The School of Communication Studies held its Honors Week Awards Banquet last night.

Undergraduates and graduates were honored for their work.

Members of the Mock Trial Team, Forensics Team and the Kent Communication Society received awards.

Twenty members were inducted into the national communication honor society Lambda Pi Eta. Inductees were presented with a certificate and membership pin.

Event attendees enjoyed the chance to see what students were doing.

“The opportunity to see students’ work showcased in a positive way was very enjoyable,” faculty member Gracie Lawson Borders said.

Several parents were on hand to watch their children receive awards.

Megan Vogias’ mother said she is pleased with her daughter’s choice of school. Vogias is the President of the Kent Communication Society.

“We’re really glad she chose Kent State because I am impressed with this department. Megan succeeds because she has so much support,” her mother said.

However, the event was not entirely formal.

Forensics Team members Amanda Seese and Beth Ann Sadowski performed a duo interpretation. Sadowski explained the performance was a 10-minute synopsis of an entire play.

“It’s so much work that it’s kind of funny,’ Sadowski said.

The duo interpretation was about an El Salvadorian nanny and an American lawyer bonding over the stresses of working and motherhood.

Kent State student Julie Mitchell played piano during an interlude between the introduction and dinner.

Tim Smith, professor of journalism and mass communication, spoke about free speech.

“Speech isn’t free. It has consequences,” Smith said.

Contact academic technology reporter Jessica Dreschel at [email protected].