Meet some of the students who make Ringling College great
Get to know our brilliant and talented students. Read their inside perspectives on the Ringling College campus culture, what they will miss the most about their time here, and hear about the unique experiences they have had during their time as students.
she/her
The College has high energy. Everyone here truly cares about what they do and is very talented, so you have people who are super passionate about their craft. I really like how inspiring that is.
In Fine Arts, you’d think people would be super focused on their individual work, which, to a certain extent, is true. We also have a fun community because we are all interested in each other’s work, so there’s this sense of community, but also healthy competition, as everyone wants you to be the best and also wants to do their best.
We had these duo shows during our Junior year towards the end of the year, where you work with another student to put a show together of our work. It was really a lot of work but it’s rewarding once it’s done—you get to see your work up so you have that accomplished feeling and that’s great!
she/her
One moment that stands out from my time at Ringling is the first brainstorming meeting for GENESIS Fashion Show. We had students from Graphic Design, Photography, Virtual Reality, music—you name it. Everyone was throwing out ideas and collaborating in ways that crossed majors. It showed me how much freedom we have to experiment and create here. For me, it captured the spirit of trying new things without fear, and discovering skills I never thought I had. It pushed me to collaborate on projects with people from all kinds of majors, which opened me up even more.
The International Cultures Club was a huge opportunity for me to build community. As an international student, it gave me a safe space to connect with others going through the same experience. It helped me feel proud of where I’m from while also becoming more comfortable meeting new people. And then through the Student Government Association, I got to help address campus issues and discovered things like the sustainability committee, which was really rewarding.
A new digital format for alumni news with extended content.
Our mission is to create community and connect you for life: It’s your Ringling Network. We love that with this new format, we can highlight more of YOUR artwork. Send us your news using our Keep in Touch form or alumni@ringling.edu. Your creativity and heart will guide this digital publication. Let us know your thoughts.
We invite alumni to get involved! There is so much happening on campus, where alumni are welcome, from classes and lectures to programs and events. We also have volunteer opportunities available to alumni everywhere around the world.
Don’t forget the swag! We have a small gift for you to enjoy and show your Ringling pride: Alumni pennant magnets for your car or studio. Drop into the office anytime to pick yours up. We would love to see you.
Kind regards,
Susan Borozan
Director of Alumni Relations & Engagement
The Center for Career Services can benefit alumni at every stage of their professional journey, not just for a first job after graduation.
Whether you are exploring a career change, seeking a promotion, or reentering the workforce, we offer practical support tailored to your goals. Career Services stays up-to-date on current application and industry trends, so you have a knowledgeable partner in the career process.
Many alumni return for help with resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn, or interviewing. Career Services helps you clarify your next steps, identify your strengths, and build professional confidence. Our five dedicated career advisors can meet with you to tailor goals and objectives that make the most sense for you and your career journey. Our advice is personalized, and we’ll work with you to develop a strategy that best fits your needs.No matter where you are in your professional life, Career Services is here for you, for free, for life! Additionally, this includes recruiting for your company. We’d love to hear from you. We regularly have alumni visit us on campus.
Contact us today at talent@ringling.edu to get started.
So, you put off that initial meeting with Career Services, and now you are a graduate. You may have missed the fact that Career Services provides resources for life. It’s true. What should you do now?
Visiting College Central Network is a good starting point. Sign in to your account (reset your password if needed). We can change your email address. Just give us a call at 941-359-7502. We are happy to meet with you and provide insights into the platform. College Central Network (CCN) has provided Ringling students and alumni continuity with companies, recruiters, and the general public seeking Ringling College talent for over two decades. It provides access to career development documents and a job board with Ringling-specific opportunities. No cold calling here, just connect with someone (including Ringling alumni) who already knows your college and values the skills and work ethics you have refined here.
When you use the job bank on a consistent basis, you’ll find a variety of opportunities (note: click on “Search: My School’s Jobs”). Create a database of companies and names to add to your network through continual job postings and events.
