Columbus College of Art & Design celebrates its alumni

One considers his time with The Mouse to be a career highlight—and dreams of being the first animator in space. Another has illustrated more than 30 picture books about the lives of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and Nick Cannon. And yet another discovered her love for education while teaching Saturday Morning Art Classes at CCAD.

Columbus College of Art & Design graduates are changing culture and commerce, making major impact in Columbus and points far beyond.

CCAD celebrates its grads’ outstanding work every day—and, once a year, recognizes a select few with its Alumni Awards. Last year, the college expanded its awards to recognize five graduates (up from just one previously), and, this year, added another: the Core Values Award. This new award—which may or may not be awarded each year—recognizes a CCAD graduate who demonstrates inspiration, accountability, respect, and positivity in all they do. A recipient may be selected by the committee from any nomination.

This year’s Alumni Award winners are:

The Joseph V. Canzani Alumni Award for Excellence—Tony West (Illustration, 1989), visual effects animator/graphic designer, Premise Entertainment

Core Values Award—AG Ford (Illustration, 2007), children’s book illustrator, AG Ford Arts Inc.

Emerging Leader Award—Ali Prater (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2013), freelance senior designer

Commitment to Service Award—Michael McFalls (Fine Arts, 1998), professor of art, director of Pasaquan

Arts Educator Award—Aubrey Jewel Rodgers (Time-Based Media, 2000), Animation/game art program coordinator, Kalamazoo Valley Community College: Center for New Media

Creative Entrepreneur Award—Sugandh Agrawal (Industrial Design, 2005), founder and creative director, Gunas New York

Click here to hear more from the award winners and to learn more about CCAD’s Alumni Awards.