Fifteen of Ringling College of Art and Design’s most outstanding students will be recognized later this year for their exceptional creative talent, community involvement, and leadership.
The College’s annual Trustee Scholar Awards celebration will take place on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. The event will begin with a reception, followed by a formal ceremony during which each Scholar will be introduced. Scholars will then have the opportunity to share remarks with guests—family, friends, College faculty and staff—about how they are helping to inspire the new future of art and design.
Each year, the Scholars choose a theme, one which defines them as a collective unit of leaders. This year’s concept was Luminaries: a source of light, obtaining brilliant achievement and inspiring others. Individually, these 15 scholar artists and designers are uniquely talented, dedicated, and innovative. Together, and with the support of the College’s faculty, staff, trustees, friends, families, and supporters, these distinguished students are driven to pursue excellence and to be the spark that ignites a bright and shining future.
Meet this year’s Trustee Scholars, the Luminaries.
Ellie Massing, Business of Art and Design
Elena Serenko, Computer Animation
Logan Faulkner, Creative Writing
Shellsea Coe, Entertainment Design
Milena Montero, Film
Christina Antoniou, Fine Arts
Laela Russell, Game Art
Sandra Lee, Graphic Design
Tako Pharsenadze, Graphic Design
Micah Eubanks, Illustration
Hannah Nguyen, Motion Design
Stephanie Varone, Photography and Imaging
Yuntian Dai, Virtual Reality Development
Ping Ho, Visual Studies
Alejandra Cintrón Rivera, Student Life
* Two students were selected from Graphic Design this year due to a tie vote.
The Trustee Scholarship is awarded annually to one fourth year student who best exemplifies dedication, originality, brilliance, ambition, and talent in their field of study, as well as service to the College and to the community. Each year, the faculty in each academic department and representatives from the Office of Student Life nominate two students from the junior class in their areas for consideration as Trustee Scholars for the following year. Nominees are required to submit a written statement and a portfolio of their work for the Trustee Scholar Selection Committee, composed of members of the Board of Trustees to review and make a selection.
The winners are selected based on:
- Exceptional creative talent, communication skills, and distinction of mind
- Contributions to the department, College, and/or community
- Leadership, citizenship, mentorship
The nomination process for the 2024-25 Trustee Scholars will begin this spring and the winners will be selected by the Board of Trustees in May. Learn more about the Trustee Scholar Award and see past Scholars and events.
