04/24/15
Fort Hays State University graphic design students have been busy this semester, both on campus and on the road.

Students under the direction of Karrie Simpson Voth and Chaiwat Thumsujarit, both professors of art and design, completed a successful month by earning scholarships from the prestigious Leo Burnett Company out of Chicago. Representatives from Leo Burnett visited campus recently for a portfolio review for 35 graphic design students.

Leo Burnett awarded $5,000 in scholarships for FHSU students, with a matching amount going to the graphic design program. Fort Hays State is one of only three universities or colleges in the country that is part of the Leo Burnett scholarship program.

Earlier in the month, 23 graphic design students participated in the American Institute of Graphic Arts Portfolio 1-on-1 Review in Minneapolis, Minn.

Fort Hays State students were unable to compete for scholarships since they aren't Minnesota residents. However, FHSU still impressed those from large and small design studios who reviewed the students. As a result, there are several internship and job offers in the works for Fort Hays State students.

FHSU also dominated a recent competition in Wichita. Fort Hays State won six of the 10 prizes awarded at the AIGA Student Portfolio Forum, where nine colleges and universities competed.

The FHSU winners from the Leo Burnett scholarship competition and the AIGA contest in Wichita:

Leo Burnett Company Portfolio Awards
First: Shaysa Sidebottom, Kinsley senior, $1,000.
Second: (tie) Dylan Lang, Hays junior, and Janessa Larmer, Lawrence junior, $500 each.
Third: Andrew Horn, Mankato senior, $150.

Leo Burnett Company Graphic Design III Awards
First: Camille Caron-Bedard, Hays senior, $500.
Second: Gao "Daniel" Fan, Xi'an, China, special student, $350.
Third: Emily Hendricks, Burlington, Colo., senior, $250.

Leo B Awards for Outstanding Project ($150 each)
Jordan Bohm, Valley Center senior.
Austin Glassco, Halstead junior.
Jill Herbert, Wichita junior.
Ryan Hopkins, Wichita junior.
Steven Johnson, Wichita junior.
Mary McDermott, Edmond, Okla., senior.
Emma Moser, Hays senior
Lindsay Naegele, Hays senior.
Corin Roth, Wellington senior.
Amy Smarsh-Johnson, Colwich senior.
Ashley Wiles, Beloit senior.

AIGA Student Portfolio Awards
First place: Janessa Larmer, Lawrence junior.
Best packaging design: Janessa Larmer, Lawrence junior.
Best illustration: Shaysa Sidebottom, Kinsley senior.
Best photography: Kayla Bartlett-Steede, Hays senior.
Best typography: Mary McDermott, Edmond, Okla., senior.
Best ad campaign: Lucas Warren, Hays junior.