Come celebrate this year's SCAD Savannah Film Festival, the university's 21st annual acclamation of cinematic excellence, Oct. 27–Nov. 3, 2018. A key stop on the Oscar festival circuit, the festival will screen 164 total films, including 33 narrative films, 16 documentary films and 115 shorts, more than any previous year. SCAD will welcome more than 55,000 expected attendees from around the world, including developing talent, students, and the industry luminaries who make the big screen shine.

The largest university-run film festival in the country will honor professional and emerging filmmakers during its eight-day film schedule of events. The festival kicks off Saturday, Oct. 27 with the Opening Night Gala screening “Roma," directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Actors Yalitza Aparicio and Marina de Tavira and producer Gabriela Rodriguez will be in attendance. The Centerpiece Gala feature is “If Beale Street Could Talk," written and directed by Barry Jenkins, and starring festival honorees Stephan James and KiKi Layne, all of whom will be in attendance.  The festival concludes Saturday, Nov. 3 with the Closing Gala screening “Green Book," directed by Peter Farrelly, and starring Viggo Mortensen and 2016 festival honoree Mahershala Ali.

The 2018 schedule includes Gala, Docs to Watch, Signature and Professional Competition screenings, along with Global Shorts, and the returning “Wonder Women" forum, highlighting female directors, producers, and below-the-line talent. New programming this year includes Animation Corner: Art in Motion.

SCAD's annual tribute to excellence in film has screened over 110 Oscar-nominated films, and has honored over 80 legendary actors, directors, producers, writers, and filmmakers. 

“SCAD's renowned master's and bachelor's degree programs are essential to the continued growth, sophistication, and evolution of entertainment professions in Georgia and around the world," says SCAD President and Founder Paula Wallace. “SCAD is the preeminent source of knowledge in film, production design, costume, animation, motion media, performing arts, screenwriting, sound, and every other aspect of entertainment. It is our pleasure to celebrate moving pictures with our better-than-ever 21st SCAD Savannah Film Festival."

More than 10,000 SCAD alumni have graduated from the schools of digital media and entertainment arts, and nearly 5,000 students are currently enrolled in majors that cover fields of animation, entertainment, motion pictures, media production, writing, editing, broadcast media and performing arts.

Celebrating its 21st year, the festival and the competition provide SCAD students with opportunities as unique as the selected films. This year, the SCAD Savannah Film Festival received a record-breaking 2,300 submissions for the competition film series. During the festival, students from every academic discipline connect with leaders from the entertainment industry through master classes, coffee talks, lectures, workshops and panel discussions.

Tickets and passes are available for purchase online at savannahboxoffice.com, by telephone at 912.525.5050, or in person at the Trustees Theater, 216 E. Broughton St., Savannah. Visit filmfest.scad.edu for a complete list of films and screening locations.

"My goal as department chair is to promote the essence of professional practice and business acumen," says Joaquin Roesch, SCAD chair of architecture and urban design. "I want our students to know the business of architecture."

Roesch, a native of Guatemala City, Guatemala, brings to SCAD a wealth of international experience, including work at Phoenix, Arizona firm Will Bruder + Partners, the Florida-based Oppenheim Architecture + Design, and most recently in London at the world-renowned Foster + Partners, where he collaborated across a vast cultural context on global projects as both architect and project manager. He is a full member of the American Institute of Architects and the Royal Institute of British Architects.

Roesch's tenure as SCAD chair has coincided with significant student accolades. In April of this year, four SCAD architecture students traveled to San Juan, Puerto Rico to attend American Institute of Architecture Students (AIAS) South Quad Conference: Ashley Joos, Alexia Lund, Markus Russell and Kennard Taylor penned an article about their experience, which appears as a multi-page feature in "Citizen Architect: A Publication of AIA Georgia" 2018 Resource Guide. That same month, SCAD students swept all six student categories in the 2018 AIA Georgia Design and Honor Awards. Roesch continues to build upon these successes.

