Corley Dennison, Cathryn Gibbs Harris, Jeff Hopson, Jerod Smalley and Patrick Wittich will be inducted into the hall during a ceremony this fall.
“Marshall University has a long and proud history of journalism and mass communications excellence, and this newest class of inductees into our Hall of Fame once again proves that,” said Chris Dickerson, president of the SOJMC Alumni Advisory Board, which handles the nomination process. “Every year, our board has an immensely talented pool of candidates nominated for induction. It’s always a difficult process because of the rich talent.
“Like all of our previous inductees, these newest ones have done great things all over the world in a variety of fields. We are extremely proud of all of our graduates, and it is an honor to welcome four more very deserving members to our Hall of Fame.”
The first class was enshrined in 1985, and the latest honorees bring the number of inductees to 90.
Dennison served as dean of the SOJMC from 2004 to 2012. He currently is the interim president of Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College. He also previously served for the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and spent 29 years at Marshall, which also included time as a journalism professor, Faculty Senate president and associate vice president for Academic Affairs.
Harris, a 1974 SOJMC graduate, is a state and national Public Relations Society of America leader of more than 40 years. She spent most of her career in PR for health care companies and water utilities. She is a champion of the Public Relations Student Society of America, having served as Marshall’s PRSSA advisor for eight years. She also is a member of the West Virginia Public Relations Hall of Fame.
Hopson, a 1992 Marshall graduate, has traveled the globe as a videographer, primarily working sporting events. He has covered the Olympics since 2016, three Super Bowls, dozens of major golf championships and other PGA tournaments, college football and basketball games as well as NFL games. He’s also done work for NBC News and ABC News. He has won two national Emmy Awards.
Smalley, a 2001 SOJMC graduate, is a news anchor for WCMH-TV in Columbus and a former sports director for the station. He has been named Ohio’s Best Anchor six times by The Associated Press, and he has covered sporting events around the world. He also has won several regional Emmy Awards, including four for his work on “The Autism Puzzle.” He is the father of two sons on the autism spectrum.
Wittich, a 1984 SOJMC graduate, is a freelance art director and creative director. During his 40-year career, he has worked with a variety of companies such as Mercedes Benz, Purina, Timberland, McDonald’s, Walmart, Norwegian Cruise Lines and Coca-Cola. He has won a host of awards, including The One Show, Communication Arts Advertising & Design annuals, Effies, Kellys and Obies.
Inductees need to have a connection to the SOJMC, such as being a graduate or a faculty member, and should meet at least one of two major criteria to be nominated:
A graduate of Marshall’s JMC program who has contributed to Journalism and Mass Communications as a profession. The nominee has made a contribution to the profession of journalism or has made a positive impact upon the profession.
Contribution(s) to Marshall University’s SOJMC. The nominee, either through talent, treasure or activity, has made an outstanding impact upon the school.
The school has an enshrinement dinner and ceremony each year to honor the inductees. This year’s event is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 7, in the John Marshall Room of the Memorial Student Center. More details about this fall’s ceremony will be announced at a later date.
For more information or questions about the SOJMC Hall of Fame, please contact the school at dickerson38@marshall.edu.