http://www.sou.edu/communication/

Communication, Media & Cinema Program at Southern Oregon University, 1250 Siskiyou Boulevard, Ashland, OR (2026)

06/07/2026

Congratulations to our award recipients of Outstanding Service to Communication! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time here at Southern Oregon University.

Elena Kelly (Grants Pass, OR)

How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "I feel honored to be recognized for this award. I am so grateful to have been able to take part in communication studies and to work with the lovely professors and instructors in this program!"

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "Working with instructor Erica Knotts throughout the year has been one of my favorite experiences on my journey to completing my degree at SOU. Erica is an incredible teacher with a lot wisdom. I am so grateful to be able to have this experience and learning opportunity to better understand what teaching in higher education is like!"

Valerie Duncan (Happy Camp, CA)

How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?- I feel very honored to be chosen for this award. With how busy this year has been, I'm glad my work in Communication (no "s") has gotten recognition."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience would be going to Italy. Being able to go out of country for the first time is a huge milestone for me. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity that I would highly suggest to those who are able to take it."

Connor Babbitt (Sweet Home, OR)

How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "It feels a little strange because I am not a Communication student, but I am hoping to become one as I apply to Communication graduate programs this Fall. This award feels a bit like a blessing on that path from Dr. Ruggerio, and I am so grateful for her seal of approval! I am glad that I was able to be of service to her, in exchange for all the work that she has done for me as a professor and community member."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "The community of peers and professors here at SOU has been essential to my college experience. I am deeply grateful for the nerdy conversations that have led to papers, publications, and conference presentations, as well as my own future as a professor."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite memory here at SOU may not count as being "outside the classroom," but I think being in a class you aren't supposed to be in should count! I was invited by some friends to attend their evening class, so I showed up, made myself a name tag like the other students, took notes on the lecture, and asked questions. Many people think a prank should be disruptive, but it was deeply funny to us for a student to just show up after midterms as if I had always been there. Plus, I got to learn some cool stuff outside my majors!"

06/07/2026

Congratulations to our award recipients of Outstanding Seniors in Communication! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time here at Southern Oregon University

Adelyn Sharp (Lewiston, CA)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "I am extremely honored to be selected as one of this year's Outstanding Seniors in Communication at SOU. I have so much love for the Communication department at SOU and am very proud to be able to represent such a wonderful group of students and faculty members. My time as a Communication student at SOU has challenged me to become a better communication scholar while also allowing me to find genuine joy in this field of study. Receiving this award feels like an acknowledgment of my hard work as a communication student at SOU, but also genuine encouragement towards my future journey as a communication scholar."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "It is rather difficult to pinpoint only one experience in my time at SOU but one thing that will continue to stick with me even after graduation at SOU is the moment I realized that my heart truly lies in the communication field. In my freshman year, I was working as a Raider Ambassador during Preview Day when I was sent to lead a group of students to Professor Alena Ruggerio's breakout session about SOU's Communication department. Watching and participating in this session made me realize my genuine passion and love for communication, prompting me to officially switch to being a Communication Major. This lucky coincidence helped me discover my true passion and without it, I wouldn't be where I am today!"

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "One of the highlights of my time at SOU will always be the genuine friendships I have made both through the Communication Depart and the Honors College. These friendships are special to me because they go so far beyond simply being peers in the classroom. I am so thankful to have found lifelong friendships who I was able to share my college years with and who I will continue to have in my life far in the future."

Erin Geller (Medford, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "I am grateful and really appreciate being recognized as an outstanding senior in communications."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience has been getting to know other people in this major and taking classes that are interactive which I feel have helped me grow through my time here at SOU."

Sami Mills (Bend, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "I was not expecting to be recognized at all. I feel very surprised, happy and honored to receive this award and be part of the communication department. All the professors, students and friends that I have met through my time at SOU have made my experience so much better, and that is all because of communication."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience getting my communication degree at SOU was my Communication Theories class. It was a really nice little cohort as we paired up to present a theory each class and do fun activities within the presentations. I really loved everything about that class, the experience, the course, the amazing professor and the fellow students I shared the class with."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite memory outside of class was going to Turin, Italy with the Communication department for the View Conference. It was my first time out of the states and it was an amazing trip. The conference was phenomenal, all the people I went with were so fun and Italy was so beautiful."

