Jessica Puskar, Lucy Norton, Ali Casarsa, and Grace Gruarin, all students of Villa Maria College’s Graphic Design program, took home all four awards in the Don Nichols Scholarship competition. The Advertising Club of Buffalo administers the annual competition, and announced the winners on April 11.
The Don Nichols Scholarship competition awards promising communications students financial help for their education. For the past 16 years, students are given a thought-provoking theme that they are tasked with bringing to life. This year’s theme, “21st Century Icons,” garnered entries from more than 40 talented students.
Puskar’s work featured Malala Yousafzai and was awarded first place. Norton’s work featured Kate Middleton and won second place. Casarsa’s work featured Tobias Frere-Jones and took home third place. The three students were awarded scholarships. Gruarin’s work featured Joshua Fields Millburn and was awarded honorable mention.
The competition is named in honor of Don Nichols, who founded the Albright Art School’s Graphic Design Department in 1950. He brought the program to UB, where he served as its head until his passing in 1987. Nichols was awarded the Alex Osborn Award for Creativity from the Art Directors/Communicators of Buffalo, along with the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching from UB.
The Advertising Club of Buffalo supports and connects communications professionals in Western New York. For more information about the Advertising Club of Buffalo visit www.advertisingclubofbuffalo.com.
A private, co-educational, Catholic college, Villa Maria offers students a unique experience to learn and grow with a culturally diverse student population and a growing baccalaureate culture that lives its values of truth, charity, and unity.