Joaquin Roesch:

I started at SCAD the second week of October, 2017. When asked why I wanted to teach, I said: "I wish somebody had told me what I know now back when I was a student." It's that simple. I love the profession of architecture and I believe there are things that we can do to improve the profession. Among them is teaching our students project management and how to talk to clients. As chair of the department, I work with my fellow faculty to optimize our students' academic experience.

This fall, our architecture program has expanded to SCAD Atlanta. We have ten second-year graduate students taking an architectural studio class, Graduate Architecture Studio IV: Interdisciplinary Focus (ARCH 747), with professor Hsu-Jen Huang. Professor Huang has set up visits to prominent architecture firms in Atlanta so that students can gain first hand exposure at the professional level.

Professor Huang also leads our Hong Kong immersion program in architecture, which takes place winter break, before the start of winter quarter. Both undergraduate and graduate students travel to SCAD Hong Kong and visit professional architecture firms in Hong Kong. Last year that included a visit to the Hong Kong office of my former employer, Foster + Partners. They toured the firm, met with a partner, and gained professional insights beyond the classroom.

I'm currently teaching a second-year graduate studio class here in Savannah, emphasizing business principles including financial forecasting and analysis. Our graduate students take that architecture studio along with a focused elective, and develop a project around that focused elective. The elective my students are taking is Finance and Accounting for Creative Industries (SDES 507).

I relate what I've learned in 15 years of professional practice with my students. I share stories, like the instance when my firm was two weeks from a project deadline and the client said, "I want to change the shape of the building"—and how we responded. In academia we talk about context in a perfect system. Actual practice is imperfect. You can't control every variable. But you can apply the mechanics of academia to professional practice, and vice versa. Counterpoint is crucial.

Learn more about SCAD architecture here.

Read about the 2018 AIA Design in Georgia award-winning SCAD students here.

Sean Fahie's laugh—an exuberant boom—is tantamount to a worldview. When the author of new poetry collection "Chocolate Covered Honey Buns" (Over The Edge Books, 2018) and two-time SCAD alumnus (B.F.A., graphic design, 2005; M.A., illustration, 2007) lets loose, life gets brighter.

"Sean has charisma," says Vek Neal (B.F.A., illustration, 2004). "A lot of charisma." Neal, designer of "Chocolate Covered Honey Buns"' iconic book cover, has known Fahie since high school, when the pair both attended Davidson Fine Arts Magnet School in Augusta. "Going to Davidson and then SCAD conditioned Sean to explore different outlets for his creativity. You know that person who can go out into the world and speak with anyone? That's Sean. He's fluent in his artistry, and fluid with his art."

The St. Croix-born, Georgia-raised Fahie is synonymous with Atlanta's creative community. Co-host of long-running podcast "The Influencers Present," Fahie was named "Best Local Renaissance Man" by Creative Loafing in 2014. He currently works as a designer at virtual creative studio Straight To Tell.

SCAD: "Chocolate Covered Honey Buns" is an illuminated manuscript. It contains poetry and prose, and mixed media pieces that are corollaries to the writing. Why also include multiple photos of the author?

Sean Fahie: I put myself in there because it allows you to read the poems and get a feel for who the writer is at the same time. The book deals with overcoming heartbreak and moving towards your dreams. I remember the day my ex was moving out. There were boxes all around the house. Anthony Gary, the photographer who took some of the pictures in the book, called me up and said, "Sean, I know this might be hurtful but I want to come over and photograph how you're feeling right now." So, he came over and took photos, and also took photos of me sitting on the bench outside Little's Food Store in Cabbagetown. Those images are in the book.

SCAD: "You" and "I" are the recurring characters in the book. Why take that approach?

Fahie: To create a connection with the reader, so readers can imagine themselves as part of the story. I've had people say, "This poem is about your ex, huh?" And the truth is, not really. Inspiration from relationships, yes, but not directly about one person. I abstract from personal experience to make the book universal.

SCAD: The poem "I am faithful" utilizes its title as a refrain. In "Still Working" the word "working" appears four times in four lines. When did you realize repetition was an effective literary technique?

Fahie: I can't help take some of the lessons I learned as a rapper, and apply them to my writing. I remember listening to Juelz Santana's song "Dipset (Santana's Town)" and thinking, "How dare they! You can't rhyme the same word twice!" Then I realized hey, that works. Basquiat, in his paintings, wrote and repeated words and crossed them out, all in ways that make you look more closely.

