MSU graphic design majors pull in multi-level honors

Contact: Sammy McDavid

STARKVILLE, Miss.--A dozen current and recently graduated Mississippi State art/graphic design majors are being recognized widely for their creative accomplishments during 2007.

Graphic design is among the academic concentrations offered by the university's art department, a part of the College of Architecture, Art and Design.

"These students in the graphic design program have had an amazing year thus far, receiving numerous honors and awards at prestigious exhibitions across the country," said Jamie Mixon, coordinator of the graphic design emphasis. "The shows varied in scope from regional competitions to national and international recognitions."

The list of winners includes [by hometown]:

BOYLE--Senior Kanika A. Dean, receiving an Honorable Mention Award in the International Design Against Fur Poster Competition sponsored by the Delaware-based National Humane Society and the Fur Free Alliance of Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Rhonda Woods.

CANTON--May summa cum laude graduate Meagan L. Cox, a Merit Award selection in the HOW Magazine International Self-Promotional Design competition, which included a portion of her work in the Cincinnati, Ohio-based publication's October issue. She is the daughter of Nathan and Mary Jane Cox.

COLUMBUS--May graduate Marquita R. "Keeta" Stowe, winner of a Merit Award in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club of Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Wanda Owens.

JACKSON--May magna cum laude graduate Catherine Yerger, a Merit Award selection in the HOW Magazine International Self-Promotional Design competition, which included a portion of her work in the Cincinnati, Ohio-based publication's October issue. The daughter of Charles and Ida Yerger, she also was an ADDY Gold Award winner in regional competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation for the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee.

Also of Jackson, May cum laude graduate Kristen N. Ley was the winner of regional and national ADDY Gold Awards in competition sponsored by the American Advertising Federation. The daughter of Phillip and Stancie Ley, she also had work accepted in the highly competitive Dallas (Texas) Society of Visual Communication's Third Annual National Student Show.

JASPER, Ala.--Senior Justin T. "JT" Hamman, receiving an Honorable Mention Award in the International Design Against Fur Poster Competition sponsored by the Delaware-based National Humane Society and the Fur Free Alliance of Washington, D.C. The son of Thomas Hamman and Karen Hamman, he additionally was a Gold Award winner in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club, also in Washington.

MT. OLIVE--Senior Wesley Stuckey, winner of the Outstanding Student Award in the HOW Magazine International Self-Promotional Design competition, which included a portion of his work in the Cincinnati, Ohio-based publication's October issue. The son of Thomas and Donna Stuckey and a printmaking double-major, he also was among three MSU graphic design majors selected for one of five top Juror's Awards given in the art department-sponsored AIGA Southern Student Invitational competition. [Note: AIGA is the modern name for the 93-year-old national professional organization's original title, American Institute of Graphic Arts.]

PASS CHRISTIAN--Senior Darren C. Keel, winner of a Silver Award in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club of Washington, D.C. The son of Lenny and Connie Keel, he also was among three MSU graphic design majors selected for one of five top Juror's Awards given in the art department-sponsored AIGA Southern Student Invitational. [Note: AIGA is the modern name for the 93-year-old national professional organization's original name, American Institute of Graphic Arts.]

STARKVILLE--Senior Mary Beth McDavid, winner of a Gold Award in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club of Washington, D.C. The daughter of Sammy and Frances McDavid, she also was among three MSU graphic design majors selected for one of five top Juror's Awards given in the art department-sponsored AIGA Southern Student Invitational. [Note: AIGA is the modern name for the 93-year-old national professional organization's original name, American Institute of Graphic Arts.]

VANCLEVE--Senior Beverly A. Hayman, winner of the Juror's Award in the International Design Against Fur Poster Competition sponsored by the Delaware-based National Humane Society and the Fur Free Alliance of Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Julian and Diedra Hayman.

WESSON--May graduate Joshua L. "Josh" Holly, winner of a Merit Award in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club of Washington, D.C. He is the son of Steve and Beverly Holly.

WEST POINT--Senior Shauna M. Cliett, winner of a Merit Award in the Real Show competition sponsored by the Art Director's Club of Washington, D.C. She is the daughter of Michael Hall of Starkville and Cheryl Portera of West Point.

LOCAL EDITORS: For additional information, contact professor Mixon at 662-325-1904 or jmixon@caad.msstate.edu.

For more information about Mississippi State University, see http://www.msstate.edu/.