Wahls answers student questions.

Zach Wahls shared his very personal story of becoming an advocate for marriage equality with CCAD students during a visit to campus March 1. In his presentation, he discussed his new-found celebrity and becoming one of the key voices on the often controversial topic, “What Makes a Family.”

Zach was just 19-years-old, a University of Iowa engineering student, when he gave a heartfelt testimony in front of the Iowa House Judiciary Committee.  He’s the son of two lesbian mothers and Iowa was about to vote on House Joint Resolution Six, banning gay marriage.

In the end, Iowa became one of the nine states to grant marriage equality rights, along with the District of Columbia.

CCAD’s student programming board organized Zach’s visit to campus, and led the Q & A discussion that followed his presentation. The presentation also was part of the monthly Fusion events sponsored by Stonewall in Columbus. Fusion is a monthly social for LGBT college students that rotates among the various college campuses in Columbus

See the now famous video of his testimony, which has been seen over 17 million times on YouTube.

Check out Zach’s appearance on the Ellen show.

Follow the CCAD’s student programming board on facebook, for updates on upcoming events during fall and spring semesters.

Dancing to Way Yes

This past Friday (Sept. 2) CCAD’s Student Programming Board put on their first event of the season, the annual back-to-school staple, WelcomeFest. Kicking off the year in its shiny new location right under the Art sign, WelcomeFest was bigger and better this time around with musical appearances from Way Yes, Yellow Light Maybe, and Jonathan Hape. The guys from Make Believe Monsters and FDZ Clothing were there too doing their thing. Oh and did I mention The Cheesy Truck? It was there. In all of its $100 caviar grilled-cheese glory. Yeah. Just saying.

The night was described as “very welcoming” by many students, so, you know, the name is fitting. SPB members Blake Roberts and Lacie Daley (both juniors in Advertising & Graphic Design) were thrilled with the greater turnout of the event this year, mostly credited to its new location right in the heart of campus. Blake also mentioned that this time there was a more relaxed vibe than past years with friends catching up on the quad, playing cornhole, foursquare, skateboarding, biking, and lazily laying in the grass (this girl), which is what they’ve always shot for.

Besides their usual annual events like WelcomeFest, Family Weekend, Big Boo, and Winterfest, SPB is also throwing out a few wild cards this year that you should watch out for. I prodded them into giving me the skinny on what they’ve got brewing and the upcoming event you should pencil in is CCAD’s Got Talent offering cash prizes to the winners and a guaranteed good time, obviously, for everyone. Auditions are this Thursday, Sept. 8. at 9:30 p.m. in the Crane Center, and the final show is Sept. 15 at 9:30 p.m. in the auditorium. Don’t forget to sign up for an audition slot this week on the front desk of Crane. See you there!

CCAD Student Government President David Merz III was honored at the annual Leadership Recognition Banquet.

In a reception hosted by CCAD’s Student Affairs office, 10 awards were presented to students, a staff member, and a student organization during the college’s second-annual Leadership Recognition Banquet.

More than 100 members of the CCAD community attended the reception Friday, May 6, at the Columbus Renaissance Hotel to honor members and advisers of sponsored student groups and leaders of registered student organizations.

“This year we are introducing a new award specifically for a member of our student government called the Service to Students Award,” said Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students Dwayne Todd. “As organizers of the Student Government awards, there is little opportunity to recognize the hard work and dedication the president of student government has shown to the CCAD community, and this of all years is the time to begin this honor.”

Student Government president David Merz III received the award.

“We have seen more growth and development in the past year than in all the years we have had student government at CCAD combined,” said Director of Student Activities & Orientation Jason Bowser. “We have not seen as great a positive change in the organization and its presence on campus since the group was started and that is due in no small part to the leadership and vision of David.”