SCAD: "Being Liked" is about what being Black is like. It's a sensational poem, but it's not sensationalized. Was there a moment that made you want to get those thoughts down?

Fahie: It was a culmination of what's going on in the world. The title is a double entendre. It refers to wanting to be liked, and the fact that we've been in America for so long and America just does not seem to care. And then it's also, This is what it's like, being like this.

I got my undergrad in graphic design at SCAD, but I had a strong desire to gain mastery of illustration, so I went back for my master's. I utilize my abilities to earn a living. If you look at The Most Influential Designers of All Time list online, there are barely any people of color. But I know they're out there. I want a 12-year-old version of me to look at me now and say: "You can do that? I didn't know that was a choice."

SCAD: Your book contains the epigram: "It's always been there waiting for you not to be afraid of it waiting for you." What is "it"?

Fahie: The thing you may be dreaming of, the thing you are most afraid to do, but it's waiting for you to accomplish. The "it" is universal. We all have one.

Order a copy of “Chocolate Covered Honey Buns” here, or ask for it at your local bookseller.

Author photo by @luchero.

Are you ready, Atlanta? This Sept 27-29, SCADFILM presents SCAD AnimationFest, a three-day gathering of working professionals, industry luminaries and next generation talent examining the evolving world of animation. Expand your knowledge during panel discussions, enjoy exclusive sneak peeks and screenings, and network with top talent.

The festival features over a dozen events, including a very special screening of masterfully curated Saturday morning cartoons on – you guessed it – Saturday morning. (Sept. 29, 10 a.m., SCADshow mainstage; pajamas encouraged; children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult; breakfast provided by Chick-fil-A).

AnimationFest kicks off with "The Best Saturdays of Our Lives" (11:15 am, Thurs. Sept.27, SCADshow, Stage 2), an exploration of the animated history of Saturday morning cartoons and the inner workings of the cartoon and television industries, hosted by Mark McCray, author, "The Best Saturdays of Our Lives" (iUniverse, 2015).

Spread across three days, AnimationFest screenings include Warner Bros. animated feature "Smallfoot" (just ahead of its nationwide release), Disney’s "Mulan" (presented by director Tony Bancroft), Adultswim’s hit comedy "Your Pretty Face Is Going To Hell" (appearances by co-creators Dave Willis and Casper Kelly), SCAD Animation Showcase (featuring exceptional SCAD student work) and the 20th Annual Animation Show of Shows (presenting animated shorts from around the world).  

SCAD AnimationFest is proud to feature topical and timely programming including "In the Moment: Exploring Inclusion and Diversity in Animation" (Fri. Sept. 28, 12:30 p.m., SCADshow, stage 2). The panel discussion – featuring female executives, designers and coordinators from Twentieth Century Fox Animation, TED-Ed, Sesame Workshop, and Aweseome, Inc. – will explore how cultural shifts are impacting industry hiring practices, career growth and content choices.

For ticket info and a complete listing of events, visit the SCAD AnimationFest website.

SCAD School of Digital Media

The SCAD School of Digital Media combines artistry and technology within a framework that reflects the highest standards of entertainment production. Digital media students earn degrees in animation, interactive design and game development, motion media design, television producing and visual effects, and gain the technical mastery to launch their careers. Through the production-ready SCAD Digital Media Center, state-of-the-art resources, hands-on opportunities and career-building connections, SCAD students are prepared to rise to the pinnacle of their professions.

SCAD School of Entertainment Arts

The SCAD School of Entertainment Arts incorporates a diverse array of degree programs designed to guide students as they master the art forms and industries that amuse, entertain and inspire. Cutting-edge resources and equipment in every department, coupled with an experienced, acclaimed faculty, facilitate student development in these highly relevant fields. Programs feature curricula that bolster students' creative visions while providing a sound basis in both theory and practice, creating the entertainment industry leaders of tomorrow.

Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Snapchat: From the initial interaction with a brand to customer retention, these are the places online where consumers most often connect with products and experiences. Social media is now the key driver of e-commerce, and social media professionals are the architects of this experience. They are the creative directors, content creators and community managers who orchestrate videos, photography, graphics and copywriting across digital channels to launch authentic conversations and accelerate growth.

A comprehensive social strategy is the cornerstone of success for today’s businesses and brands. SCAD social strategy and management students are prepared to capitalize on influential professional opportunities. Merging elements of advertising, branding, photography, film, television and writing, the new B.F.A. degree program, introduced fall 2018, part of the SCAD school of liberal arts, features a focused exploration of text-based communication and web-based immersive experiences. Students learn to critically analyze performance metrics to build creative approaches that foster brand allegiance, develop new markets and connect global audiences.

At the preeminent art and design university in the world, where advanced technology and a spirit of innovation infuse every campus location, SCAD students become adept in all aspects of creating compelling campaigns across platforms. Students develop a distinctive voice as they author blog posts, podcast and video scripts and marketing copy that entertains, informs and attracts organic traffic.

SCAD social strategy and management students also master account management on behalf of clients, customer service and support, campaign budgets, analytics, vendor evaluation and brand integration. They learn how to measure and optimize campaign performance, and to refine strategy and recommend improvements based on measurable results. Students coordinate online brand advocacy and cross-promotion, manage influencer relations, and chart marketing and media partnerships that monetize brand strategy across social media.

SCAD social strategy and management students customize their degree programs en route to a skillfully directed creative career through minors in advertising, branded entertainment, film and television, graphic design, marketing for mobile and interactive environments, motion media design, and writing. Learn more about the new degree program here.

It is with great excitement that SCAD announces the launch of a new B.F.A. degree program, business of beauty and fragrance (BEAU), for fall quarter 2018. This unique and innovative program of study has been created to prepare students to become the leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs who will shape the future of the beauty and fragrance industries. A unique course curriculum endows this degree program with creative content that is comprehensive and at the cutting edge of new developments in the world of beauty and fragrance.
 
The magic of beauty and fragrances powers a $445 billion industry that abounds with opportunity. Within the context of the world's preeminent art and design university, SCAD business of beauty and fragrance students will gain in-depth knowledge of aesthetics, style, cosmetics, fragrance and adornment, empowering them to find their niches in this growing global landscape. At SCAD, BEAU students will learn how to launch new products, develop packaging, engage modern consumers, maximize financial outcomes and build long-term brand equity as part of a creative team.

The first course, Beauty and Fragrance Through the Ages (BEAU 210), is currently available for student registration. BEAU 210 is scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday, 11:00 a.m.-1:30 p.m. in Morris Hall, Room 202. The course will be taught by the newest SCAD fashion marketing and management (FASM) professor, Meloney Moore, who joins SCAD from Estee Lauder with extensive professional experience in beauty and fragrance. Seats for this course are limited. Students should register at their earliest convenience.

For more information contact Daniel Green, chair of fashion marketing and management and chair of luxury and fashion management: [email protected].

What do the following books have in common?

• "The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America's Shining Women," by Kate Moore (Sourcebooks)
• "Zahav: A World of Israeli Cooking" by Michael Solomonov and Steven Cook (Rux Martin/Houghton Mifflin)
• "Pachinko," by Min Jin Lee (Grand Central Publishing)
• "Olio," by Tyehimba Jess (Wave Books)
• "Made in North Korea: Graphics from Everyday Life in the DPRK," by Nicholas Bonner (Phaidon Press)
• "Ingenious Patents," by Ben Ikenson and Jay Bennett (Black Dog & Leventhal)

The answer, of course, is that they (along with a couple dozen other diverse titles) have been assembled on a snazzy silver cart by SCAD collection strategy librarian Jackie Dunn, to demonstrate the depth and breadth of recent acquisitions by the SCAD Jen Library.

"The Jen Library houses approximately 175,000 volumes," says Dunn. "We acquired approximately 5,000 new titles in the last academic year, and will likely acquire at least as many this upcoming year.

"I select items for the library to acquire, and we have four other SCAD librarians called 'selectors.' They are primarily reference librarians who ensure we have balanced and diverse collections."

