The Department of Art, Art History, and Design (AAHD) at Michigan State University honored its 2026 undergraduate awards and scholarship recipients during the reception for the 2026 AAHD Undergraduate Exhibition on April 10 at (SCENE) Metrospace. The awards and scholarships recognize Art, Art History, and Design students for their outstanding coursework and creative skills this past academic year.
Each spring the faculty comes together to nominate exceptional undergraduate students from across the department for these honors. Thanks to generous support from endowments and donations, the department is able to celebrate the resilience, creativity, ingenuity, and scholarly pursuits of these outstanding students.
The following is the complete list of the 2026 AAHD awards and scholarship recipients:
Joe and Shirley Kuszai Endowed Scholarship
Awarded by Graphic Design faculty, the Joe and Shirley Kuszai Endowed Scholarship is presented to an outstanding undergraduate student at the junior level majoring in Graphic Design.
Recipients:
- Kara Chapman
- Connor DiGasboro
- Juno Krumrey
- Ashtyn Mosingo
Marta S. Hentschel Schafer Endowed Scholarship in Art
The Marta S. Hentschel Schafer Endowed Scholarship in Art is awarded to one or more outstanding undergraduate students with a major in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design. The award is typically given to students from Michigan.
Recipients:
- Asli Altintop
- Lara Baroudi
- Kathryn Feers
- Addison Maul
Ralph Calder Scholarship
Presented by the AAHD Undergraduate Awards Committee and named after Ralph Calder, architect of the Kresge Art Center, which houses the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, this scholarship is awarded annually to junior-level students in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design who have demonstrated excellence in their completed coursework and exhibited potential for performing superbly in their senior year.
Recipients:
- Ryleigh Rahman
- Morgan Thomas
- Trinity Wise
Geraldine Potchen Award
The Geraldine Potchen Award is presented to a sophomore in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design who has demonstrated excellence in their completed coursework and who exhibits superb potential. The award was established by Dr. E. James Potchen, MSU Professor of Radiology, and is given annually in honor of Mrs. Potchen.
Recipient:
- Leah Clark
Jens Plum Award
The Jens Plum Award, established by Nancy Plum in memory of her husband, Jens Plum, is presented to a junior or senior Studio Art major whose work reveals special artistic insight through the act or process of drawing.
Recipients:
- Amanda Roberts
- Evan Yalowitz
Anna E. Bayha Award
Awarded by Apparel and Textile Design faculty, the Anna E. Bayha Award is presented to a student who, at the close of their junior year, has shown unusual ability in the field of clothing, displayed a high scholastic standing, and demonstrated to be partially or wholly self-supporting.
Recipient:
- Kathleen Loria
Anna Creekmore Award
The Anna Creekmore Award is given to a graduating Apparel and Textile Design senior who has demonstrated creativity, outstanding scholastic achievement, and professional potential.
Recipient:
- Reagan Wiley
Ellen B. Judson Award
The Ellen B. Judson Award is presented to the Apparel and Textile Design student attaining the best and highest standing in clothing courses at the close of their sophomore year.
Recipient:
- Casey Klau
Fogg Excellence in Ceramics Award
The Fogg Excellence in Ceramics Award is given annually to advanced students excelling in Ceramics coursework.
Recipients:
- Amanda Roberts
- Ashley Romps
- Kelsey Smith
- Hunter Thomas
Fogg Emerging Ceramics Award
The Fogg Emerging Ceramics Award is given annually to a student excelling in their beginning Ceramics coursework and showing great potential for the future.
Recipients:
- Shelly Beach
- Megan Rode
Carolyn J. Hook Scholarship
The Carolyn J. Hook Scholarship recognizes students who are doing outstanding work in the area of ceramics.
Recipient:
- Ourania Alexopoulos
Ralf Henricksen Award
The Ralf Henricksen Award is given to a graduating Studio Art major whose focus is in painting and whose work is deemed to be the most successful among their peers in their final year of study. The award was established by Mr. and Mrs. Coey in memory of Mrs. Coey’s father Ralf Henrickson.
Recipient:
- Keir Thomas
Gretel Geist Rutledge Award
The Gretel Geist Rutledge Award recognizes students who are producing outstanding work through printmaking. This award aims to encourage students to continue their passion for print.
Recipient:
- Nikki Smith
Susan J. Bandes Scholarship
Susan J. Bandes, Professor Emeritus of Art History in the Department of Art, Art History, and Design, established this endowment to benefit students studying Museum Studies and Art History. Dr. Bandes began her career at MSU as Director and Curator of the Kresge Art Museum in 1986, serving as Art History faculty and contributing significantly to the development and direction of Museum Studies. The Bandes Scholarship provides funds to Art History students seeking professional development through internships, conference attendance, research, and travel.
Recipient:
- MJ Monteiro
College of Arts and Letters AAHD Awardees
Alexis Alore, Art Education, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship, Workman Scholarship for Study Abroad
Jake Barnes, Graphic Design, Alumni Endowed Book Scholarship, The Nora Sager Stackhouse Endowed Scholarship in Arts and Letters
Emerson Bogacki, Art Education, Arts & Letters Alumni Endowed Scholarship, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Jazmyn Brown, Graphic Design, The Audrey and John Leslie Endowed Scholarship in Arts and Letters, Lowe Detroit Endowed Scholarship
Yalitzy Campbell, Apparel and Textile Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Madelyn Corgan, Studio Art, Alumni Endowed Book Scholarship, Marian Lee Aylesworth Award
Cáijá Hammerström, Art History, Studio Art, Arts & Letters Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Kerina Jauregui, Graphic Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Sierra Lamphier, Art Education, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Kathleen Loria, Apparel and Textile Design, Arts & Letters Alumni Endowed Scholarship
Myles McClary, Apparel and Textile Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Mira Mitchell, Graphic Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Ari Mullett, Art Education, Alumni Endowed Book Scholarship, College of Arts & Letters Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad
Henna Nellis, Graphic Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Nicky Purton, Apparel and Textile Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship, College of Arts & Letters Endowed Scholarship for Study Abroad
Elizabeth Rheaume, Graphic Design, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Megan Rode, Art Education, Grand Hotel Endowed Scholarship
Rico Seatts, Apparel and Textile Design, Grand Hotel Endowed Scholarship
Kaity Silengo, Studio Art, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Kelsey Smith, Art Education, Alumni Endowed Book Scholarship
Morgan Smith, Art History, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Lillian Stauffer, Art History, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
Keir Thomas, Studio Art, Louis B. Sudler Prize in the Arts
Holly VandenBussche, Apparel and Textile Design, Grand Hotel Endowed Scholarship
Natalie Watson, Studio Art, The Audrey and John Leslie Endowed Scholarship in Arts and Letters
Caleb Xiang, Art History, The Nora Sager Stackhouse Endowed Scholarship in Arts and Letters, College of Arts & Letters Education Abroad Scholarship