06/06/2026

Congratulations to our award recipients! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time here at Southern Oregon University

Daniel Messing (Astoria, OR)
How does it feel to be given this recognition?
• "It's incredibly fulfilling to be recognized for this acknowledgement, as I hope our project will make a greater impact later in the future."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience has been the various classes I have taken to expand my skill set (photography, journalism, design, multimedia writing) that will provide me with a variety of opportunities."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite SOU memories have been the many MUSIX concerts I was fortunate enough to perform in."

Ashley Stivers (Jacksonville, OR)
How does it feel to be given this recognition?
• "It feels rewarding of my work as an upcoming senior student to be recognized with this achievement."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience in completing my major at SOU are all the opportunities and events I got to participate in, such as: Raider Demo Day, InventOR, Adobe Create Now, art talks, and the connections I have made throughout them."

06/06/2026

Congratulations to our award recipients from the Digital Cinema at SOU! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time at Southern Oregon University

Lucas Ivey (Medford, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "I am very honored! I have worked very hard over the last 4 years to put school as a high priority in my life while still balancing work and personal life. It’s very encouraging to see people recognize that!"

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "We made a horror short last fall for the film club competition, and it was a really wonderful moment where my classmates and I really started applying a lot of what we have learned with more ease! It really made the project a wonderful experience."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "SOU film club took myself and some others to NAB (national association of broadcasting), and it was really such a wonderful bonding experience as well as very educational!"

Kira Wegenhenkel (Medford, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "It feels very exciting to be recognized with this award! I am very passionate about film and screenwriting and I have learned so much here at SOU, I'm beyond grateful for the opportunity the DCIN program has given me."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience from my time at SOU has to be the screenwriting classes I've taken. As someone who wants to go into screenwriting it is probably no surprise that these were my favorite, but this program was really special to me. These classes were the first time my skills as a writer were recognized, and the moment I knew I had found my passion."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite memory outside the classroom was meeting my now best friend in the Social Justice and Equity Center in Stevenson Union."

Sophia Guerrero (Bend, OR)

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "It’s an honor to be recognized for my work in the program. A lot of time has been dedicated to Digital Cinema and I’ve enjoyed every bit of it, even the stressful times. It’s taught me problem solving and perseverance and I’m grateful that faculty can see my growth since I joined in 2023."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience has been producing three capstone films within the past year, two of which we traveled and the same two I acted in. So many memories were made and so many lessons were learned that I can carry into my career. I also want to shout out Crew Experience from 2024, which is when I discovered that producing and assistant directing was going to be my path forward in the program."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite SOU memory… that’s such an impossible question to choose just one. I’m going to have to go with the SOU Student Film Festival last year when I started a relationship with a fellow DCIN student who became the love of my life. The same night, Bruce Campbell gave me the Best Actor award and I made him and the entire crowd laugh… that was pretty cool."

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our award recipients! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time here at Southern Oregon University

Justin Crawford (Monmouth, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "It feels like the perfect bookend for my time at SOU. In my freshman year, I was one of the recipients of the Outstanding First-year Student in Digital Cinema."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience at SOU would have to be all of the studio classes I have taken. I am so glad I was able to be a part of Hallie & Jerry and Dead Week. Both of which were made possible by the Studio and Soap Opera class."

