Undergraduate
Graduate
Alumni
Faculty & Staff
Department Activities
Research & Productions
Technology
Department Resources
Quick Links
Contact Us
October 27, 2011
Two Communication Studies graduates honored at Homecoming 2010
 |
 |
Two graduates of EIU's Communication Studies Department were honored with major awards at last weekend's Homecoming celebration at Eastern.
Sean Payton ’87 was one of six people to receive Distinguished Alumni Awards for 2010. Sean led the New Orleans Saints to their first Super Bowl championship earlier this year after serving as the team’s head coach since 2006. The title capped a four-year span which also saw the Saints win 42 games, claim two division titles and appear in a pair of NFC Championship games (2006 and 2009). Sean has served on the staffs of the Eagles, Giants and Cowboys in the NFL while his collegiate coaching stops included San Diego State, Indiana State, Miami of Ohio and Illinois. A three-time All-American selection at EIU, he had professional stints with Chicago of the Arena Football League, Ottawa of the Canadian Football League and the Chicago Bears. Sean was inducted into the EIU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2000 and his jersey number was retired by the university earlier this year.
Jennifer Ketchmark Brehm ’06 was named Outstanding Young Alumnus for 2010. Jennifer currently serves as the lead evening broadcast meteorologist for WCIA-TV in Champaign after beginning her career there while still an undergraduate. Following her graduation from EIU with a bachelor's degree in Communication Studies and a minor in Broadcast Meteorology, Jennifer received a certificate in Broadcast Meteorology from Mississippi State University. She won the Broadcast Education Association's National Collegiate Weather Broadcaster of the Year in 2006 as a student. Since graduation, Jennifer has volunteered her time to assist at EIU and EIU Foundation events.
