New Communications Awards Program to Honor Late Faculty Member
By Quill Staff
The Susquehanna University Department of Communications has announced the creation of a new annual awards program: The Auggie Awards, named in honor of the late Larry Augustine. The announcement was made during the department’s inaugural AuggiePalooza celebration on Friday, April 11.
Larry Augustine, affectionately known for his iconic mustache and unwavering dedication to his students and department, began his career at Susquehanna in 1966. He chaired the Department of Communications and Theatre Arts until the majors split into separate departments. Augustine then continued to chair the communications department until his retirement in 2016 after 50 years of changing the department for the better.
Larry’s accomplishments include growing the “communications major” from one singular degree to five: advertising and public relations, broadcasting, communications studies, journalism and digital content, and sports media. His main mission was to provide students with meaningful learning experiences that would prepare them for the workforce.He consistently adjusted the experiences as he attended conferences to see movements in education and talked with field professionals to better understand their needs in recent graduates. Augustine didn’t just look to the future. He looked out for his department and every student in it.
PerhapsAugustine’s most notable contribution to the campus community was his founding of WQSU-FM in 1967, which grew to become the largest student-run radio station in Pennsylvania. Augustine was the station’s general manager for 49 years until his retirement. To honor him for his relentless drive, passionate efforts and years of dedication to the success of the campus radio station, Augustine was publicly recognized in 2021 through the reveal of the Larry Augustine Studio at WQSU, located in the lower level of the Degenstein Campus Center.
Since passing in 2022, the Department of Communications has also been looking for a way to honor Augustine and the profound legacy he left behind. Through the Auggie Awards, taking place next year, the department will reward excellence in the classroom and encourage students to push their boundaries, just as their first department chair did.