The entire list of 2011 honorees is as follows:

• Service to Students: David E Merz III (CCAD 2011)
• Megan Clare Mathie Student Leader of the Year Award: Kenneth Aschliman (CCAD 2011)
• Commitment to Diversity: Amanda Knittle (CCAD 2011)
• Commitment to Service: Danielle Williams (CCAD 2014)
• Commitment to Involvement: Lacie Daley (CCAD 2013)
• Commitment to Involvement: Walker Crane (CCAD 2013)
• Student Organization: Student Programming Board
• Student Event: Quidditch Cup
• Most Involved Faculty/Staff (outside the classroom): Erica Ott, assistant director of student activities & orientation
• Design Square Resident Advisor: Amanda Knittle (CCAD 2011)
• Schottenstein Resident Advisor: Blake Roberts (CCAD 2013)

“The Megan Clare Mathie Outstanding Student Leader Award goes to a student who has also made a considerable impact on campus through leadership in student organizations and involvement,” said Bowser.” This award’s namesake made an incredible impression on campus through her involvement during her four years. This year’s winner is Kenneth Aschliman for his work with Student Government and the Spotlight Student Exhibitions Group.”

The Commitment to Service Award is presented to a student who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to community service by volunteering time, energy, or resources towards the aim of helping improve the lives of others within and beyond the CCAD community.  The award also recognizes those who make extraordinary efforts to promote an environment of civic responsibility among other CCAD students.

The Commitment to Diversity Award is presented annually to a student who demonstrates an exceptional commitment towards creating a campus environment that is welcoming and inclusive to students from varied cultural backgrounds and personal identities.  The award is given to recognize a student who shows a deep commitment to the values of equity and inclusion, while also helping raise awareness and understanding of multicultural issues within the CCAD community.

The Commitment to Involvement Award is presented annually to a student who demonstrates an exceptional commitment to enhancing campus life and creating opportunities for other students to develop memorable experiences and connections at CCAD.  This award recognizes a student who has helped to advance the goals of the CCAD Student Affairs Division through active involvement in multiple student organizations and campus leadership roles.

“This banquet is our way of saying thank you for contributing so much to the CCAD community and for being such an integral part of making the CCAD experience better for everyone,” said Bowser.

Scooby Doo & the Gang

With more than 600 in attendance, last Friday’s annual The Big Boo! Halloween party saw plenty of high-octane costumes, but three entries won the night.

First prize in the costume contest went to the Scooby Doo Gang, including Ian Ballantyne as Fred, Elsie Mort as Daphne, Hannah Rivera as Velma, Josh Adams as Shaggy (holding a Scooby Doo doll), and Philip Mains as a ghost—Zoinks!

Second prize went to Samantha Sweigart as a Pop Tart, and third prize went to Richard Coyne as Kim Kardashian—scary.

While anyone could buy a ticket to party with the best costumes in Columbus, Only CCAD students were eligible for the costume contest.

The Big Boo! Was organized by CCAD’s Student Programming Board.

Family Weekend 2010

The students are moved in and  classes are well underway, it’s time for a  little family visit. At CCAD we like to turn the family visit into a high-octane event with the annual Family Weekend.

This year’s event kicked off with comedian and magician Michael Kent, who performed to a packed Canzani Center Auditorium Friday night.

Saturday, after breakfast and a chance to get caught up on what’s going on with CCAD, the Student Programming Board raised the energy level with a Project Runway inspired family contest.

The challenge (a team challenge): make a garment from a selection of household objects (including trash bags, paper, tape and office supplies) in less than half an hour.

In true Project Runway fashion, each team’s garment was featured in a runway show and then scored by three judges. No one was out, but prizes were given to the top three winners. Family team winners were: team Swiler, third place; team Vetterly, second place; and first place went to team Stauble.

Clouds and the threat of rain didn’t dampen the festivities. For the rest of the afternoon students and their guests had a range of activities to check out, including the yearly favorite the carnival on the quad, tours of CCAD’s newest building, Design Studios on Broad, and demonstrations in ceramics and glass blowing.