Review the Career events calendar and take part in on-campus or virtual recruiting, or return to Ringling College to hire more Ringling talent or share insights about your industry.
Through changes in your career, you always have access to free resume reviews, networking connections, and Ringling targeted job listings. We love hearing from you at any stage in your school-to-work journey!
Rick Dakan on Launching the New Creative Technologies Major.
Make it and ship it. That’s the core philosophy of the new Creative Technologies major at Ringling College. In the Fall Semester of their junior and senior years, students create digital products like apps, games, video content, websites, or interactive experiences. In the Spring they ship them to real audiences. We wanted to create a flexible BFA program that encourages students to pursue whatever their art heart desires while still providing the rigor and structure to graduate with the skills to make a living as artists and designers. They graduate having gone through the whole product development and release process twice, prepared to start their own business or work in their creative field.
Before I came to Ringling, I was a serial software start-up founder, freelance writer, and game designer. For 20 years, I made a living as a creative entrepreneur, and I learned as much from my failures as from my successes. College is a place for students to explore, take risks, and grow through experience in a safe, supportive, and collaborative environment. Creative Technologies provides that kind of environment for creative-entrepreneurs to push their limits and learn by doing.
Many folks assumed that because I’m also the AI Coordinator for the College, this is an AI degree. It is not. We have one course where students use AI-agents to assist in coding software projects, but no other required AI use cases. It is, however, a response to the ways AI and other emerging technologies are radically disrupting creative industries. Disruptions that are leading to job loss and the potential devaluation of creative work. Disruptions are also times of opportunity if we have the skills, mindset, and support to navigate the obstacles and create something exciting and innovative that can thrive in the new creative economy.
A student-led fashion and sustainability project.
GENESIS is a student-led fashion and performance collective at Ringling College of Art and Design, bringing together creatives from across disciplines to produce an immersive, story-driven runway experience. The foundation for this work was first established by Linda Liao ’23, Business of Art and Design, whose original vision created a space for student creativity through fashion. Building on that foundation, President and Creative Director Mobtagha Bejaoui ’26, Business of Art and Design, and Vice President Samantha Balikowa ’26, Business of Art and Design, expanded GENESIS into a large-scale, cross-disciplinary creative platform.
Today, GENESIS is led by Lindelwa Ntshakala ’28, Visual Studies, who serves as President and Creative Director, alongside Vice President and Project Manager Amanda Godines ’28, Business of Art and Design, and Vice President and Brand Manager Timo Kisyeri ’28, Graphic Design. Together, they guide a multidisciplinary team of over 120 students. This year’s show, themed Woven in Time, explored a soul’s journey under the watchful eyes of The Fates, unfolding across three acts: Life, Battle, and The Unknown. Through original garments, music, motion, and set design, the production created a cohesive and cinematic experience that reflected the collective’s continued evolution.
At its core, GENESIS is about storytelling and collaboration, bringing together diverse creative voices to build something larger than any one discipline. In a world that is constantly evolving, the collective continues to adapt and grow, creating space for experimentation, innovation, and meaningful artistic expression. Sustainability remains a guiding principle, ensuring that creativity and environmental responsibility go hand in hand. GENESIS stands as a testament to what can happen when students come together to push boundaries and tell stories that resonate beyond the runway.
Alumni Spotlight
Bret Iwan ’04, Illustration, has spent the past 16 years lending his voice to the most iconic mouse in the world. As the official voice of Mickey Mouse for the Walt Disney Company, Iwan brings the beloved character to life across television series, theme parks, merchandise, and interactive products—all while running his own design firm, Terbeau Design Studio, for more than two decades.
“Flexibility is key,” Iwan says. “Strengthening your skillsets and talents is vital, but having the ability—and willingness—to meet a demand is crucial for progressing your career.”
Iwan’s dual career in voice acting and design has kept him at the intersection of entertainment and creativity through an era of significant change. He has watched the Los Angeles production landscape shift dramatically, with a noticeable decline in local work, though the voice-over industry has held steady so far. But the rise of AI looms over both fields, a challenge he takes seriously.