Ivan Babash (Portland, OR)
How does it feel to be given this recognition?
• "This is the first time I’ve won an award, so it’s a very big thing for me personally. I think that the main reason why I’m in disbelief is that, first, I had no idea that such an award even existed in the first place, and second, that I was one of two people to win it out of a class of around 30 other students who also put in a lot of their time, effort, and dedication to the crew and the film we made, that I’m just surprised that somebody didn’t win it instead because of all the work they did.. I know that everyone in our crew put themselves to their fullest for this film, so it just feels surreal that I won, especially since I was pretty much thrown into the deep end of all of this, as this was the first time I was a 1st Assistant Director, and that wasn’t even the role I signed up for originally. As I was supposed to be the 2nd Assistant Director instead, but because of the sudden promotion, there were a lot of new things I needed to learn and be expected of me that I needed to know in a short amount of time, especially since I didn’t really know what I was going to do. And my anxiety levels were definitely off the charts during this time. Fortunately, though, despite my worries, I had a great professor, director, and crew that had my back and made sure to help me out when needed, and always reassured me that I was doing a great job. So, overall, it feels good that I am being recognized for all that I did during the Crew Experience, and I hope that this is the beginning of a bright future not just for me, but for everyone else who was a part of the crew."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "I would say my favorite experience so far is honestly being able to make and be a part of many different films throughout the year. And the many wonderful, creative people I’ve met who all share the same outlook of being a part of the film business and bringing their ideas to life through film. Everyone has their own ideas and charm that are different from one another, and being able to talk with so many people who all have their own unique ideas, skills, and knowledge across this career. That being able to be surrounded by people who are dedicated and care so much about their own projects and other people’s projects. It just feels great to be here and to get to know everyone, and each day brings a new experience that makes it hard to just choose one, really. The whole thing, in general, has been my favorite, I would say, and I am so happy I chose to come to this school and this major."

Emma Witherspoon (Sherman County, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this Award?
• "When I received the congratulatory email, it brought tears to my eyes. I hadn't realized how much work and frustration had gone into my degree until that moment. It was then that I realized that I wasn't alone in it; I wasn't just a passing student. I have made connections with the people around me, and being recognized made me realize that I'm a little sad to be stepping out of this community I've been in for the last four years. During my time at SOU, I've achieved a lot thanks to the supportive people I've found here, and I'm really grateful to them."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "I think it's been the meaningful connections I've made with people, networking, and collaborating on projects and things bigger than myself. I've forged some really supportive relationships with mentors and friends during my time here."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "It's hard to narrow this down, but in my time here at SOU, I was welcomed into the warm and friendly Deaf community here in the Rogue Valley. The many events I attended, the people I talked to, and the vast amount I learned from them take the cake for favorite memories outside the classroom."

06/05/2026

Congratulations to our scholarship recipients! We interviewed them before our CMC Gala and here is what they had to say about what it means to receive this recognition and their time at Southern Oregon University

Sophie Grow (Medford, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this scholarship?
• "It feels amazing to be recognized with this scholarship, to know that I can reach my goal of graduating with my bachelor’s degree debt-free. I’m so grateful for the continued support."
What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "Building relationships with faculty and peers, and getting to travel the world. Last year I traveled to Italy with the Communication department and that trip was incredible, full of growth opportunities."
What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "I’d have to say traveling. One of my favorite memories is that I was fortunate enough to do a photoshoot outside the Duomo in Milan, Italy."

Charlie McCabe (Bend, OR)
How does it feel to be recognized with this scholarship and crew experience special recognition?
• "Being recognized with this scholarship is breathtaking. Believe it or not, like most filmmakers, I love to make films. However, making films requires a significant amount of time which is hard to come by when working weekends throughout school and two jobs over the summer. This scholarship allows some of the financial stress to be lifted off my shoulders, and allows me more time and focus to my film education, and films themselves. Being recognized with this award is nothing short of lovely. I felt honored to have my script chosen for The Crew Experience, I felt honored to get the role I wanted in this project. I felt honored to work everyday with people who were eager to make the best project we could make. I am simply happy to be here. The fact that I get an award for being exactly where I want to be is… lovely."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "The Crew Experience. Period. If I could do The Crew Experience every 10 weeks over and over again, as my career, I would be a jolly happy man. Having an experienced director and professor leading a group of 35 peers to create a short film was exhilarating. I want to try every role and attempt every task. The Crew Experience was the peak college filmmaking experience and it has made me more excited than ever to make my capstone."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "As I continue through SOU, I am continually flabbersmacked by a variety of experiences I would, and could, never plan for. I found myself signed up for a Film Club challenge where we were tasked with making an entire short film, concept to complete, in 24 hours. We were fortunate enough to have half of the people who signed up to help drop out the day before. This change of plans sent us into a spiral of creative panic.Throughout the experience I giggled like a child and cried like a man. At the end of the 24 hours, we produced a beautiful project with a consecutive day of cherishable memories."

