Graduating students with friends and family following Spring 2015 commencement. Photo: John Dlugolecki
“Sun is shining. Weather is sweet. Make you wanna move your dancing feet.” Bob Marley
This Saturday, following a sometimes exhaustive, always intensive, memorably vigorous and astonishingly creative commitment to making and learning, 91 ArtCenter students will receive their diplomas. This will be the second graduation ceremony to be held at the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, a thankfully climate-controlled venue conveniently located between Hillside and South campuses.
As the day approaches, let’s celebrate these creative and talented individuals who are about to take on the world. Here’s the lowdown for the week:
Thursday, August 13: Graduation Show Preview
Industry leaders, employers, corporate partners, donors and alumni get the first look at the Summer term’s graduating artists and designers at the invitation-only Graduation Show Preview, held from 6–9 pm, with a private reception following.
Undergraduate candidates from Advertising, Environmental Design, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Imaging, Product Design and Transportation Design will be showing. Graduate Film, Graduate Industrial Design and Transportation Systems master’s candidates will also have work on display. This event, hosted by Alumni Relations to welcome new graduates into the community, gives all degree candidates an opportunity to network with their future peers.
Spring 2015 Graduation Pasadena Civic Auditorium. Photo: John Dlugolecki
Saturday, August 15: Graduation
The graduation ceremony begins at 10 a.m. at the Pasadena Civic auditorium. The 83 baccalaureate and eight master’s candidates—along with faculty, staff, family and friends—will be welcomed by President Lorne Buchman and will hear from Provost Fred Fehlau (BFA 79, MFA 88), who will deliver the graduation remarks. The crowd will also have an opportunity to hear from valedictorian Heidi Christine Aubrey, who is receiving a BFA in Illustration, graduating with the highest GPA of the entire Summer 2015 graduating class.
The Illustration department almost made a clean sweep at this term’s graduation, producing the Valedictorian, Student Leadership Award winner, ArtCenter Honors recipient, and part-time faculty Great Teacher.
The Student Leadership Award is given out each term to a student who exemplifies standout leadership qualities and accomplishments. This term, a committee of students, faculty, and staff affirmed the values of this award by selecting to recognize Illustration student Claire Isabelle Maloy. As a student from Great Britain, Maloy found her own college orientation overwhelming and made it a point to become a source of guidance for new students. She became a peer mentor and helped students both individually and in larger groups. Working with other students and staff, she also left an indelible stamp on the College by introducing to the student cafeteria a variety of alternative menu items for gluten-intolerant and gluten-sensitive individuals.
The College is also recognizing Maria Kirsten Oglesby, also an Illustration major who began her ArtCenter career taking ArtCenter at Night classes, granting her a tuition-free term under the ArtCenter Honors program. This award is given to graduates who perform exceptionally well at ArtCenter, and who have designed an additional term of independent study that is broadening, challenging, experimental and individual. In return, ArtCenter Honors recipients provide a variety of services to the College.
As is custom at summer commencement, the College will be presenting awards to one full-time and one part-time faculty member. Graduate Industrial Design Department Chair Andy Ogden will be receiving the Great Teacher award for full-time faculty and Illustration instructor Christian Clayton nabbed the part-time faculty laurels. Officially honored since 1986, recipients are selected by a committee of ArtCenter students following a nomination process open to all students. During the award’s history, instructors from across all departments have been recognized for their significant and life-changing contributions toward student learning. The Great Teacher Award embodies ArtCenter’s remarkable spirit of excellence, the extraordinary contributions and skill of our revered instructors and, perhaps most importantly, our commitment to prepare students for a life marked by professional and personal impact.
Saturday, August 15: Graduation Show
After the ceremony, Graduation Show opens to the public at both Hillside and South Campuses from 1–6 p.m., where work by the newest ArtCenter graduates will be on display. The show features student projects from major fields of study at ArtCenter, including Advertising, Environmental Design, Film, Graphic Design, Illustration, Photography and Imaging, Product Design, Transportation Design, Graduate Film, Graduate Industrial Design and Graduate Transportation Systems and Design at Hillside Campus and Fine Art graduates will be showing at the 870 Building at South Campus.
