Award Winners
Scholarship Recipient Profiles
Since the program's launch in 2008, more than 20 students have been awarded Louis H. Schilt scholarships to enter Graphic Design and Web Design certificate programs. On this page are some profile highlights:
Saunders, Ryan - Marine Corps - Iraq 2003-2005
Goals: The attention to detail I learned as a Marine has proved to be a valuable skill in design. I'm looking to gain a solid base in graphic design to help me create better manuals, magazines, and other products. "Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Ellis, Lisa - Military Spouse - Husband is Army and Marine veteran who served in Gulf War I
Goals: My goal is to become proficient in code and Adobe software programs as well as being able to design professional web sites. I plan to develop informational web sites in the non-profit sector, focusing primarily on veterans’ issues. "Even if you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there." - Will Rogers
Tanner, Robert - Marine Corps - Kosovo, Iraq 2002-2005
Goals: Create an online presence for my fellow Iraq and Afghanistan veterans to reconnect and support each other in overcoming their daily obstacles. "He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives—in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men." - Franklin D. Roosevelt
Bott, Jonathan - Air Force - Afghanistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Russia, China, Vietnam, Korea, 2000-2003
Goals: To build a foundation for a future in the growing field of Web Design. I'm looking forward to molding new opportunities by no longer living by the sword. "Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it." - Helen Keller
Durden, Arlington - Army - Germany, Korea, Iraq, 1982- 2000
Goals: I hope to be able to expand my new business, Photos-N-Motion, and achieve the financial stability to pursue a freelance career in advertising and graphic design. I would like to create images that identify products, construct magazine and book layouts, and design posters. My ultimate goal is to produce work that provokes thought and shapes opinions. "The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook" - William James
Godinez, Jose - Air Force - U.S., Noble Eagle/Iraqi Freedom 2005-present
Goals: I love technical designs and I build computers on my spare time. I would love to build a robot one day soon (I sure have the parts in my garage). In this course, I hope to achieve a thorough understanding of Web design and publishing to the Web. "Any intelligent fool can make things bigger, more complex, and more violent. It takes a touch of genius—and a lot of courage—to move in the opposite direction." - Albert Einstein
Nessly, Marta - Army spouse - Husband served in Iraq, 2003-2006
Goals: I enjoy bringing the simplest of creations to life and bringing those I love into my artistic world. I am hoping to find a career as a graphic designer. I also want to learn uses of Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign. "If you don't know where you're going in life, any road will get you there."
Northey, Jessica - Army - U.S., April 2005 to June 2007
Goals: My creative aspirations began in 7th grade drawing class and haven’t stopped. I worked in communications in the Army and now work in graphic design. I plan to become a freelance Web designer working for myself upon graduating the certificate program. "Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to reform (or pause and reflect)" - Mark Twain
Quick, Audrie - Army - Iraq, 2003
Goals: I like to draw stuff, with a mouse. In the program, I'm hoping not only to become more fluent in CSS, Javascript, and PHP, but also to revitalize my creativity with design classes. "I have offended God and mankind because my work didn't reach the quality it should have." - Leonardo DaVinci
Sandoval, Andrea - Army - Kuwait, Iraq, Germany, 1991-2005
Goals: I hope to achieve a solid foundation in graphic design techniques, styles, and much more. I’d like to build my photography skills into my graphic design skills and start my own company, designing and publishing logos and posters for clients, especially in the music industry. "The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." - Eleanor Roosevelt
Spoerke, Skip - Army - Bosnia-Herzegovina, 2000-2001, Iraq 2004-2006
Goals: I am the vice president of a nonprofit organization that ships care packages to deployed US military members. I want to grow my Web site design abilities and develop a fresh set of skills so that the Web sites I design will be both functional and creative. "There's a fine line between genius and insanity. I have erased this line." - Oscar Levant
Cleveland, Robin - Marine Corps spouse - Husband served in Japan and Kuwait, 1983-2007
Goals: To develop my creative eye, expand my technical knowledge, and enjoy a journey of self-discovery. "Live life to its fullest—don't let it live you!"
Miller, Emily - Army spouse - Husband served 1993-2005, including Iraq tour
Goals: As a photographer, I hope to understand everything that I could possibly do in Photoshop to manipulate photographic images. I am excited to learn graphic design and designing logos and templates for photo cards. "Every artist was first an amateur." - Ralph Waldo Emerson
Urso, Joseph - Army - W. Germany and U.S., 1978-1985
Goals: I like to do pencil/charcoal drawings, mostly portraits, and recently had my first commission. My goals are to upgrade my graphic design and software skills, which are all self-taught. In this program I hope to acquire the professional skills and credentials that I need to re-enter the job market with confidence. "A clever person can get himself out of a situation that a wise person wouldn't be in."
Explore the goals of our military scholarship winners.
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