By Julia Mericle
Contributing Writer
Madeleine Gionet was the recipient of the 53rd annual Mark Hellinger Award. The ceremony was held Wednesday at the Holiday Valley Lodge in Ellicottville. The award, established in 1960, is presented to a graduating senior journalism and mass communication major who has displayed excellence in academics and great potential in their field.
The ceremony opened with welcoming remarks by Pauline Hoffmann, dean of the school of journalism and mass communication, and an original poetry reading by senior journalism and mass communication major Makeda Loney, featuring the “forward ever, backward never” to describe the Jandoli school and its students.
During her time at St. Bonaventure, Gionet served in a variety of organizations, such as co-editor of The Intrepid, secretary and account executive for the American Advertising Federation, coordinator for the Mountain Community Leaders at Mt. Irenaeus, peer leader for the Peer Coach Program and co-director for the Teaching and Learning Center’s Writing Lab.
Hoffmann quoted Adriane Spencer, coordinator of disability support services, in her remarks about Gionet.
“Maddie puts her heart and soul into everything she does,” Spencer said.
Gionet spoke about what the award meant to her and then went on to thank everyone who helped her along the way.
“To take full credit for this award would be unacceptable,” Gionet said.
She is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Integrated Marketing Communications at St. Bonaventure and is optimistic for her future.
“There is a whole world out there waiting to welcome me,” Gionet said.
Gionet has already accomplished a great deal more than receiving the Hellinger. She was named the Dr. Mary A. Hamilton Woman of Promise last spring.
Two other graduates were honored for their achievements as well. Danny Bush, ’13, was recognized as Honorable Mention of the Hellinger Award and Bryan Clark, ’13, was received the Buffalo News Reporting Award. Kristan McMahon, ’97, was honored as the Alumna of the Year.
David Yaun, ’85, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony. He spoke about how his J/MC education helped him succeed as a marketing and communications executive at IBM.
The gathering allowed current journalism and mass communication students to network with alumni and speak to them about their careers.
The annual award ceremony concluded with The Prayer of St. Francis sung by Andrew Liuzzo, a senior journalism and mass communication major, accompanied on guitar by Andrew Bevevino, a sophomore strategic communication and digital media major.