The Schieffer School of Journalism will honor Steven Michael Dabbs in April during Honors Week as 2013‘s Departmental Senior Scholar. Dabbs, a strategic communication major, holds a 3.99 cumulative GPA, the highest GPA among the qualified candidates.
Michael Dabbs
Dabbs was selected as Departmental Senior Scholar after fulfilling the criteria for the position. The Honors College requires a cumulative 3.5 GPA, a graduation date during the 2012-13 academic year and a consensus from the faculty in the department. In staying with the custom of the past three years, the faculty selected Dabbs for his academics and for his demonstrated leadership, along with his contribution to programs both in and out of the Schieffer School. In addition to his academics, Dabbs is a member of the Student Government Association, TCU Model United Nations, Beta Theta Pi fraternity, Student Foundation, Chancellor’s Leadership Program and the Honors College Student Cabinet. Dabbs studied abroad in the Spring 2012 semester in Florence, Italy, studying international politics and conflict resolution. A member of the John V. Roach Honors College, Dabbs is preparing a senior thesis entitled “Public Relations and Advocacy Activities of NGOs working in South Sudan.” The thesis is an examination of post-conflict civil and societal capacity-building development, using South Sudan as a case study. His thesis adviser, strategic communication chair Jacque Lambiase, called Dabbs a “strong writer and critical thinker” who is heavily involved on TCU’s campus. Professionally, Dabbs has interned at Fort Worth Sister Cities, State Senator Wendy Davis’ district office and the Blanche Lincoln for Senate campaign. After graduation, Dabbs plans to attend graduate school in the field of political communication and public affairs in Washington, D.C., and work with non-profit and NGO communication networks. When Dabbs finds free time, he enjoys traveling, singing, going to sporting events, being with friends and trying new things.