SARASOTA, Fla., Nov. 18, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- This weekend, Ringling College of Art and Design held its 21st Annual Trustee Scholar Awards, honoring 13 extraordinary students representing each major and the Office of Student Life. This year's theme, Transformations, recognized the creative development of these young artists and designers and the transformative power of their work.
The Trustee Scholarship is the highest honor awarded by the Ringling College Board of Trustees and President Dr. Larry R. Thompson. The awardees best exemplify originality, brilliance, ambition, and talent in their area of study. In addition to the recognition, awardees also receive a $5,000 scholarship.
"The creative journey is an endless one—and our theme, Transformations, honors this moment in the development of our Trustee Scholars as artists, designers, and creative thinkers," says Dr. Larry R. Thompson, President of Ringling College of Art and Design. "Their stories of hard work, vision, and perseverance inspired and heartened every person in the room."
Every year, two third year students from each major and Student Life are nominated by faculty and the Office of Student Life for the Trustee Scholarship. The Board of Trustees then reviews each submission and portfolio to select the one student from each major and Student Life to receive the award based on:
1. Exceptional talent and distinction of mind;
2. Contribution to the department, College, and/or community; and
3. Leadership, citizenship and mentorship.
Ringling College of Art and Design 2015-2016 Trustee Scholars:
LUIZA ALANIZ, Computer Animation, Sao Paolo, Brazil and Rochester Hills, Michigan
SARA BICKNELL, Student Life, Gainesville, Florida
BEN BRYANT, Graphic Design, Jensen Beach, Florida
JASMINE FERNANDEZ, Motion Design, Miami, Florida
IRENE GARIBAY, Fine Arts, Mexico City, Mexico
LAUREN GAYLE Interior Design, High Point, North Carolina
JUSTINE HAMER, Game Art, Smith's Parish Bermuda
NIKELLE MACKEY Business of Art & Design, Apache Junction, Arizona
TEBELLO MOSENENE Advertising Design, Maseru. Lesotho
KADE O'CASEY, Illustration, The Colony, Texas
ROBERT PAYNE, Film, Parkton, Maryland
REBECCA SABOWSKI, Photography & Imaging, LaSalle, Illinois
KEVIN WHITMEYER, Game Art, Bethesda, Maryland
Photo Descriptions:
Ringling College 2015 Trustee Scholars: Front L-R: Tebello Mosenene, Jasmine Fernandez, Nikelle Mackey, Irene Garibay, Rebecca Sabowski and Luiza Alaniz, Back: Robert Payne, Sara Bicknell, Justine Hamer, Kade O'Casey, Kevin Whitmeyer and Benjamin Bryant. Missing from photo: Lauren Gayle. Photo by Lori Sax
Ringling College of Art and Design President Dr. Larry R. Thompson speaking at the 2015 Trustee Scholars Awards Saturday, November 14, 2015. Photo by Lori Sax
About Ringling College of Art and Design
For nearly 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in eleven disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College's rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers.
Located in Sarasota on Florida's Gulf Coast, the picturesque 48-acre campus includes more than 110 buildings, and enrolls over 1,300 students from 44 states and 54 countries. It is recognized as being among the best and most innovative visual arts colleges in the United States as well as a leader in the use of technology in the arts. Visit the Ringling College website, or follow Ringling College on Facebook and Twitter for more news and information.
Photos accompanying this release are available at:
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37713
http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37715