“The threat of AI looms large,” Iwan says. “Thankfully, dedicated industry professionals and SAG-AFTRA union members have been working to mitigate the risk and install safeguards where possible.”
Through it all, Iwan has leaned into the power of self-promotion, making YouTube and Instagram cornerstones of his personal branding strategy, a lesson he is eager to pass along to the next generation of artists.
For those just entering the field, Iwan cautions against rigid thinking. Goals matter, he says, but so does the ability to adapt along the way.
“Don’t underestimate the growth that can come with flexibility while on the path to achieving those goals,” Iwan says. “Having a plan will keep you motivated and inspired, but the path rarely looks exactly like you imagined.”
Currently Loving
Iwan is currently captivated by the work of Edward Borein, a California native who spent years working as a cowboy across the Western United States before becoming a celebrated artist and illustrator known for his etchings of cowboy culture. His work speaks to Iwan’s own deep connection to Western life.
Iwan’s love of the West is made very apparent with the launch of his own lifestyle brand, inspired by his personal ranch, Terbeau Ranch. The venture recently made its public debut in an unexpected venue: a special Old Fashioned cocktail released at La Cava Del Tequila, one of the highest-rated bars in EPCOT’s Mexico Pavilion at Walt Disney World. A small collection of branded apparel is also now available through
terbeau.com.
“This adventure’s just getting started,” Iwan says, “so stay tuned.”
Mauroof Ahmed ’13, Motion Design, leads a team of designers at LinkedIn focused on helping creators thrive on the platform. As a Product Design Manager, Ahmed and his team work to help people build audiences, share their expertise, and grow their presence.
On the growing influence of AI in his industry, Ahmed says, “I think we are still in the early days and bigger changes are coming.”
AI has already reshaped how his team operates, and in ways that go beyond speeding up brainstorming. Designers can now take ideas and implement them directly into the product using agents, a shift Ahmed describes as massive. The ability to iterate across multiple directions simultaneously, and to move faster from concept to shipped product, has fundamentally changed what’s possible.
For recent graduates entering the field, Ahmed sees the current moment not as a threat but as a distinct advantage. Those just starting out, he says, aren’t weighed down by the habits and assumptions of how things used to be done.
His advice comes in two parts: lean into curiosity and use AI tools relentlessly, while continuing to sharpen your taste and design instincts. “AI can create, but you have to be the director making the calls on how a product should look, feel, and work,” Ahmed says.
Currently Loving
Ahmed keeps a close eye on the work coming out of Buck, the creative studio known for its boundary-pushing motion design, animation, and visual storytelling.
Monica Lagrange ’24, Computer Animation, arrived at Walt Disney Animation Studios fresh out of Ringling and went straight to work on a feature film. As a CG Animator, she brings a comedic sensibility to her work, though lately she has been pushing herself into more serious acting shots, expanding her range while leaning on the technical foundation her generalist training gave her.
“My generalist knowledge has also allowed me to bring a more technical approach to animation that I’ve been enjoying,” Lagrange says.
Even after hours, she isn’t slowing down. She’s currently deep in rigging research and development for a personal project that keeps her craft sharp between productions.
The industry she stepped into is shifting toward a more contract-based model, with artists hopping from studio to studio chasing different projects, whether big-name productions or indie work. Lagrange sees this shift as one that puts a premium on something no algorithm can replicate: a distinct point of view.
“Ideas and personality stand strong above everything else,” she says. “I encourage human creativity! Create art with your human hands and your human brain!”
For new graduates finding their footing in that landscape, her advice is grounding and direct. Technique matters, but it isn’t what sets an artist apart.
“Let your lived human experience inform the choices you make when creating,” Lagrange says. “Emphasize what it is that makes your art yours, and that will lead you to where you are meant to be.”
Currently Loving
Lagrange has been going deep into the rough animation of Milt Kahl, one of Disney’s legendary Nine Old Men, studying how he posed hands and faces and used appeal with a precision that is both instinctive and completely learnable.