Codi Kirksey (Reynolds, Georgia)
How does it feel to be recognized with this scholarship?
• "Being selected for the Arthur B. Levis Journalism Scholarship is deeply meaningful to me as it affirms the work I have put in to building my academic and professional path. Having that affirmation provides me with motivation and reminds me that the work I am doing at SOU matters and that there are people in this community that believe in my ability to continue growing as a journalist and media professional."

What's been your favorite experience on this journey to completing your major at SOU?
• "My favorite experience has been the opportunity to apply what I am learning in real time. Through my Media Innovation coursework, campus media work, podcast production, athletics broadcasting, and professional motorsports coverage, I have been able to connect the classroom to the field in a very direct way. SOU has given me space to grow not just as a student, but as a producer, broadcaster, writer, and leader. That combination has made my journey at SOU feel practical, personal, and purposeful."

What’s your favorite SOU memory outside the classroom?
• "My favorite SOU memory outside the classroom has been working in live athletics production and broadcasting Raider Athletics events. Being part of those events, whether producing a broadcast, calling a wrestling match or basketball game, or helping tell the story of SOU student-athletes, has made me feel connected to the campus community in a way that goes beyond coursework. Those moments have helped me understand the role media can play in building community, preserving memories, and giving people’s work the attention it deserves."

06/04/2026

Congratulations to this years CMC Program Scholarship and Award Recipients!
Stay tuned for our spotlight on each student!

Scholarship Recipients:
Leon C. Mulling/Emeritus Communication Scholarship:
Sophie Grow

Patricia C. Smullin Scholarship:
Charlie McCabe

Arthur Levis Journalism Scholarship:
Codi Kirksey

Award Recipients:
Outstanding Seniors in Communication:
Erin Geller
Sami Mills
Adelyn Sharp

Outstanding Senior in Media Innovation:
Emma Witherspoon

Outstanding Seniors in Digital Cinema:
Lucas Ivey
Kira Wegehenkel

Outstanding Senior of the Digital Media Center:
Justin Crawford

Crew Experience Special Recognitions:
Ivan Babash
Charlie McCabe

Outstanding Service to Communication:
Connor Babbitt
Valerie Duncan
Elena Kelly

Outstanding Service to Digital Cinema:
Sophia Guerrero

Raider Demo Day/Invent Oregon Collegiate Challenge:
Garrett Laube
Daniel Messing
Ashley Stivers

03/11/2026

We're going live in 5 4 3 2.....
Tune in this Thursday, March 12th 2:30 PM, for the episode 3 FINALE of the original soap opera series "Dead Week."
Produced, acted and shot in collaboration with DCIN 472 and 216 classes at our Southern Oregon Digital Media Center studio. Enjoy some BTS photos of the cast and crew hard at work this past term.

Available to view on regional cable, via the RVTV app, or by visiting RVTV VOICES at RVTV.sou.edu.

Digital Cinema at SOU Rogue Valley Community Television

03/07/2026

Thank you Ashland Clayhouse for such a fun and informative Wheel Throwing Workshop with our Communication, Media, and Cinema faculty and our Dean of Communication, Arts, and Humanities! It was many of our first times throwing ceramics on a wheel, a truly humbling and delightful experience, especially with our talented and witty ceramics teacher Annabelle.

05/27/2025

TOMORROW (Wednesday, May 28, 12:30 pm, Britt 176) Info Session: The View Conference Italy trip is back! All majors are welcome. This is a short-term study abroad trip in Fall 2025, October 12 17, 2025. Please attend the info session on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 12:30 - 1:15 pm in Britt 176. COMM 399 (CRN 1790), 4 credits.

Communication, Media & Cinema Program at Southern Oregon University

06/07/2026

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03/11/2026

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05/27/2025

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