Awards & Honors
Department honors Williams, Rudrow, Gordon, Edmonds with annual awards
The Department of Communication, Media and Theatre at Mississippi State University recently announced the winners of faculty awards for 2025 recognizing excellence in teaching, research and service as well as outstanding lecturer.
During the department end-of-year award ceremony in April Kevin Williams, Keven Rudrow, Meaghan Gordon and Khristi Edmonds were honored for their contributions to the department.
Williams, an associate professor in broadcast and digital journalism, received the 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Service.
“Dr. Williams’s service this year has been exemplary. He has continually raised his hand and committed his time and energy to activities that benefit the Starkville community, our university, the department and his colleagues in tangible, truly impactful ways. Very few are willing to go as above and beyond as he has this year,” said alumni external reviewers.
Rudrow, an assistant professor in communication & media studies, received the 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Research.
“Dr. Rudrow’s research is impressive in both its unique scope and placement in not one but two n-c-a journals. Using that research as a foundation to develop important, modern curriculum ensures that his work contributes not only to the profession and his own profile but also to the department and its students in meaningful ways,” noted alumni external reviewers.
Gordon, an instructor II in public relations, received the 2025 Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching.
“Meaghan does a great job of connecting with her students and guiding them through courses that provide a vital foundation for their future careers. Her work with PR writing and PR in Organizations is a significant contribution to the department. The students are learning by applying theory into real-world practice,” commented alumni external reviewers.
Edmonds, a lecturer in communication, received the 2025 Outstanding Lecturer Award.
“Khristi is dedicated to making her classes engaging and fun. She uses her administrative knowledge to connect with her students beyond the course content. This gives students the opportunity to take a class that they might be anxious about and come out with a great, memorable experience,” said alumni external reviewers.
The MSU Department of Communication, Media and Theatre is housed in the College of Arts & Sciences. The department currently serves approximately 450 majors in five concentrations: broadcast and digital journalism, communication and media studies, print and digital journalism, public relations and theatre.
For more details about MSU’s College of Arts and Sciences or the Department of Communication, Media and Theatre, visit www.cas.msstate.edu or www.comm.msstate.edu.
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