Alumni Updates
Stay connected to the Ringling College community. Get updates from Ringling alumni on their new jobs, exhibitions, published works, retirements, babies, and more.
In Memoriam
Esther L. Barefoot ’51
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
November 7, 2024, Tampa, Florida
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
November 7, 2024, Tampa, Florida
Harriett Marie (Townsend) Levy ’51
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
June 21, 2021, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
June 21, 2021, Chattanooga, Tennessee
Frank L. Doughty ’52
Advertising Design
August 20, 2025, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Advertising Design
August 20, 2025, Fayetteville, Arkansas
Harriet Jacquelyn "Jackie" (Thurman) Rocke ’52
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
August 18, 2025, St. Petersburg, Florida
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
August 18, 2025, St. Petersburg, Florida
Renee (Germaine) Boyle ’53
Fashion Design
June 26, 2022, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Fashion Design
June 26, 2022, Shelbyville, Tennessee
Mitzi (Johnson) Deschert ’53
Advertising Design and Illustration
February 6, 2024, Venice, Florida
Advertising Design and Illustration
February 6, 2024, Venice, Florida
Anne Warren (Wood) Armstrong ’54
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
February 25, 2025, Dunwoody, Georgia
Costume Design and Fashion Illustration
February 25, 2025, Dunwoody, Georgia
Christina Dochwat ’54
Painting and Drawing
March 26, 2026, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
Painting and Drawing
March 26, 2026, Phoenixville, Pennsylvania
R.L. Light ’54
Advertising Design and Illustration
May 8, 2025, Bristol, Virginia
Advertising Design and Illustration
May 8, 2025, Bristol, Virginia
Mary Elizabeth "Beth" (Wilder) Simons ’54
Advertising Design and Illustration
October 31, 2025, Delray Beach, Florida
Advertising Design and Illustration
October 31, 2025, Delray Beach, Florida
James Byrnes "Jimmie" Seigler, Jr. ’56
Fine Arts
February 19, 2026, Middleton, Rhode Island
Fine Arts
February 19, 2026, Middleton, Rhode Island
John Jackson "Jack" Allison ’58
Commercial Design
April 20, 2024, Honea Path, South Carolina
Commercial Design
April 20, 2024, Honea Path, South Carolina
Wallace Raymond "Wally" Mann ’58
Commercial Design
January 28, 2025, Tokeland, Washington
Commercial Design
January 28, 2025, Tokeland, Washington
Joe Denton Pardue, Sr. ’58
Commercial Design
December 13, 2025, Cleveland, Tennessee
Commercial Design
December 13, 2025, Cleveland, Tennessee
Warren Edward Stevenson ’58
Commercial Design
September 13, 2021, Brooksville, Florida
Commercial Design
September 13, 2021, Brooksville, Florida
Patricia Claire "Pat" (Anderson) Baker ’59
Commercial Design
October 18, 2025, Evansville, Indiana
Commercial Design
October 18, 2025, Evansville, Indiana
Michael James Lyons ’59
Commercial Design
February 9, 2026, Bonita Springs, Florida
Commercial Design
February 9, 2026, Bonita Springs, Florida
Gabriel Ted Hadden ’60
Commercial Design
August 4, 2025, Matthews, North Carolina
Commercial Design
August 4, 2025, Matthews, North Carolina
William Franklin Ring ’60
Commercial Design
March 3, 2025, Venice, Florida
Commercial Design
March 3, 2025, Venice, Florida
Maxine Ann "Mickey" (Rouse Winters) Hawkins ’61
Fine Arts
February 23, 2021, Sherwood, Michigan
