Chancellor King Recognizes Top SUNY Students for Their Achievement in the Arts
April 30, 2024
University at Albany and Purchase College Students Honored with This Year's Thayer Fellowships and Patricia Kerr Ross Award
Three Winners of the 2024 ‘Best of SUNY Art Exhibition Series' Celebrated
Four Honorable Mentions for ‘Best of SUNY Art Exhibition' Acknowledged
Albany, NY – In a celebration of the arts across the State University of New York colleges and universities, SUNY Chancellor John B. King, Jr. today announced the students selected for the Thayer Fellowships and Patricia Kerr Ross Award, as well as winners of the 2024 "Best of SUNY Art Exhibition" at SUNY's H. Carl McCall Building.
"The arts are an essential part of SUNY, a crucial form of expression and a means of communication that foster a connection between artist and audience, pushing them to reflect upon and appreciate the meaningful details in the bigger picture," said SUNY Chancellor King. "Across SUNY, we have thousands of artists on our campuses expressing themselves through creativity. I congratulate every awardee as we celebrate artistic diversity and excellence across SUNY."
Thayer Fellowships and Patricia Kerr Ross Award
Established in memorial of Jeanne C. Thayer, SUNY Board Trustee from 1974-1984, and Patricia Kerr Ross, former artistic director of the Thayer Fellowship, these honors are awarded each year to outstanding students preparing to graduate from a SUNY school.
The fellowships provide post-graduate support for SUNY students pursuing careers in the arts. The awards may be used for, but are not limited to, auditions, studio space, supplies, equipment, website development, rent, recording sessions, and publishing costs.
Two Thayer Fellowships of $7,000 each may be given to one individual or divided between two outstanding candidates. The Fellowship selection is based on talent, achievement, and potential as a professional artist. The Ross Award of $1,000 is given annually to an individual or divided between two exceptional applicants. The basis for this award is excellence, originality, and promise. The awards are available to seniors and graduate students in the arts who are ready to graduate from the University and make a career in the arts. They are not intended for students going on to graduate school.
The winners of the Thayer Fellowship are:
- Sean Desiree, University at Albany, MFA Degree Candidate in Studio Art
- Allison Fan, Purchase College, Conservancy of Dance
The winner of the Patricia Kerr Ross Award is:
- Parker Reid, Purchase College, Conservancy of Music
University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez said, "Art has the power to bridge divides and build connections. As we confront global challenges and work to educate the next generation of leaders, these connections are more important than ever. I am very proud of the work of our University at Albany student artists and grateful to our SUNY and state leaders for recognizing their important contributions. Congratulations to all the students being honored this year for their achievement in arts, particularly this year's Thayer Fellowship winner and UAlbany MFA candidate, Sean Desiree."
Purchase College President Milagros "Milly" Peña said, "I am very proud to congratulate our students, Allison Fan and Parker Reid, who have been awarded with the Thayer Fellowship and the Ross Award. These two students have shown incredible talent and determination as young artists. We look forward to following their careers and continuing to watch them grow in their professions.
Best of SUNY Art Exhibition
The ‘Best of SUNY Art Exhibition' showcases artistic works by student artists from across the SUNY system. Selected student artwork has been on display at the H. Carl McCall Building in Albany since December of 2023. Artwork featured at the ‘Best of SUNY' exhibit are chosen by respective campus art departments. The traditional areas of drawing, ceramics, painting, sculpture, photography, and printmaking are included, as well as non-traditional forms including mixed media, graphic design, and digitally produced works.
Three Best of SUNY student artists will receive $1,000 scholarships. They are:
- Caitlin Marx, SUNY Oswego – Vessel
- Rosanny Rosario, Rockland Community College – Storm King
- Ria Rajan, Stony Brook University – Island Light
Honorable Mention awards of $500 were also given to four students. They are:
- Katerine Keogh, Binghamton University – If I Keep Quiet Long Enough
- Darlene White, Empire State University – Jazzy Belle
- Lydia McNally, SUNY New Paltz – Bathroom Self Portrait
- Zachary Buzzell, SUNY Plattsburgh – Hugging Lamp
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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Holly Liapis
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