Alumni Scholarship Award recipient Jesse Flores (BFA 2010 Computer Art) spoke on behalf of thesis partner Jessenia Nauta (BFA Computer Art 2010) about the impact the award had on their thesis project, Luciernaga. "Winning the award really took our animation film to another level. We already were working with a fantastic composer who was helping us out, even though we did not have much funding. Getting the award allowed us to rent studio time, hire a sound engineer and a small orchestra dedicated to performing the score for our film. It was an incredible experience to see our passion for this film lead to more than just another school project. As news about the production level of our film spread, a lot of faculty took notice. Because of that, Jessenia and I both landed a freelance gig with the production house Framestore NYC while we were still in school, and shortly after graduating, we both got staff positions there as visual effects artists."  To learn more about Jesse and Jessenia's project visit http://lecheproject.blogspot.com/

Alumni Scholarship Award recipient John Sung (BFA 2012 Computer Art, Computer Animation and Visual Effects) used his award to put the finishing touches on his animated short thesis film Spacebunnies! John spoke about how receiving the award impacted his project saying, “How to score the film was always a concern for me from the beginning. I wanted the music to be an important narrative element, and I've always imagined a small band creating the music but had no real way of funding it. Winning the award has helped that dream become a reality. With the funds from the award, I was able to wrangle together the finest group of musicians and a talented composer. Needless to say, the award was incredibly important in bringing the film to the next level." To learn more about John and his work visit his website. To view Spacebunnies! visit the Computer Art Department website. 

“Winning the William C. Arkell award truly took my thesis film Pedestrian off the ground. Far beyond financing and processing the film, the award also encouraged and incredibly talented cast and crew to come on board; and it gave me the confidence I needed to lead them. We are currently in the finishing stages of post-production and plan to submit Pedestrian to Sundance."
-Claire Ensslin, BFA 2012 Film and Video
To learn more about Claire and her work visit her website.

“Winning an Alumni Scholarship Award brings encouragement to students who strive to do the best in their work. The award brought me pure joy knowing that my school and donors believed in the dreams I had for my thesis film Treasured Adventures. I was able to fund my entire movie, which financially helped me out (right after completing the project, I went out to L.A for a week to intern). The award has motivated me to always try my best and present my films to the best to my ability. I am currently working in film and television for numerous feature film and corporate companies.”
-Brittany Neff, BFA 2012 Film and Video
To see Brittany’s work visit her vimeo page.

William C. Arkell Memorial Scholarship recipient Katharina Rohrer (BFA 2004 Film and Video) used her award to put the finishing touches on her thesis film, The Search, without having to make compromises just because of finances. Kat said, “Receiving the Arkell award allowed me to handle my film like a professional and make contacts with industry professionals in the process. Applying for the award also taught me how to approach fundraising, a crucial skill in today’s film world and something every director needs to know. It made my start in this often difficult business just a little easier.” Today, Kat continues to make films, counting among her accomplishments the founding of production company GreenKat Productions and the documentary feature film Fatal Promises. To learn more about Kat's work visit greenkatproductions.com.

“While working hard on a tight budget to complete my thesis film 49Minutes, my crew members gathered in a studio and exclaimed in delight upon hearing that the project had won an Alumni Scholarship Award. From that moment on, I could provide them with better food, as well as use the award money for better post production. Above all, it made my crew members even more enthusiastic for the production. They’re still proud that they participated in the project, and I’m proud of them.” 
-Sangchul Shin, BFA 2012 Film & Video
To see a trailer of Sangchul’s thesis film visit his vimeo page.

“I received an Alumni Scholarship Award to aid my thesis project Do You Know an Immigrant?, a case study about the stories of immigrants that inspired me during my time at SVA. The award money was used for the production of a short documentary film and the printing of a supplementary book. I never would have been able to get the professionals to work with me on the project that I did if it were not for the stipend from The Alumni Society. It pushed me to be more proactive with my thesis when there wasn't anyone or anything else telling me to keep going. Knowing that The Alumni Society puts itself out there to help SVA students served as a large inspiration for me to complete the project. Currently, I am working at HarperCollins Publishers as a designer, creating packing and jackets. I plan to pursue further work in film on the side, and to continue giving back by centering my personal work on social advocacy issues.”
-Nina LoSchiavo, BFA 2012 Graphic Design
To learn more about Nina and her work, view her portfolio and visit her vimeo page.  

"I like to think that winning the Jack Endewelt Memorial Award was a way to inform me that I am doing something right, and that someone other than my instructors was noticing that. The award allowed me to create the projects I wanted to create for my thesis with less limitation on cost. It pushed me to create some of the largest paintings I've ever made, and I learned a lot from spending so much time on them in my last semester at SVA." 
-Jonny Ruzzo, BFA 2012 Illustration
To learn more about Jonny and his work visit his website.