Fine Arts
February 23, 2021, Sherwood, Michigan
Marney James Lowder ’61
Commercial Design
February 3, 2025, Sunset Beach, North Carolina
Commercial Design
February 3, 2025, Sunset Beach, North Carolina
John Stuard "Jack" Nichols ’62
Commercial Design
November 29, 2025, Salinas, California
Commercial Design
November 29, 2025, Salinas, California
Mary Patricia (Garriot) O’Haire ’62
Fine Art
June 15, 2023, McCormick, South Carolina
Fine Art
June 15, 2023, McCormick, South Carolina
Ellen Kay "Kitty" (Barnhardt) Stow ’62
Commercial Design
October 5, 2023, Gainesville, Georgia
Commercial Design
October 5, 2023, Gainesville, Georgia
Cecil Franklin Eakins ’63
Commercial Design
March 11, 2026, Punta Arenas, Chile
Commercial Design
March 11, 2026, Punta Arenas, Chile
Conrad Philmore Whitley ’63
Commercial Design
April 3, 2022, Bluffton, South Carolina
Commercial Design
April 3, 2022, Bluffton, South Carolina
Jack Crymes Wilson, Jr. ’63
Commercial Design
December 3, 2025, Williamston, South Carolina
Commercial Design
December 3, 2025, Williamston, South Carolina
Dennis Warren Phillips ’64
Fine Arts
November 22, 2022, San Antonio, Florida
Fine Arts
November 22, 2022, San Antonio, Florida
Brenda Shaver ’64
Interior Design
April 1, 2025, Salisbury, North Carolina
Interior Design
April 1, 2025, Salisbury, North Carolina
Celia Jeanette (Harper) Edwards ’65
Commercial Design
March 17, 2025, Williamston, SC
Commercial Design
March 17, 2025, Williamston, SC
Robert Mayes Henderson ’66
Commercial Design
April 4, 2026, Pulaski, Virginia
Commercial Design
April 4, 2026, Pulaski, Virginia
Betsy (Ferrell) Vawser ’66
Commercial Design
June 28, 2024, Aurora, Colorado
Commercial Design
June 28, 2024, Aurora, Colorado
Douglas H. Gibson ’67
Fine Arts
December 18, 2025, Sarasota, Florida
Fine Arts
December 18, 2025, Sarasota, Florida
Gary Marion Harvey ’67
Interior Design
April 4, 2025, Sarasota, Florida
Interior Design
April 4, 2025, Sarasota, Florida
Thelma Esther (Elholm) Horne ’67
Fine Arts
October 10, 2023, Lake Wales, Florida
Fine Arts
October 10, 2023, Lake Wales, Florida
Walter G. Hron ’67
Commercial Design
September 10, 2025, Lakeland, Florida
Commercial Design
September 10, 2025, Lakeland, Florida
Patricia Gail Brannen ’69
Fine Arts
March 31, 2025, Savannah, Georgia
Fine Arts
March 31, 2025, Savannah, Georgia
Danee Jean (Wallis) Kinzel ’69
Fine Arts
August 1, 2025, Tierra Verde, Florida
Fine Arts
August 1, 2025, Tierra Verde, Florida
Jeffrey L. Barnhart ’70
Fine Arts
October 2, 2025, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Fine Arts
October 2, 2025, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Danny Tave Rice ’70
Fine Arts
May 21, 2025, Lottsburg, Virginia
Fine Arts
May 21, 2025, Lottsburg, Virginia
Richard Alfred Johnson ’72
Advertising Design
October 22, 2024, Florence, South Carolina
Advertising Design
October 22, 2024, Florence, South Carolina
Charles John “Chuck” West ’72
Advertising Design
July 9, 2022, St. Petersburg, Florida
Advertising Design
July 9, 2022, St. Petersburg, Florida
Guy Stanley “Stan” Pippin ’73
Painting
March 12, 2025, Roswell, Georgia
Painting
March 12, 2025, Roswell, Georgia
Elizabeth J. "Bonnie" (Carey) Reed ’73
Interior Design
June 5, 2025, Pine Plains, New York
Interior Design
June 5, 2025, Pine Plains, New York
Gary Alfred Veranich ’73
Advertising Design
June 3, 2025, Estero, Florida
Advertising Design
June 3, 2025, Estero, Florida
