a Buffalo station.
“I went to Channel 7 in Buffalo with my dad and they invited me on the set, and I was just blown away by how fast-paced it was and how kind everyone was,” Roberts said. “So I think then I was just like, ‘Wow, this is what I should totally do forever.’”
Roberts recently finished her term as station manager at the Buzz, served for three years as an orientation leader, serves as the co-PR chair for CAB and operates as the project manager for the American Advertising Federation.
Roberts said it is important to realize that there is a story in everything.
“The reality is being a journalist isn’t about being tough or aggressive,” Roberts said. “It’s about caring about the story and getting the story. Anyone can do it—it’s just a matter of finding the right path you want to take.”
Vince Hanley, member of the board of directors of the Buffalo and Western New York chapter of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and advisor to Roberts during her internship with the society, said he wasn’t surprised to hear Roberts was named runner-up for the award.
“I think she’s obviously extremely bright, but in addition to that, she also has a very strong work ethic and I think that that is probably going to be the key to her success,” Hanley said.
Hanley said Roberts was recommended to him by Patrick Vecchio, professor of journalism and mass communications and Roberts’ advisor.
“We were extremely impressed by her work ethic and how quickly she grasped the issues and how she responded,” Hanley said.
Miller, a senior journalism and mass communication and theater double major, said she couldn’t believe she won.
“The Woman of Promise is such an iconic award, and now I’m walking the same path as other wonderful and talented women such as Maddie Gionet and Makeda Loney, who cried on the phone when I told them the news,” Miller said.
Throughout her time at Bonaventure, Miller has participated in the theater productions, peer-mentored freshmen, sang in SBU choir and produced multiple videos “for fun.” Miller is also the president of Spectrum. But she doesn’t take credit for her success; she attributes it to the support of the Jandoli faculty.
“My mentors have been an incredible force in my life that I will never forget,” Miller said. “The have pushed me to not only be better but to strive for whatever my personal best may be; whether it is theatre or writing or underwater basket weaving. They believe in me more than I do myself, so when they tell me I’m going to be a great success in whatever I stumble my way into, I’d really love to see what crystal ball they’re looking into.”
Other winners announced were: Jackie Roberts for the Koop Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Broadcast Curriculum; Whitney Downard for the Jandoli Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Print Curriculum; Jillian Hammell for the Mosser Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Mass Communication Curriculum and Matt Schwartz for runner-up; and Kailyn Jennings for the Buffalo News Award.
koniecrc14@bonaventure.edu
