Michael Spacciapolli, recently named Regional Vice President for Audacy overseeing Pittsburgh, Buffalo, Rochester, Richmond, and Norfolk, has built nearly two decades of distinguished leadership in Pittsburgh radio. Under his guidance, KDKA Radio and 93.7 The Fan have earned back-to-back National Association of Broadcasters Marconi Awards in 2024 and 2025. A graduate of Ithaca College, Spacc joined CBS Radio Pittsburgh in 2007 and was named Senior Vice President and Market Manager following the CBS Radio/Entercom merger in 2018. He is also deeply committed to community service, supporting organizations including the Stanley M. Marks Blood Cancer Research Fund and serving as a Live Like Luca Ambassador.

Andrew Stockey has been a cornerstone of Pittsburgh’s Action News 4 (WTAE) since 1995, co-anchoring weekday newscasts and serving as sports anchor. A graduate of Ohio University’s Honors Tutorial College, Stockey also co-hosts ‘Black and Gold Primetime’ and ‘Penguins on 4,’ serves on both the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor and Pittsburgh Penguins Hall of Fame selection committees, and will be inducted into the National High School Football Hall of Fame this July for his three decades covering ‘Operation Football.’

Kitty Julian, Chief Marketing Officer for United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, brings more than 30 years of experience across education, the arts, philanthropy, and women’s leadership. Previously director of communications at The Pittsburgh Foundation and marketing director at The Ellis School — where she earned a CASE Gold Award for Institutional Branding in 2015 — Kitty holds a BA in Communication from Rowan University and is an active member of Pittsburgh’s nonprofit communications community.

Mike White has covered Western Pennsylvania high school sports for the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette for nearly 50 years, beginning with his first byline in the summer of 1979 while still in high school. Named high school sports editor in 1986, White has won Keystone Awards, Golden Quill Awards, Associated Press national awards, and was recently recognized as one of the top 10 high school beat reporters in the country by the Associated Press Sports Editors. He was inducted into the Pennsylvania Sports Hall of Fame Western Chapter in 2016.

Cassie Vadala, VP and Media Director at RJW Media, is recognized for her tireless contributions to MAP since 2018, including serving as Vice President of Celebrations in 2023 and 2024. A Pittsburgh native who built her media career in New York City at Havas and MediaCom before returning home in 2018, Cassie is known for her expertise as an omnichannel strategist and her dedication to fostering both professional and personal connections within the local media community.

Bob Butter, founder of Veritas Communications Advisors and a giant of Pittsburgh public relations for more than 30 years, is honored posthumously for a career defined by integrity, excellence, and community service. Butter’s guidance was invaluable to Tree of Life Congregation Rabbi Jeffrey Myers in the aftermath of the October 27, 2018 attack, and his reputation as ‘the patriarch of public relations‘ was echoed by colleagues and clients throughout his career. The name of his firm, Veritas — Latin for ‘truth’ — embodied his lifelong commitment to his craft.

“I am incredibly grateful to receive this scholarship and to be recognized in honor of Mary Beth Beggy Fischerkeller’s legacy. This recognition means so much to me and reflects the hard work and passion I’ve put into my journey so far. I feel truly honored and inspired to continue pursuing my goals with purpose, while striving to make a meaningful impact in the field.”

Ashlyn Hudak is a sophomore Marketing student at the University of Pittsburgh, where she is pursuing specialized certificates in Sports Management, Digital Marketing, and Professional Sales. Deeply connected to her university as a legacy student, she currently serves as a Digital Marketing Coordinator for Roof Works USA, leading social media campaigns with significant reach. At the Pitt Business Center for Branding, she contributes to research as a Scholar-in-Residence, focusing on the impact of artificial intelligence in marketing.

Ashlyn further balances her academic load with high-impact roles at Pitt Athletics and as a Brand Ambassador for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Her competitive edge is highlighted by a first-place finish in a Pitt Business Professional Sales Academy case competition, showcasing her talent for strategic execution. With a diverse background spanning digital strategy and live event activation, she is uniquely prepared for a career at the intersection of sports and media. Ultimately, Ashlyn aims to leverage her foundation in marketing analytics and experiential branding to drive innovation in the sports industry.

“As I go into my senior year, this scholarship not only provides financial support but gives me confidence that I belong in the communications field.”

Paige Rishel is a distinguished Schreyer Honors Scholar at Penn State, where she is pursuing a dual major in Public Relations and History alongside minors in Data Analytics and American Sign Language. Her impressive professional background includes communications internships with prestigious organizations such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute-AI Division. This summer, she will further hone her skills through a competitive internship at the Library of Congress, adding to a resume defined by academic excellence and professional versatility.

In addition to her corporate experience, Paige is a global explorer and entrepreneur, having studied in Cambodia with future plans to study cultural communications in Kenya and Vietnam. She also operates a successful photography business in State College and serves as a freelance photographer for Penn State. Driven by a commitment to lifelong learning, Paige aspires to leverage her diverse skill set to build a meaningful career in scientific communications within the healthcare industry following her graduation.