Annual Awards

At the end of each academic year, the College of Art and Design recognizes students, faculty and staff for their creative and innovative feats that contribute to advancements in the RIT community as well as industry. 

This honor recognizes an adjunct faculty member who has shown excellence in teaching and provided exemplary service to their affiliated school and the college. 

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Janet Gibbons Morris, School of Art
  • 2022: Cecily Culver, School of Design
  • 2021: Melanie Martinek, School of Art
  • 2020: Lorianne Resch, School of Design
  • 2019: John Dodd, School of Design
  • 2018: Eric Kunsman, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2017: Chris Lyons, School of Design
  • 2016: Dan Harel, School of Design
  • 2015: Gary Jacobs, School of Design
  • 2014: Stephen Whittaker, School of Media Sciences

This honor is given to a faculty member/team who works with students to create innovative publications using new technologies and/or workflows.

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Mary Jaye Blanchard, School of Film and Animation
  • 2022: Keli DiRisio and Carol Fillip, School of Design
  • 2021: Ambarien Alqadar, School of Film and Animation
  • 2020: Miguel Cardona and Hye-Jin Nae, School of Design
  • 2019: Bruce Myers, School of Media Sciences
  • 2018: Denis Defibaugh (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences) and Lorrie Frear (School of Design)
  • 2017: Meredith Davenport (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences) and Elena Federovskaya (School of Media Sciences)
  • 2016: Elena Federovskaya, School of Media Sciences)
  • 2015: Denis Defibaugh (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences) and Lorrie Frear (School of Design)
  • 2014: Denis Defibaugh (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences) and Lorrie Frear (School of Design)
  • 2013: Christine Heusner, School of Media Sciences
  • 2012: Denis Defibaugh (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences) and Lorrie Frear (School of Design)
  • 2011: N/A
  • 2010: Michael Peres, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2009: Matt Bernius (School of Media Sciences), Doug Rea (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences), Michael Riordan (School of Media Sciences) and William Snyder (School of Photographic Arts and Sciences)

Established in 2016 by emeritus faculty Frank J. Romano, this prize is awarded to a member of the College of Art and Design faculty who has worked with a student researcher to create an innovative project using 3D technology. This prize is not currently awarded.

Past Recipients 

  • 2020: Marla Schweppe, School of Design
  • 2019: Alex Lobos and Stan Rickel, School of Design
  • 2018: Alex Lobos
  • 2017: Alex Lobos

This award is given to a tenured or tenure-track faculty member in an area related to graphic communication who has been judged to have made an outstanding contribution to their profession.

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Anne Jordan, School of Design
  • 2022: Joshua Rashaad McFadden, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2021: Jack Beck, School of Film and Animation
  • 2020: Josh Meltzer and Jenn Poggi, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2019: Ambarien Alqadar, School of Film and Animation
  • 2018: Mindy Magyar, School of Design
  • 2017: Josh Meltzer, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Josh Owen, School of Design
  • 2016: Cat Ashworth, School of Film and Animation
  • 2015: Meredith Davenport, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2014: Shaun Foster, School of Design; David Halbstein, School of Design
  • 2013: Greg Halpern, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2012: Award not given
  • 2011: Carol Fillip, School of Design; Lorrie Frear, School of Design
  • 2010: Peter Byrne, School of Design; Carole Woodlock, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2009: R. Roger Remington, School of Design
  • 2008: Michael Peres, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2007: Chris Jackson, School of Design; Jim Ver Hague, School of Design
  • 2006: Michael Amy, School of Art
  • 2005: Roberley Bell, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2004: Stephanie Maxwell, School of Film and Animation
  • 2003: Andrew Davidhazy, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences; Michael Peres, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2002: Michael Kleper, School of Media Science

The Pfizenmaier Award is given each year to a student recipient, who selects a faculty mentor to share the honor with.

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Ivy Leong (Graphic Design) and Lorrie Frear (mentor), School of Design
  • 2022: Maggie Blaisdell (Graphic Design) and Lorrie Frear (mentor), School of Design
  • 2021: Stephanie Liu (New Media Design) and Miguel Cardona (mentor), School of Design
  • 2020: Anna Schum-Houck (Graphic Design) and Lorrie Frear (mentor), School of Design
  • 2019: Shana Dixon (Film and Animation) and Brian Larson (mentor), School of Film and Animation
  • 2018: Margaret Sommers (Graphic Design) and Nancy Bernardo (mentor), School of Design
  • 2017: Kelly Hurlburt (New Media Design) and Adam Smith (mentor), School of Design
  • 2016: N/A
  • 2015: Brendan Kirschbaum (Film and Animation) and Brian Larson (mentor), School of Film and Animation
  • 2014: Gabriel Greenlaw (Glass) and Michael Rogers (mentor), School for America Crafts
  • 2013: Brittany Moran (New Media Design) and Adam Smith (mentor), School of Design
  • 2012: Shreyasi Das (Film and Animation) and Mark Reisch (mentor), School of Film and Animation; Stephanie Mitchell (New Media Design) and Adam Smith (mentor), School of Design
  • 2011: Kelso Davis (Graphic Design) and Peter Byrne (mentor), School of Design; Sarah Sugarman (Graphic Design) and Lorrie Frear (mentor), School of Design
  • 2010: Lindsay Berkebile (Film and Animation) and Tom Gasek (mentor), School of Film and Animation
  • 2009: Rachel Poulin (Graphic Design) and Carol Fillip (mentor), School of Design
  • 2008: N/A
  • 2007: Jessica Mills (Graphic Design) and Lorrie Frear (mentor), School of Design

Awarded annually to an MFA, MS or MST candidate in the College of Art and Design.

Past Recipients

  • 2023: Ariella Knight, Industrial Design MFA
  • 2022: Mary McLoughlin, Industrial Design MFA
  • 2021: Komal Ashfaq, Film and Animation MFA
  • 2020: Carlos Mario Tobón Franco, Photography and Related Media MFA
  • 2019: Ileana Doble Hernandez, Photography and Related Media MFA
  • 2018: Jade Thiraswas, Photography and Related Media MFA
  • 2017: Michael Kelly, Industrial Design MFA
  • 2016: Cory Fitzgerald, Photography and Related Media MFA

This award recognizes a College of Art and Design staff member for their outstanding contributions within the college and RIT campus community. 

Past Recipients

  • 2023: David Walter, School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
  • 2022: Kristie Gross, Student Services
  • 2021: Jennifer Whitlock, Vignelli Center for Design Studies
  • 2018: Marcia Carroll, School of Media Sciences
  • 2017: Michele Washburn, Dean's Office
  • 2016: Fran Chinnock, School of Art
  • 2015: Joe Allgeier, Facilities and Operations
  • 2014: Grace Gladney, Dean's Office; Kristie Gross, Student Services and Advising