Friday, May 29, 2026
Reception: 8:30 a.m. Brunch: 9:00 a.m.
Alumni Memorial Union, Monaghan Ballroom
Communicator of the Year
Swati D. Joshi, Comm '94
Alpharetta, Ga.
Swati Joshi has had a vibrant 30-year career in communications, with experience at Siemens, GE and now Beacon Partners, her own flourishing boutique communications consulting firm. Along the way, Marquette has been a beacon for Swati. “It is at the core of my success,” she says. “So much of the goodness in my life traces back to this incredible community.”
Professional Achievement Award
Christopher J. Duffey, Comm '96
Sunny Isles Beach, Fla.
As head of AI and Agentic systems product strategy, innovation and go-to-market for Adobe, Christopher Duffey stands at the forefront of understanding and shaping how AI will influence our lives. He credits Marquette for preparing him to engage with the complex questions he faces daily. “The skills developed through the College of Communication — clarity of thought, ethical reasoning and the ability to engage diverse perspectives — prepare graduates to operate in moments where answers are incomplete and consequences are real,” he says.
Service Award
Jamaul M. Webster, Comm '05
New York, N.Y.
Jamaul Webster loved his experience at a Jesuit high school in Chicago so much that he chose to apply only to Jesuit colleges. He arrived at Marquette “deeply committed to a community rooted in excellence, faith, leadership and service,” he says. Today, his work and volunteer roles reflect his drive to “improve the conditions of those most marginalized and fight for justice.”
Young Alumni Award
Sophia M. Minnaert, Comm '09
Milwaukee, Wis.
Sophia Minnaert chose Marquette for two reasons: She loved the sense of community on campus and wanted to study journalism in a media market with top internship and work opportunities. Her drive led her to work as a reporter for Fox Sports Wisconsin and to her current role as broadcast and digital features content director for the Milwaukee Brewers.
James T. Tiedge Memorial Award
Kevin B. Boyd, Comm '91
Chicago, Ill.
Kevin Boyd says his admiration for the remarkable staff and faculty he met at Marquette led him to a career in higher education. Today, as chief information officer at the University of Chicago, he is passionate about supporting the research and teaching that happens there. “My teams are an important enabler for the success of faculty, staff and students at the University of Chicago,” he says.