The Jen also acquires specific titles at the behest of students, faculty and staff. As Dunn emphasizes: "If you would like the library to acquire a certain book, use our 'Suggest a Purchase' form on-line. It's two easy steps. 'Suggest a Purchase' has been getting more and more activity and I hope that continues to trend upwards."

Dunn, who holds a master's degree in library science from Queens College, possesses the affable intelligence of the professional bibliophile. She also fosters kittens through Coastal Pet Rescue.

Jackie Dunn:

We don't offer an entomology degree at SCAD, so why would the library have "The Book of Beetles: A Life-Size Guide to Six Hundred of Nature's Gems" by Patrice Bouchard (University of Chicago Press)? I noticed a lot of artworks being done by students and faculty had a naturalism theme involving animals and plants, so it makes sense to have reference titles on insects and different types of animals.

The awesome thing about "The Book of Beetles" is that it is relevant to many degree programs here at SCAD: jewelry, industrial design, animation, illustration…. There is so much inspiration in this book on beetles. It's a science book that's also an art book. I could sit here and read this cover to cover. If you gave me the time.

Before acquiring a book, I ask: "Do we already have a lot of items on this particular subject?" And I check for duplication, to see if we already have the title. It's a good thing if our other locations also have copies; we try to be consistent with our holdings in Savannah, Atlanta, and Hong Kong. SCAD users in Savannah can also request a book from Atlanta and vice versa, if the title is not held at one SCAD Georgia location.

We have a number of recent titles written by SCAD faculty, including "Buildings of Savannah," by Robin B. Williams (University of Virginia Press), chair of architectural history; "Rome's Female Saints: A Poetic Pilgrimage to the Eternal City," by Nicol Nixon Augusté (WestBow Press), liberal arts professor;  "Color a love story: a color theory course companion," by Deborah Cherry Mosch (Lulu Publishing), foundations professor; and President Wallace's book "SCAD: The Architecture of a University,” by Paula Wallace, Margaret Russell and Chuck Chewning (Assouline Publishing).

We mirror what's going on at SCAD with upcoming events and exhibitions. Every year before deFINE ART, I make sure we have all the relevant titles, including exhibition catalogs.

This fall SCAD is introducing a new degree program in business of beauty and fragrance. We have acquired chemistry texts, and purchased a whole range of perfume and scent related titles. They will be on the shelf in circulation before fall quarter starts Sept. 10. When SCAD introduces a new degree program, we make sure the library holdings reflect and support that new degree program.

Some students come into the library looking for information on a particular artist or subject area. Then there are students who come in to browse, to get ideas to spark the process. Browsing is just as important as knowing what you're looking for specifically when you come in. Both are valid and valuable ways of using the library. The Jen is here for you!

Search the SCAD libraries' holdings and use on-line resources here.

Screenwriter Karen McCullah came to SCAD Atlanta to inaugurate SCADFILM Storytellers with a screening of "10 Things I Hate About You," the beloved 1999 teen film she co-wrote with Kirsten Smith. Starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Gabriele Union and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the cult classic is as well known for its exemplary cast as for its interpolation of the work of William Shakespeare.

At a talk moderated by SCADFILM senior executive director Leigh Seaman, McCullah shared insights and anecdotes from her vaunted career. In addition to "10 Things I Hate About You," McCullah penned popular films "Legally Blonde," "She's the Man" and "The Ugly Truth," and wrote comedic scenes for last year's blockbuster hit "Girls Trip." The day after the talk, McCullah led two SCAD masterclasses on the business of screenwriting. The events were presented as part of SCADFILM Storytellers, a series of special screenings, classes and discussions with top creatives in entertainment.

1. McCullah appears in "10 Things" but don't blink...
KM: "You know how Allison Janney's character Ms. Perky is writing romance novels in the guidance counselor office, and she has posters of romance novels on the walls? I'm in one of the photos on the covers of the romance novels. A guy like Fabio has me back in a dip. But it goes by so fast you can't see it."

2. The scene where Julia Stiles reads her "10 Things" poem still affects McCullah...
KM: "When she cries reading her poem in front of the class, that wasn't in the script. I cry every time I watch it knowing that she's really crying."

