The Glendy Burke Medal in Communication
Congratulations Bethany Milner on being selected as the 2026 Glendy Burke Medal in Communication Award winner. This award is given to the student who best combines academic performance and contributions to community in the field of communication.
My journey at Tulane University has been defined by purpose, leadership, and a deep commitment to using my voice in service of others. As a Communication and Digital Media Practices major with a minor in Strategy, Leadership, and Analytics, I have intentionally pursued experiences that strengthen my ability to research, analyze, and effectively convey complex ideas. While these skills are essential to my goal of becoming a legislative attorney, my decision to study Communication was rooted in something even deeper: a desire to understand people, build meaningful connections and serve communities with cultural awareness and integrity. I chose Communication because I believe the law is, at its core, about advocacy. Effective advocacy requires more than strong arguments; it requires listening, empathy, and the ability to engage across differences. Through my coursework and professional experiences, I have sharpened my research abilities, Within the Communication Department, under the guidance of Professor Daniella Zalcman in her Community Engagement Journalism class, I had the opportunity of immersing myself in learning about the Vietnamese community in New Orleans East. Attending festivals and community events, meeting elders and local leaders, and witnessing the richness and resilience of this dynamic community was very impactful. Professor Zalcman and the department emphasized a model of servant leadership that is not transactional but focused on connection and community.
Beyond academics, my leadership roles on campus have reinforced the importance of being culturally competent and understanding different perspectives. Serving as President of the Black Student Union, Intercultural Council, and the Nu Mu Citywide Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. has required me to engage with diverse perspectives, lead civic-minded programs and initiatives and create spaces where underrepresented voices are able to be spotlighted. All in all, communication is not just my major; it is the foundation of my identity.
The combination of rigorous research skills, leadership experience, and cultural awareness I have cultivated at Tulane prepares me to enter the world as an effective advocate. As I pursue a career in legislative law, I am confident that the skills developed through my studies with the Communication department will enable me to craft meaningful policy, advocate with clarity and awareness, and serve communities to the best of my ability. As a Communication driven by a passion for advocacy and influence, after graduation, I plan to utilize the skills learned from my degree to immerse myself in legislative policy work through an internship in Washington, D.C.
As a Communication major driven by a commitment to advocacy, strategic messaging, and the transformative role of communication, I plan to use my degree to shape public policy and to enact change in my community. Following graduation, I will prepare for the LSAT while pursuing an internship in Washington, D.C., where I plan to gain hands-on experience in legislative policy work. Utilizing my academic foundation as a Communication major, I will navigate and influence dynamic political environments for the better. I, ultimately, plan to attend law school and pursue a career at the intersection of law, policy, and public service.
Bethany, from the faculty and staff in the School of Liberal Arts, Department of Communication we congratulate you on a job well done and being this year's recipient of the Glendy Burke Medal in Communication. We wish you the best in all your future endeavors.
- 2025 Recipient, Emma De Leon
- 2024 Recipient, Joseph P. Mazzarella
- 2023 Recipient, Carlotta Murrin
- 2022 Recipient, Lance Brunson
- 2021 Recipient, Juan Alejandro Olarte-Cortés
