Hall of Fame inductions during the Bobcat Weekend event on October 18 honored three distinguished alumni and trailblazers who’ve shaped the future of media and communication.

School of Communications Dean Nadine Barnett Cosby said she has the privilege of standing on the shoulders of those who built the school and of working alongside the extraordinary team that continues to move it forward.

Quinnipiac President Marie Hardin said the School of Communications is a school on the move.

“This is a school who's star is shining brighter and brighter, and it is a joy to see the way the community comes together and gives our students incredible opportunities,” Hardin said.

Barnett Cosby shared a timeline history of the innovative growth and development of facilities, technology, degree programs and student opportunities at the School of Communications. Barnett Cosby said marking 25 years of history was also a time to celebrate the vision, creativity and influence of the school as a leader in preparing graduates who make a lasting impact across the industry.

“Twenty-five years ago, the School of Communications was born out of the belief that great stories told with integrity, skill, and imagination have the power to change the world,” Barnett Cosby said. “And over those years, our students and alumni have done exactly that. From newsrooms to film sets, from design studios to digital agencies, from board rooms to sports arenas, Bobcats are out there shaping the future of media and communications.”

For outstanding achievement in the field of Communications, the Quinnipiac School of Communications Hall of Fame inducted sports communications pioneer Tim Beach, ’90, ABC News correspondent Ike Ejiochi, MS ’14, and Mercy Quaye,’13, MS ‘18, founder of The Narrative Project — Connecticut’s first anti-racist public relations agency.

Beach said he built his skills at Quinnipiac with guidance and support from faculty such as adjunct professor Bruce Taylor, ’81, a former director of photography at ESPN; Professor Emeritus of Communications Raymond Foery, and Professor Emeritus of Journalism Richard Hanley, among many others.

“I’m just so proud of this university,” said Beach, who credits the internship he landed as a Quinnipiac student with changing his life.

“I probably wouldn’t be here without that internship. It opened my career path door,” Beach said.

He began his career while still a student at Quinnipiac, landing a full-time job with the New York Yankees before graduation. Beach has held senior roles with the New York Islanders, Anaheim Ducks and Arizona Cardinals, and worked on over 3,500 events, including the Super Bowl, Olympics, FIFA World Cup and U.S. Open Tennis.

Inducted into the Information Display & Entertainment Association Hall of Fame in 2018, he currently serves as director of business development at D3 LED, runs his own production company, and is the spring training voice of the Los Angeles Angels.

“The world of event presentation and game entertainment and sports was a relatively new thing when I started. And now, it’s everywhere you go, and we are a part of every game day experience,” said Beach.

Ejiochi joined ABC News based in New York in 2021, reporting on national stories across the network’s platforms. A recipient of an Emmy Award, Ejiochi previously reported for Fox 5 DC, Fox 61 Hartford and KODE in Missouri. In addition to his reporting, he has served as an adjunct professor of journalism at Quinnipiac.

Ejiochi recalled feeling at home from the first moment he stepped onto Quinnipiac’s campus. He also remembers the moment he decided to attend the School of Communications, where he earned his master’s in broadcast journalism.

“I had a top five list of journalism schools, and obviously Quinnipiac was on there, and I didn’t really make that decision until I stepped foot on campus. The very first person I met was Mr. Rich Hanley,” Ejiochi said.

Hanley told Ejiochi he would be in good hands at Quinnipiac.

“It was just that opening arm that really introduced me to what it meant to belong to a place like Quinnipiac University. That really started to make the foundation and started this whole journey to where I’m at today,” Ejiochi said.

Quaye shared her thoughts about connecting Quinnipiac to the concept of home.

“Not just as a place that you return to, or rest your head at, but as a commitment you have to a set of people,” said Quaye. “The idea of home as a right to exist without fear. And there’s something about the community here at Quinnipiac that gives each of us that right; but not gives – almost reminds us – that you always have it."

An award-winning public relations entrepreneur, journalist, professor and social justice advocate, Quaye’s groundbreaking RAISED Model of Anti-Racist Public Relations has supported advocacy organizations nationwide.

Quaye said many members of the school’s faculty provided her with advice, lessons and mentorship. She developed The Narrative Project’s RAISED model in the classroom of Antoaneta Vanc, associate professor of Public Relations and chair of Advertising and Public Relations.

“She told me that if I have an idea, we can always operationalize that and turn it into theory,” said Quaye. “And the RAISED model of public relations actually is the fruit of my time here. The business model for it was developed in Antoaneta Vanc’s class.”

Quaye began her career in journalism, then transitioned to mission-driven communications, with a focus on education advocacy and racial justice. She teaches digital journalism at Southern Connecticut State University and public relations and branding at Quinnipiac and serves on several professional boards.

Among numerous accolades, Quaye was a 2023 recipient of Quinnipiac’s MLK Dream Award and the 2024 Excellence in Advocacy Award from the Quinnipiac Chamber of Commerce.

Barnett Cosby said the School of Communications Hall of Fame honors individuals whose professional excellence, leadership and integrity reflect the missions and values of the school, and who show a commitment to continue to inspire the next generation of storytellers, communicators and to Quinnipiac University.

“Each of our inductees today represents a different facet of what we do, in journalism, media and event production, and public communication; but they’re united by their passion for telling meaningful stories and making a difference,” said Barnett Cosby.

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