3. Heath Ledger suggested a key change...
KM: "The song that Patrick serenades Kat with was originally 'I Touch Myself' by The Divinyls. We thought that's what a cocky teenage boy would pick. But Heath thought, wisely, that it should be a more romantic song, and that's how it wound up being 'Can't Take My Eyes Off You.'"

4. "Legally Blonde 3" is happening...
KM: "Reese Witherspoon's always want to do it. It was a matter of getting all the elements lined up with the studio. Last year she spent a whole day on Snapchat putting all her costumes on from the first movie. That's when I thought, Oh, this is getting done."

5. McCullah puts something of herself in her protagonists...
KM: "There are pieces of myself in most of my main female characters. Like Elle Woods I don't take a lot of crap from people, I carry my small dog in a purse, I'm blonde, and I was in a sorority. Like Katherine Heigl in 'The Ugly Truth' I can be a bit of a control freak. Like 'The House Bunny,' I can be super dumb sometimes, although she was also optimistic and good-hearted."

6. McCullah believes in giving characters goals...
KM: "Characters pop into my head, what they're like and what they say. It's like giving birth to a person in your brain. Once I have a clear idea of what the premise is and who the character is, I sit down and start writing longhand as fast as I can: sketching out scene ideas, potential lines, where I want it to go, then I organize that all into an outline. You have to know the goal of the character, where they're going to end up."

7. Marketing matters...
KM: "Studio marketing can make or break a movie. If a movie is marketed poorly, no one will see it even if it's the best movie in the world. 'Legally Blonde' was massively marketed. They got Regis to go blonde for a week, they created National Blonde Week, it was crazy! 'Girls Trip,' everyone in the world knew that movie was coming out, they did a great job."

8. On meeting writing partner Kirsten Smith...
KM: "She had a job as a script-reader at a small production company. She read a few of my scripts and called me and told me she liked them. We started writing a script on cocktail napkins that night."

9. Adapting someone else's story can be fun...
KM: "If I'm hired to adapt something that's solid story-structure wise that's always a joy. I highlight all the parts that I think will work for the movie and try to organize that with the new stuff that I have to blend in. Things get changed, like at the end of 'Legally Blonde,' which was based on an unpublished manuscript, she ended up with the professor. I was like nope, she's getting with the hot boy."

10. McCullah admires SCAD...
KM: "SCAD has very small classes compared the university I went to. The classes are interactive which is valuable. They can feel more like a conversation than a lecture. SCAD gets people jobs, which is why we're here."

SCAD festivities continued across the globe with the joyous 2018 SCAD Hong Kong commencement, a week following the Savannah and Atlanta editions. The sun shone for the celebration, held in the glimmering Diamond Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong on June 9.

SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace opened the ceremony touting the class of 2018's achievements: "Thank you for contributing your infinite gifts to SCAD. To earn this moment, you have had to call on your whole being—hand, head and heart—and we are so very proud of you!"

SCAD Hong Kong graduates, majoring in disciplines including animation, motion media design and fashion, study in the former North Kowloon Magistracy building in the dynamic Sham Shui Po district. Revitalized by SCAD to include technology amenities like digital labs and a green screen studio, the building welcomes students and visitors with vibrant art, created by students, faculty and alumni.

The 2018 SCAD Hong Kong commencement ceremony suffused students, friends and family with delight.

Here are five highlights from the festivities:

1. SCAD alumna Nikki Louise Palomaria (B.F.A., graphic design, 2015):

"During your studies, you’ve been surrounded by some of the most incredible people you’re going to meet. And as you continue from this point forward, you still have them. Stay in touch, show each other your work, make use of the SCAD family network to enrich your professional and personal life, to keep you creating and craving new knowledge and experience."

2. Valedictorian Michelle Claase (B.F.A., painting, 2018):

"At SCAD, I explored newfound interests in film and took a screenwriting class, opening up something inside me that I didn't know existed. It led me to minor in film and television and changed the course of my future."

