Contact: Maridith Geuder
Mississippi State University students hold top honors in an annual regional graphic design competition coordinated by the American Advertising Federation.
At the recent 2000 Student Talent Advertising Recognition (STAR) Awards program, MSU students won three of the top six awards and a total of 57 additional awards.
From 274 entries, judges presented a total of 108 honors to students in public and private college and university art programs in Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee.
"Our students took 53 percent of the regional awards," said art department head Brent Funderburk. "This is the fifth straight year MSU talent has been at the top in AAF shows."
Mississippi State students were honored in the categories of photography, logo, editorial layout/design, letterhead/stationery, menu, campaign, color illustration, brochure, poster, book design/layout, album/cassette/CD cover, miscellaneous print, packaging/label design, newspaper advertising, television, and potpourri.
Seniors Thomas A. Atwood of Fayetteville, Ark., and Dana D. Sollie of Meridian earned three Best of Show honors. Atwood's "Return of the Ice Man" entry garnered Best Illustration and Special Judge awards.
Atwood also was honored with two Gold Awards, while Sollie additionally received the Best Design Award for her "Jumping Jax Logo" entry. She also was presented with Gold, Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
Judges made special note of Atwood's entry, said Elizabeth M. Perry, AAF-STAR awards coordinator.
"The award was given at our judges' request," she said. "Mr. Atwood's piece was a strong contender for Best of Show and they wanted to give special recognition to the design for overall concept and execution of illustration."
MSU's art program, which began in 1968 and grew to become the state's largest, supports local chapters of the American Institute of Graphic Artists and OKSIGGRAPH, the regional chapter of the ACM Special Interest Groups in Computer Graphics. Anne Hanger, Wade Lough and Jamie Mixon teach the graphic design courses.
Other MSU award winners include (by hometown):
ABERDEEN-Senior Amanda Clark, Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
ATHENS, Ala.-Senior Meredith C. Jackson, Citation of Excellence award.
BILOXI-Senior Charles A. Punzo, Silver award.
CARTERSVILLE, Ga.-Senior Daniel G. Grabensteder, Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
CORDOVA, Tenn.-Claire S. Carson, Silver Award, and Catherine F. "Katie" Johnston, Citation of Excellence Award. Both are seniors.
ECRU-Senior Christopher D. Nolan, Gold and Silver awards.
GRENADA-Junior Carolyn B. Horne, Silver and three Citation of Excellence awards.
GREENVILLE-Senior Blair Etheridge, Silver and three Citation of Excellence awards.
GULFPORT-Senior Jacy B. Williams, Silver Award.
INDIANOLA-Zach Prichard, citation of excellence award.
JACKSON-Angela M. Velasquez [5291 Brookhollow, 39212], Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
MADISON-Senior Lauren E. Holmes, silver and two Citation of Excellence awards.
MOOREVILLE-Senior Mary Lynn Ganaway, Silver Award.
PASCAGOULA-Senior Deanna M. Chisholm, Gold Award.
PEARL RIVER, La.-Senior Timothy D. Morton, Silver and two Citation of Excellence awards.
PONTOTOC-Senior Nancy E. Nanney, Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
SENATOBIA-Senior Annah M. Dowdle, Citation of Excellence award.
STARKVILLE-Senior Nikki Bane, two Citation of Excellence awards; senior Albena H. Dimitrova, Silver award; senior Christina M. Moore, two Gold Awards; junior Joshua D. Stewart, Silver and Citation of Excellence awards; junior Thai Tran, two Citation of Excellence Awards; and senior Richard L. "Ricky" Turner Jr., Gold and three Citation of Excellence awards.
SLIDELL, La.-Senior Tracey Cooksey, two Gold Awards and one each Silver and Citation of Excellence awards.
TUPELO-Senior Jane M. Metcalfe, two Gold Awards.