Class of 2021
Congratulations
Graduates!
Congratulations to RIT's newest graduates! Here, we celebrate the past, present and future accomplishments of the College of Art and Design Class of 2021 as well as the Class of 2020.
Congratulations to the Class of 2021! You have much to be proud of! You have overcome personal and academic challenges throughout your journey at RIT. This last year certainly tested your resolve but you rose to meet this pivotal time in history. These moments of resilience will propel you forward in the next chapter of your life. Go out into the world and make your mark with passion and purpose. As an RIT Tiger, you dream big and take bold risks. We can’t wait to see how it all unfolds."
Todd Jokl
Dean
College of Art and Design
Ceremonies
Class of 2021
The College of Art and Design's in-person commencement ceremony was held Friday, May 14, in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. While guests were not permitted to attend the indoor ceremony in light of current New York State regulations, it was live-streamed on RIT's graduation website.
Class of 2020
The College of Art and Design's Class of 2020 in-person commencement ceremony took place Sunday, May 16, 2021 in the Gordon Field House and Activities Center. Guests were not permitted to attend the Class of 2020 indoor events, but they were also live-streamed on RIT's graduation website.
Class of 2021 Sendoff
RIT Reflections
A group of students from the RIT College of Art and Design Class of 2021 reflect on their favorite RIT moments and offer some inspirational words for their peers.
Spring Exhibitions
RIT City Art Space was highly active this spring, hosting a carousel of exhibitions featuring graduating students’ capstone and thesis work. Below is a collection of highlights from the shows! Hover over an image for photo credit.
Virtual Yearbook
Take a trip down memory lane with this collection of photos of the Class of 2021 over the years at RIT. Video by Lucie Robert '22 (New Media Design).
Faculty and staff in the College of Art and Design share words of inspiration and encouragement with this year's graduates.
College of Art and Design alumni share their Tiger Wisdom with this year's graduating class.
What's Next?
Graduates from RIT's Class of 2021 share what's next for them. From jobs with Fortune 500 companies to prestigious graduate programs and service opportunities, they have some amazing futures ahead!
Delegates
Each college at RIT selects one undergraduate student and may also choose one graduate student to represent its degree candidates — students whose overall personal achievement demonstrates the ideals of RIT including, but not limited to, academic achievement.
2021
Matty Feric, Film and Animation BFA
From Rivers Edge, N.J., Feric's work has been featured in 12 films during his time in RIT's School of Film and Animation. Nine of them were selected for the school's annual Honors Show or other awards. Feric's professional experience also includes working as a teaching assistant and for RIT’s Telefund, for which he secured more than $25,000 for the university in donations. Additionally, Feric served as the treasurer of the RIT Film, Video, Animation Student Association (FVASA) — a student-run organization that organizes screenings and facilitates workshops, among other things.
Unique Fair, Fine Arts Studio MFA
From Rochester, N.Y., Fair also graduated from RIT in 2019 with a BFA in Illustration. His artwork has been displayed in multiple galleries, including the Joy Gallery in Rochester and the White Pigeon Studio in New York City. Fair's work has also been archived in the RIT Libraries archives and accepted into Signatures, an RIT student-run art and literacy magazine. In recognition of his efforts, Fair has received numerous awards, including being named the first-place winner of the Twenty20 Art Showcase and Competition. He has also worked as an adjunct faculty member in the College of Art and Design. Fair was part of the Destler/Johnson Rochester City Scholars program as an undergraduate student and pursued his graduate studies as one of the first two recipients of the Mark and Maureen Davitt Graduate Education Endowed Scholarship.
2020
Elizabeth Dettmann, Film and Animation BFA
From Bel Air, Md., Dettmann created two short films called Feets and Jack while at RIT. Both have been screened in multiple film festivals, including the Animation Block Party in Brooklyn, N.Y. Dettmann also helped develop two games called “Elderberry Trails” and “Well Wishes,” which were selected to represent RIT at the Game Developers Conference. In addition to being a member of the RIT Honors Program, Dettmann is a founding member and former president of the Animation Club as well as a recipient of the Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award. In 2019, she served as a production intern on the Cartoon Network series Craig of the Creek.