3. Excelsus Laureate Jonathan Lau (B.F.A., photography, 2012; M.A., photography, 2018):

"As a child, I visited the North Kowloon Magistracy Building on a school field trip. When I returned years later as a SCAD student I felt a sense of déjà vu as the wood paneling and large podium in the main courtroom had transformed into SCAD Hong Kong. The regional emblem of Hong Kong remained, but the building has become a celebration of art, a place where my old and new stories meet."

4. SCAD Hong Kong vice president David Pugh, awarding SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Arts and Sciences to William Lim, founder and managing director of CL3 Architects Ltd.:

"His eye for the extraordinary permeates the objects he acquires for his pleasure, and the art he creates for ours."

5. Wen Zhou, CEO, 3.1 Phillip Lim, SCAD Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters recipient:

"I am so impressed that 100% of SCAD Hong Kong graduates are employed or seeking higher education within the first ten months of graduation. As you seek your first job, on your first interview, ask not only about salary, benefits, and technicalities, but think about the company’s values and culture. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You are our next generation of thinkers, of leaders. It is my honor and privilege to welcome you with open arms."

Friends, family, and fans of the SCAD Atlanta Class of 2018 convened at the Georgia World Congress Center on Saturday, June 2 for the university's commencement ceremony. Along with a global audience following online, they watched as each of the graduates filed across a stage that glowed under a backdrop created by SCAD alumna Lauren Clay (B.F.A., painting, 2004).

SCAD also presented an honorary doctorate of humane letters to Juliet Blake, head of TV and curator of special projects at TED, and later presented the same honor to Oprah Winfrey, media and performing arts magnate.

Diplomas in hand, graduates returned to their seats for the conferment of degrees and a final, joyous expression to mark their initiation as SCAD alumni.

The Bees, the dynamo SCAD student vocal ensemble, took to the stage with an emotional cover of "Stand By Me." As video screens overhead played congratulatory messages from luminous honorees and guests at the year's signature events, performers from the SCAD Drumline, the SCAD Performance Ensemble and iLuminate LED dancers entered the arena.

As performers belted out "Come Alive" from "The Greatest Showman," graduates rose from their seats and waved colorful LED light sticks with abandon. The moment punctuated an afternoon elevated by the remarks of speakers including outstanding graduates, honorary degree recipients, and an accomplished SCAD alumnus.

1. SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace:
"I imagined SCAD would be a new kind of higher education — with the audacity to put the words ‘professional careers' in our SCAD mission statement! … At SCAD, we teach our fashion students to design the clothes they want to wear, and we teach developers to design the game they want to play. And so I set out to create the kind of arts university that I wished I had attended."

2. Juliet Blake, honorary degree recipient:
"Stay connected. In the words of another TED Speaker, the brilliant Brene Brown: ‘Connection is why we are all here, it's what gives purpose and meaning to our lives.' This community extends well past commencement, and you still have a lot to share with each other."

3. Valedictorian Alexis Houpt (B.F.A., fashion, 2018):
"We've worked hard to arrive at this stage, ready to take the next leap in our careers. I, for one, know that when I was stretched to my limit this past fall, this day felt so far away. And yet, that's exactly when I interviewed and landed a position I'd dreamed of. The high expectations we set for ourselves — and were held to by our classmates, professors, and advisors — that's what led us to SCAD."

4. Excelsus Laureate Alexandra Badiu (M.F.A., illustration, 2018):
"The collaborative nature of these CLC projects resulted in friendships and partnerships that led me to more enjoyable work — creating backgrounds for senior films, working as a multimedia editor of SCAD Connector and SCAN magazine. The cover illustration I made for SCAN's 2017 spring issue won first place in Columbia Scholastic Press Gold Circle Awards, but to see the excitement in the eyes of my peers when they saw the cover, and feel the way we empower each other through our art was the best reward."

5. SCAD alumnus José Reyes (B.F.A., graphic design, 1995), founder, principal and creative director, Metaleap Creative:
"Your friends, siblings, parents, your elementary and high school art teachers — these people believed in you before you took your first drawing class. Take a moment to remember the people in this room and in your life who spoke into that decision. Remember all the ‘well dones' you heard from them, because each kind word was a step toward this moment."