2012 Finalists, top left to right: Taylor Hawkins (CCAD), Erin McKenna (CCAD), Kristy Kemper (AAC); bottom left to right: Mayumi Kiefer (ONU), Brittany Kunkel (Dennison), Julio Labra (AAC)

Fine Arts senior Erin McKenna was awarded the Association of Independent Colleges & Universities of Ohio (AICUO) Excellence in Visual Art Grand Award.

The AICUO recognized McKenna with a $2,500 cash prize and purchased one of her pieces to be displayed in the governor’s office for the next year.

Held at Otterbein University on April 6, the reception honored seniors from independent colleges throughout Ohio. Six students were AICUO finalists, competing for the Grand Award. Fine Arts senior Taylor Hawkins was also a finalist.

McKenna and Hawkins were not the only two bringing CCAD presence to the awards. Fine Arts sophomore Hannah Mason-Macklin was the sculptural design contest winner and designed the physical awards presented to the winners. Advertising & Graphic Design senior Cynthia Ellis was an intern for this year’s award and helped organize the program.

McKenna, Hawkins, and the other four finalists will have their work displayed at Grid Furnishings, a store in Columbus’ Short North district on May 5, 2012.

Founded in 1969, AICUO represents privately supported, nonprofit colleges and universities in Ohio, conducting public relations, research and government relations for its members. The awards program is a statewide intercollegiate arts competition for senior students from Ohio’s independent colleges.

CCAD has had seven finalists in the last five years, with two Grand Award winners, including last year’s winner, Ken Aschliman.