Alumni Scholarship Award recipient Mohamed Amer (BFA 2009 Interior Design) used his award to assist with the conceptual redesign of San Francisco International Airport’s Terminal 2 as the home of airline Virgin America. After posting one of his renderings on their Facebook page, Virgin America contacted Amer.  “I still remember finishing my scholarship application at the last minute and just making the deadline," he said. "I had no idea it was going to change my life. The award helped turn my thesis into a real client presentation and allowed me to discover my role as a designer, artist and SVA alumnus.” Today Amer works as a full-time designer at TPG Architecture in New York, where he has completed several national airport projects. To see more of Mohamed's work, visit amer-design.com

"Winning an Alumni Scholarship Award was pivotal. I used the money to create the best body of work possible; I would have been hindered incredibly had it not been for the support of The Alumni Society. They provided funding for me to complete two ambitious projects — for my thesis The Theocratic Republic of Gaia, and most importantly for me to have an open studio to show this work. Some of the photographic work I presented required high production costs including travel, costumes, make up and props. Additional support from the award allowed me to work in a range of mediums such as, fiber and ceramic sculpture, animation, painting, and photography, all for the creation of one cohesive environment. Apart from the production costs, the award allowed me to display the works the way I wanted. My open studio was a wealth of ambitious multidisciplinary work thanks to the Alumni Scholarship Award.”
-Elektra KB, BFA 2012 Visual and Critical Studies
To learn more about Elektra and her work visit her website.

“The Alumni Scholarship Award really allowed me to accomplish an ambitious project that otherwise would have been out of my reach. Installation projects like my thesis Resolution are expensive, and oftentimes budgets play a crucial role in the final outcome. The scholarship award allowed me to experiment, which was important in helping me figure out what worked and what didn't. Also, knowing that industry leaders and alumni believed in me and my project motivated me to accomplish something greater.”
-Stephanie Andreou, MFA 2012 Computer Art
To learn more about Stephanie and her work visit her website.

Alumni Scholarship Award recipient Dustin Grella (MFA 2009 Computer Art) spoke about the impact the award had on his animated thesis project Prayers for Peace saying, “Honestly, this might sound strange, but I used the scholarship award to eat. It might not seem like a big deal now, but at the time [eating] was a huge deal. Sure, I spent the actual award money on a light bulb for a projector and some pastels to do my animation, but one night in particular I was working really hard; I was focused, getting a lot done, and didn’t want to stop and eat. I realized that I had a few extra dollars in my pocket and could go out to get a quick meal, and not have to go all the way home and back again. So I ate takeout in the studio and watched my animation looping on the board. Not only did winning the scholarship award allow me to eat, but more importantly, it allowed me to take a break and view my project as a spectator which helped me realize I could create two pieces out of the one I was working on.” To see more of Dustin's work visit dustingrella.com

“When I received the Alumni Scholarship Award in support of my thesis project The Compositor, I was ecstatic. There is nothing like being granted funds to help you and your personal idea. It helped fuel my confidence in and admiration for what I was working on. The award saved my butt! I tackled a hefty project with a lot of expenses. My school loans and Kickstarter funding were just not enough. What I received from The Alumni Society was just enough to finish my film. It allowed me to pay a fair price to the cast and crew. Everybody was fed more than enough food. I thank you for that! The award gave me the financial confidence to treat my project with care.” 
-John Mattiuzzi, MFA 2012 Computer Art
To learn more about John and his film visit www.TheCompositorfilm.com.

"The Alumni Scholarship Award played a crucial role in finalizing the presentation for my thesis in the Illustration as Visual Essay graduate program. The project helped me become more confident in my writing, and become a better image maker. The scholarship funding helped me make a splash right from the start as I prepared for the exhibit and produced promotional materials for the thesis.” 
-Daniel Fishel, MFA 2011 Illustration as Visual Essay 
To see more of Daniel's work visit o-fishel.com

“The SVA Alumni scholarship award allowed me to buy all of the art supplies I needed to produce my master’s thesis, which consists of three different media: silkscreen prints, Sculpey, and a comic book. I was aiming to share more of this work with people who have been affected by breast cancer (which was the subject of my thesis). Aside from the support to buy more materials, the scholarship connected me to the larger SVA community including past students, who were supportive of me and the work; that felt great. Thank you SVA!”
 -Nina Frenkel, MFA 2012 Illustration as Visual Essay
To learn more about Nina and her work visit her website.

"It was an honor as well as a relief to receive an Alumni Scholarship Award. It is one thing to dream up something on paper, but another thing to make sure it comes to life. Thanks to the award, I was able to take all my final projects to the next level. I wanted to fully realize my work and make an impact in the real world. Unexpectedly, in my last semester I was asked to give four interactive talks at TEDxNewHaven and had to create 200 kits with physical examples of each project. Their budget was tight, but I wanted to do it ‘right’ and give the TEDx audience the best experience possible. In addition to helping me purchase materials for my projects such as thermochromic fabric for an interactive hug vest, the award combined with assistance from the Interaction Design department allowed me to make all 200 kits.”
-Catherine Young, MFA 2012 Interaction Design
To learn more about Catherine and her work, visit her blog or view her portfolio.

Thomas Reiss Memorial Award recipient Roger Generazzo (MFA 2012 Photography, Video and Related Media) used his award to assist with the completion of his thesis project The Waterways of New York, an extensive photographic survey of the major and minor waterways and adjacent landscapes of New York City. Roger spoke about the impact the award had on his project saying, “Winning the Reiss Award not only encouraged me to continue the project but also allowed me to gas up my car and continue photographing these areas so that others can see what I see — the history and beauty of New York City embedded in its landscapes despite what’s occurred there.” To learn more about Roger and his work visit his website.