Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumni Award

Thelma Gorham

Thelma Thurston Gorham is heralded at the School of Journalism & Graphic Communication (SJGC) as the pioneer of the journalism program at Florida A&M University (FAMU). While a professor in FAMU’s English department in the ’70s, Gorham began leading a vanguard of students eager to learn journalism through her newly created tract in the English department. Her fervent efforts led to the development of the University’s first journalism degree, with the first graduating class earning a Bachelor of Science in Journalism in 1978.

The Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumni Award salutes outstanding alumni for their professional and personal accomplishments, community contributions and support of the school. Their work and service exemplify the mission and spirit of SJGC.

Thelma Thurston Gorham Distinguished Alumni Award
Honorees (in the order of their selection year):

Keith Miles
Selection Year: 1994
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1979

Joe Oglesby
Selection Year: 1995
Major: English/Journalism
Graduation Year: 1970

Joyce Evans
Selection Year: 1996
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1996

Rick Oppenheim
Selection Year: 1997
Major: Public Relatons
Graduation Year: 1979

Betsy Helgager
Selection Year: 1999
Major: Public Relatons
Graduation Year: 1990

Annetta Wilson
Selection Year: 2000
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1978

Carmen Cummings
Selection Year: 2001
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1984

Tola Thompson
Selection Year: 2002
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1984

Kimberly Godwin
Selection Year: 2003
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1984

Denise Hendricks
Selection Year: 2004
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1992

Carolyn Fennell
Selection Year: 2005
Major: English/Journalism

Avido Khahaifa
Selection Year: 2006
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1984

Africa Price
Selection Year: 2007
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1992

Kathy Times
Selection Year: 2008
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1988

Peter McKay
Selection Year: 2009
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1997

Jennifer Wiggins
Selection Year: 2010
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1994

Audra Strong Burch
Selection Year: 2011
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1988

Keisha Lance Bottoms
Selection Year: 2018
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1991

Tiffany Greene 
Selection Year: 2019
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1993

Rana Cash
Selection Year: 2022
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 1992

Elise Durham
Selection Year: 2022
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1991

Cheryl Smith
Selection Year: 2022
Major: Broadcast Journalism
Graduation Year: 1980

Marlon A. Walker
Selection Year: 2022
Major: Newspaper Journalism
Graduation Year: 2005
 

Staci R. Collins JacksonSelection Year: 2023Major: Public RelationsGraduation Year: 1996