Marquee at 134th spring commencement

Nearly 250 Columbus College of Art & Design students graced the stage of the historic Ohio Theatre to receive their diplomas on Saturday, May 11, 2013.

The 134^th annual commencement in downtown Columbus included an address by nationally renowned artist Mel Chin, who was also awarded an honorary degree by the college.

James E. Kunk, vice chair of CCAD’s board of trustees; Dennison W. Griffith, CCAD president; Kevin J. Conlon, vice president for academic affairs; and director of graduate studies and professor Ric Petry conferred the nine master of fine arts degrees and the bachelor of fine arts.

Student government president and Advertising & Graphic Design major Cailyn Driscoll addressed the audience of peers and family, followed by recognition of the nine outstanding seniors:

• Lillie Templeton, Advertising & Graphic Design
• Tyler Crowley, Animation
• Patrick Kain, Cinematic Arts
• Katharine Hire, Fashion Design
• Stefanie Cook, Fine Arts
• Wesley Talbott, Illustration
• Justin Brown, Industrial Design
• Katelyn Venia, Interior Design
• Kayla Holdgreve, Photography

President Griffith introduced the 2013 class valedictorian, Advertising & Graphic Design major Lillie Templeton.

Following the valedictorian’s address, Griffith spoke to the graduating class. He offered them a heartfelt farewell and encouraged them to spread their talent and the message of love across the world.

Mitchell D. Acock, Jerry O. Allen, Joan Buchanan Hill, and Lee S. Szykowny, M.D. will begin serving three-year terms. CCAD Board Chair Michael J. Fiorile remarked, “We are honored to have these outstanding individuals join us. Each brings particular experience and expertise to this work.”

In other action, the trustees appointed Fiorile as chair, Robert P. Restrepo Jr., vice-chair, Patricia R. Hatler, secretary, and James E. Kunk, treasurer. Each will serve two-year terms.

Acock is a registered architect and principal of Acock Associates Architects, Columbus. The firm designed CCAD’s Loann Crane Center for Design and the college’s award-winning Design Square Apartments.

Allen is a partner at Bricker & Eckler LLP in Columbus. He has been listed in The Best Lawyers in America since 2005 and has previously served on numerous arts-related boards in Central Ohio.

Hill is a division director at Columbus School for Girls. She is actively involved with the YWCA in Columbus.

Dr. Szykowny works at Central Ohio Behavioral Medicine, Inc. in Columbus. She also serves on boards of mental health, hospital, and arts organizations, and an annual fund advisory committee for Williams College.

Three other trustees each were awarded additional three-year terms and four others rotated off the board due to term limits.

See the full press release.