Granville Carroll, Photography and Related Media MFA
From Bothell, Wash., Carroll previously graduated with a BFA in art photography from the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts at Arizona State University as well as an associate in arts from Mesa Community College. Carroll's photography has been displayed in numerous shows across the country, including two solo exhibitions in Phoenix, Ariz. At RIT, he received the Richard Stanley Award and served as the president and co-chair of a photo arts collective called The Draft.
Get Social
Grad Caps
Share your decorated cap on Instagram using #RITgradcap!
Making Memories
Post your commencement moments on social using #RITgrad and #RITartdesigngrad!
Campus Celebration
Visit RIT's commencement website for more info and resources, including a selfie station map, dining hours and more!
Awards
Office of the Provost
Faculty, students and staff across RIT are recognized each year for their outstanding efforts in and out of the classroom with awards from the Office of the Provost. College of Art and Design faculty who were recognized for 2020 and 2021 include:
Trustees Scholarship Award
Gregory Halpern
Professor, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
Among the most accomplished photographers working today, Halpern was recognized for his internationally celebrated scholarly and creative works. His accolades include nine phonebooks and exhibitions in eminent venues.
Innovative Teaching with Technology Award
Lara Goulart
Visiting Lecturer, School of Design
Goulart won the honor for integrating her research on creative learning methods in the classroom. Her approach facilitates creative collaboration — and, in the wake of COVID-19, promotes a safe space for students to learn without compromising the quality of education.
Eisenhart Provost’s Award for Excellence in Teaching
Josh Thorson
Assistant Professor, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
Thorson, program director of RIT's MFA in Photography and Related Media, received the distinguished honor in 2020. The award recognizes tenure-track who excel in teaching and leadership.
College of Art and Design
Each year, the college recognizes students, faculty and staff with end-of-year awards at commencement. This year's honorees are:
Romano Prize
Ambarien Alqadar
Assistant Professor, School of Film and Animation
The Frank J. Romano Prize for Publishing Entrepreneurship is given to a faculty member/team who works with students to create innovative publications using new technologies and/or workflows.
2020 winner: Miguel Cardona and Hye-Jin Nae, School of Design
Outstanding Graduate Student Award
Komal Ashfaq
Film and Animation MFA
Awarded annually to an MFA, MS or MST candidate in the College of Art and Design.
2020 winner: Carlos Mario Tobón Franco, Photography and Related Media MFA
Gitner Family Prize
Jack Beck
Professor, School of Film and Animation
The award is given to a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in an area related to graphic communication who has been judged to have made an outstanding contribution to their profession.
2020 winners: Josh Meltzer and Jenn Poggi, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
Pfizenmaier Award
Stephanie Liu
New Media Design student
Miguel Cardona (mentor)
Assistant Professor, School of Design
The Irene Pfizenmaier Award for Excellence in Graphic Expression is given each year to a student recipient, who selects a faculty mentor to share the honor with.
2020 winner (and mentor): Anna Schum-Houck (Lorrie Frear, School of Design)
Edline M. Chun Award
Melanie Martinek
School of Art
The Edline M. Chun Award for Outstanding Teaching and Service recognizes an adjunct faculty member who has shown excellence in teaching and provided exemplary service to their affiliated school and the college.
2020 winner: Lorianne Resch, School of Design
Staff Recognition Award
Jennifer Whitlock
Archivist, Vignelli Center for Design Studies
The award recognizes a College of Art and Design staff member for their outstanding contributions within the college and RIT campus community. Photo by Elizabeth Lamark.
Retirements
The College of Art and Design congratulates the faculty and staff who have retired this academic year after amazing careers at RIT!
- Rick Auburn (45 years), Facilities and Operations
- Donna Sterlace (39 years), Student Services
- Ken White (36 years; commencement mace bearer), School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
- Doug Nishimura (34 years), Image Permanence Institute
- Debbie Kingsbury (32 years), Student Services
- Alan Singer (32 years), School of Art
- Terie DeClerck (31 years), Scheduling Office
- Bill Wadeikis (31 years), Facilities and Operations
- Cat Ashworth (30 years), School of Film and Animation
- Angela Kelly (27 years), School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
- Roberley Bell (27 years), School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
- Patti Lachance (26 years), School of Design
- Jean-Louis Bigourdan (26 years), Image Permanence Institute
- Bob Fleck (22 years), Facilities and Operations
- Bob Fiore (15 years), Facilities and Operations
- Bruce Leonard (9 years; will remain as adjunct), School of Design