Alum’s grants aid Painting majors

Jordi Rowe ’23 knows how to help people. Outside of her painting practice, she’s known as Dr. Jordi Rowe, a Cleveland Clinic anatomic pathologist who specializes in diagnosing breast cancer. As Rowe graduated from high school, her mother died of breast cancer—and it was her mother’s dying wish that she practice medicine. Today, Rowe saves lives. Literally.

As a CIA alum, Rowe isn’t helping people navigate life-or-death situations, but she’s making a meaningful difference in the lives and practices of current Painting majors through two awards she established mere months after graduating. The awards are grants, not scholarships—which is noteworthy because while scholarships help pay down tuition, they don’t put money in students’ pockets for day-to-day needs. Rowe wanted to address the latter.

While still a student, she recognized that some of her classmates—who weren’t earning a salary through a career in medicine like her—had to make “really hard choices” with regard to purchasing art supplies or executing their BFA projects the way they envisioned.

“It’s hard to see your friends struggle like that,” Rowe says. “So, when I graduated, I wanted to make certain there was a way for me to give back to my community that didn’t just go to pay their tuition bills but that they could use to get painting supplies or explore new areas of painting that they wouldn’t otherwise have the money for. You know, like a little bit of flexible income.”

As a result, she established The Jordi Rowe Painting Grant, which awards $1,000 to a senior Painting major for excellence in painting, and The Jordi and David Rowe Family Grant, which awards $250 to a junior Painting major for excellence in painting. For both, Painting faculty members select a recipient who’s in good academic standing.

Also important to Rowe is that her grants recognize artistic achievement. Since she paid her way through college, Rowe never completed a FAFSA—which meant she wasn’t eligible for scholarships from CIA. But, she didn’t realize that until her senior year. Instead, she thought scholarships were awarded on the quality of one’s work.

“I didn’t necessarily want [scholarships] for the money, but it always looks good on an artist’s CV if you win an award or honor,” Rowe says. “So, I decided I wanted awards that could go to students that have nothing to do with financial aid and would be dispersed on merit by the Painting faculty. That was important to me.”

The community Rowe built at CIA also inspired her to give back. She worked hard at integrating, not only with her peers in Painting but throughout CIA. She even kept her medical career a secret from classmates and faculty for years in an effort to earn their respect as a fellow artist.

“It was really important for me to find my place in that community,” Rowe says. “And, when I got to CIA, it was very welcoming. I thought, this is great. This is where I want to be. And I quickly realized that I had a lot to give, not only in critiques, but I have the means with which to support others.”

Rowe’s grants are the first of their kind at CIA. They represent a creative solution that she worked to achieve with Rachel Zinram, CIA Director of Alumni Relations + Scholarships.

“It was a path no one had forged before, and Rachel and I forged that path together,” Rowe says. “I’m super-appreciative of how much effort and time she has put in because look who’s benefited. We have four students so far who’ve benefited and it didn’t take that long to get rolling. It’s as easy as writing a check.”

###

How you can support CIA

To set up a CIA scholarship or explore creative ways to support students, contact Rachel Zinram, Director of Alumni Relations + Scholarships, at rmzinram@cia.edu.