Moving Up Day Award Winners
Each academic year, the Performance and Communication Arts Department nominates exceptional seniors for our three Academic Leadership Awards.
In 2026, we launched six additional awards to celebrate students who have demonstrated success or promise in PCA courses during the academic year.
Kirk Douglas Award
Presented annually to the student who has made the greatest contribution in the field of the dramatic arts.
2026 Winners:
Alex Ferguson
Renate Jakobsen
Joan M. Fuzak Award
Given annually to a senior student in performance and communication arts who demonstrates creativity and promise as a performer and who has made a significant contribution to the University community.
2026 Winner:
Nathan Tejeda
Minogue Rhetoric and Communication Award
Given annually to a senior student who demonstrates outstanding work in the fields of rhetoric and communication.
2026 Winners:
Abby Curtin
Shelby Oken
This year's senior Moving Up Day award winners at our PCA Awards Ceremony.
Outstanding Public Speaking Students
Given annually to a student enrolled in Public Speaking who demonstrates outstanding work or promise in Public Speaking.
Eliza D'Agostino, '28, Cam Cirone, '29, and Cooper Jacobs, '29
Outstanding Beginning Acting Students
Given annually to a student enrolled in Beginning Acting who demonstrates outstanding work or promise in acting.
Ben Glass, '29 and Ren Stanavage-Monahan, '29
Promising First Year Award
Given annually to a first-year student enrolled in a PCA class who demonstrates academic excellence or promise in the fields of rhetoric and communication or theatre and performance.
Parker Failla, '29, Verus Kibanga, '29, Madison Smith, '29, and Sophia J. Van Rhyn, '29
PCA Scholar Award
Given annually to a student at any level enrolled in a PCA class who demonstrates excellence or promise as a researcher or scholar.
Sadie Cumming, '28, Zoe Davenport, '27, Paige Laasko, '27, Ella McGrath, '27, and Samira Muthoni, '28
Community Builder Award
Given annually to a student who has supported the PCA community.
Ryan Donovan, '27, Raven Sillence, '27, and Jack Smith, '28
University Theatre M.V.P.
Given annually to a student who has gone above and beyond to support the work of University Theatre.
Marc Isaacs, '26, Ella McConnell, '29, and Elijah White, '26
Past Moving Up Day Award Winners
Presented annually to the student who has made a significant contribution in the field of the dramatic arts.
2026
Alex Ferguson
Renate Jakobsen
2025
Adaleigh Novak
2024
Robertson Ramos Flores
2023
Autumn Sherman
2022
Carley Sherwin
Hailey Alvarado
2021
Bregede Castillo
Lexi (Lewinski) Lopez
2020
Ursula Martin
Brandon Calton
2019
Devin Gulfoyle
Sarah Phillips
Paige Currie
2018
Amanda J. Kennedy
Genevieve Shorter
2017
Eileen Toribio
Alexandra “Alex” Perry
2016
Alex Camerino
Liz Forman
2015
Krista N. Sonia
Mike S. Brewster
2014
Samantha W. Bice
2013
Jeffrey A. Chudzinski
Ann L. West
2012
John T. Cummin
Tai A. Nixa
2011
Nathan C. Torres
2010
Molly H. Hall
Elizabeth J. Reed
2009
Whitney R. Haynes
2008
Chelsea L. Bartlett
2007
Benjamin R. Bocinski
2006
Emily E. Crispino
2005
Emily E. Crispino
2004
Anne E. Harrigan
Jehann L. Gilman
2003
Paul G. Talga
2002
Porsche McGovern
2001
Trevor L. Maynard
2000
Elizabeth Winkler
1999
Jennifer A. Green
1998
Christopher E. Akins
1997
Robert Larrabee
Given annually to a senior student in performance and communication arts who demonstrates creativity and promise as a performer and who has made a significant contribution to the University community.
2026
Nathan Tejeda
2025
Nicolas Tiedemann
2024
Aja Samuels
2023
Joseph "JD" Larabie
2022
Emily Mose
Patsy Buckley
2021
Bregede Castillo
Lexi (Lewinski) Lopez
2020
Sarah Dobrin
Anna Elston
Kiersten Larrabee
2019
Henry Liebers
Nicole Hamilton
2018
Jillian A. Andrews
Louise V. Holdridge
2017
Sarah McEachern
Anais Sanabria
2016
Neil Devendorf
Maggie Cummins
2015
Enjolie S. Levengood
2014
Colleen C. Nerney
2013
Rebecca P. Mason
Sean M. McGuire
2012
Sara M. Cushing
Colin S. Looms
2011
Jennifer E. Collins
2010
Craig J. Conroy
2009
Lucius H. Robinson
Given annually to a senior student who demonstrates outstanding work in the fields of rhetoric and communication.
2026
Abby Curtin
Shelby Oken
2025
Maille McMahon
Misha Ockene
Lannea Zentz
2024
Alyana Contant
Anna Gates
Maya Mackay
Sophia Sulkin
2023
Caitlin French
Badi Karambwa
Ava Marshall
2022
Madi Amico
Kaleb Davis
Mauricio Montes Martinez
Michael Miller
2021
Caroline Reilly
Alyssa Sloan
2020
Ellen Allerton
Olivia Leinheart
Fikiswa Tsabedze
2019
Macklin Brigham
Hannah Markey
2018
Hyung Seon Kim
Grace G. King
2017
Taylor Lincoln
Olivia Mathieu
Sara Minogue
2016
Emily Goulet
Brandon di Perno
2026
Eliza D'Agostino, '28, Cam Cirone, '29, and Cooper Jacobs, '29
2026
Ben Glass, '30 and Ren Stavanage-Monahan, '30
2026
Parker Failla, '29, Verus Kibanga, '29, Madison Smith, '29, and Sophia J. Van Rhyn, '29
2026
Ryan Donovan, '27, Raven Sillence, '27, and Jack Smith, '28
2026
Sadie Cumming, '28, Zoe Davenport, '27, Paige Laasko, '27, Ella McGrath, '27, and Samira Muthoni, '28
2026
Marc Isaacs, '26, Ella McConnell, '29, and Elijah White '26