CIA celebrates 2018 commencement

CLEVELAND, Ohio, May 18, 2018—The Cleveland Institute of Art celebrated commencement today at the Maltz Center for the Performing Arts.

Kevin Geiger, a 1989 graduate who majored in painting before embarking on an entertainment-arts career, presented the commencement address before 123 seniors and their family and friends.

“As artists, you’re ahead of the game,” Geiger said. “Life is uncertain. The path is uncertain. You guys wrestle with uncertainty every day. The blank canvas. The ball of clay. The blank computer screen. You generate something from nothing.”

CIA currently confers the bachelor of fine art degree in 15 majors: Animation, Biomedical Art, Ceramics, Drawing, Game Design, Glass, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Architecture, Jewelry + Metals, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, and Sculpture + Expanded Media.

Student speaker Jacqui Evers, a Graphic Design major, reiterated the importance of what her classmates were about to embark upon. “Art and design are vessels for communicating deep ideas and bringing people together to look at the world in a different way," Evers said. "And it’s everywhere!”

Cynthia Prior Gascoigne, Chair of the CIA Board of Directors, announced winners of the prestigious President’s Traveling Scholarships: Kayli Salzano, Alisa Hassett, Alyson Hollobaugh, Michael Mentz, Sydney Givens and Morgan Mansfield. Hollobaugh also received the Otto F. Ege Memorial Award for scholastic achievement. Julia Maddalina and Madison Moran received Outstanding Senior Students Awards for contributions to the College community.

Photography + Video Department Chair Nancy McEntee received a Viktor Schreckengost Teaching Award, named for the designer and lifelong CIA faculty member. The award honors excellence in teaching.

A Schreckengost Award also was given posthumously to painter Paul Travis ’29, a member of the Cleveland School group of artist, who taught at CIA for 28 years.