Priscilla Ann Hillstrom ’74
Interior Design
January 25, 2022, Charlottesville, Virginia
Interior Design
January 25, 2022, Charlottesville, Virginia
Susan Elaine Stockbridge ’74
Advertising Design
November 9, 2025, Knoxville, Tennessee
Advertising Design
November 9, 2025, Knoxville, Tennessee
Leoma (Lovegrove) Goyer Silberg ’75
Advertising Design
April 10, 2025, North Fort Myers, Florida
Advertising Design
April 10, 2025, North Fort Myers, Florida
Thomas Barry Graham ’76
Advertising Design
October 16, 2024, Pelham, Alabama
Advertising Design
October 16, 2024, Pelham, Alabama
Robert C. "Bob" Tillery ’76
Advertising Design
May 2, 2025, Atlanta, Georgia
Advertising Design
May 2, 2025, Atlanta, Georgia
Susan (Onnembo) Robsham ’77
Graphic Design
February 18, 2025, Turner, Maine
Graphic Design
February 18, 2025, Turner, Maine
James Michael Butti ’79
Graphic Design
February 14, 2026, Monroesville, Pennsylvania
Graphic Design
February 14, 2026, Monroesville, Pennsylvania
Alice "Storma" (Bates) Davison ’79
Painting
May 4, 2025, Bradenton, Florida
Painting
May 4, 2025, Bradenton, Florida
Kathryn Louise "Kit" Gregory Chase ’79
Graphic Design
December 11, 2025, Clyde, North Carolina
Graphic Design
December 11, 2025, Clyde, North Carolina
Martin Douglas Cushman ’80
Graphic Design
February 12, 2026, Mount Dora, Florida
Graphic Design
February 12, 2026, Mount Dora, Florida
Phillip D. Fisher ’80
Painting
September 29, 2025, Naples, Florida
Painting
September 29, 2025, Naples, Florida
Christopher Lee Baldwin ’83
Illustration
April 2, 2024, Menasha, Wisconsin
Illustration
April 2, 2024, Menasha, Wisconsin
Lars A. Paulson ’83
Fine Arts
November 21, 2023, Oliver Springs, Tennessee
Fine Arts
November 21, 2023, Oliver Springs, Tennessee
Melanie Diana (Dodson) Forsythe ’84
Graphic Design
October 1, 2025, St. Augustine, Florida
Graphic Design
October 1, 2025, St. Augustine, Florida
Raymond Scott Berg ’85
Graphic Design
February 2026, Norcross, Georgia
Graphic Design
February 2026, Norcross, Georgia
Rita Therese Whalen ’86
Graphic Design
April 15, 2023, Key West, Florida
Graphic Design
April 15, 2023, Key West, Florida
Martha B. "Marcie" (Dewey) Hunter ’87
Illustration
September 2, 2024, Greensboro, North Carolina
Illustration
September 2, 2024, Greensboro, North Carolina
Barbara Sue (Fierstos) Lose ’89
Graphic Design
March 10, 2026, Bradenton, Florida
Graphic Design
March 10, 2026, Bradenton, Florida
Tamara Janelle Chesney ’93
Interior Design
December 24, 2023, Naples, Florida
Interior Design
December 24, 2023, Naples, Florida
Trevor Paul Roberson ’93
Illustration
April 12, 2025, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Illustration
April 12, 2025, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Melissa Anne Hutton ’94
Fine Arts
December 4, 2025, Napa, California
Fine Arts
December 4, 2025, Napa, California
Joel Russell "Jody" Carroll ’96
Illustration
June 20, 2024, Hudson, North Carolina
Illustration
June 20, 2024, Hudson, North Carolina
William Montgomery Lentz III ’96
Illustration
March 18, 2022, Sarasota, Florida
Illustration
March 18, 2022, Sarasota, Florida
John Kevin Boyd ’99
Illustration
October 9, 2023, Palmetto, Florida
Illustration
October 9, 2023, Palmetto, Florida
Nelani Palomino ’04
Graphic and Interactive Communication
January 12, 2026, Tampa, Florida
Graphic and Interactive Communication
January 12, 2026, Tampa, Florida
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