The SCAD Savannah Class of 2018, the largest in the university's history, convened at the Savannah Civic Center for dual commencement celebrations on the morning and afternoon of Friday, June 1.

"You're sitting here today because you had a dream, and you chose to pursue it," said Hilary Swank, SCAD honorary degree recipient. The two-time Oscar-winning actor, producer and fashion entrepreneur spoke of the extensive preparation behind her career success and commended graduates on their achievements.

"You worked incredibly hard, applied your unique creativity to everything you touched, and did not stop until you crossed the finish line. So congratulations on successfully graduating from such a prestigious university. Given the elite education offered by this university, you couldn't have done a better job positioning yourself for whatever your next step in life may be."

After degrees were conferred, all formalities were dispensed with and the jubilation flowed forth in earnest with a musical medley led by the dynamo SCAD performance ensemble, The Bees. Once the confetti cannons erupted in a final exclamation, the Class of 2018 processed from the auditorium to the sun-lit streets of Savannah as SCAD alumni, carrying with them the words of the illustrious commencement speakers:

1. SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace:
"Today, you are actors, architects, animators, designers, writers, filmmakers. And yet one day, as your dream unfurls like a proud banner across your life, you will find yourself playing surprising new roles: You will become parents, creative directors, studio founders, company presidents. What some call wishful thinking in you today will be hailed as fearlessness in the years to come."

2. SCAD alumnus An Le (B.F.A., photography, 2012), owner An Le Studio:
"The people who sit next to you, the friendships that you've made here at SCAD, and the valuable skills your professors have taught you will be all you need to succeed and achieve your dreams. I believe, as artists, we can make something out of nothing, create the extraordinary out of the ordinary. We can turn blank canvases into beautiful paintings, rolls of fabric into stunning creations."

3. Valedictorian Nicolas Barrera Castañeda (B.F.A., architecture, 2018):
"I know you'd all agree — reaching this stage has taken a tremendous amount of work, years of diligent effort. And now, as we move to the next stage of our SCAD careers — as graduates — I know that my first impressions of SCAD were spot on. This university is exactly what I sought."

4. Excelsus Laureate Shannon Vanderhill (M.F.A., design management, 2018; M.A., jewelry, 2018):
"My passion for jewelry led me here, to the nation's largest jewelry program, with its amazing studios and thoughtful faculty, where we create works of design and art that interact with people — as experiential, conversational, and sometimes sentimental objects. And SCAD led me to my work today. I found my stride as a designer in another program that matched my interests perfectly. In design management, I worked to research, synthesize and communicate insights — to facilitate conversations, experiences, and the design process from end-to-end."

5. SCAD alumnus Deron Bennett (B.F.A., sequential art, 2002), owner AndWorld Design:
"SCAD has prepared you in more ways than you know. It's because of my professors' and classmates' critiques that I can distinguish between design that works, and design that needs more work. Today, know that you chose the right path. After you walk across this stage and through those doors, more doors of opportunity await you. SCAD has given you the keys, and you have to open them."

With over 2600 students across campuses in Atlanta and Savannah, Georgia and Hong Kong, the 2018 SCAD graduating class comprises the largest ever in university history. In celebration of this epic commencement, keynote addresses in Savannah, Atlanta and Hong Kong will be delivered by vaunted guests Hilary Swank, Danai Gurira and Wen Zhou, respectively.

SCAD Savannah commencement events will be held Friday, June 1 and Saturday, June 2, 2018 at Savannah Civic Center. Hilary Swank will deliver the commencement address. Actor, film producer, and fashion designer, Swank is two-time Oscar-winner actor for her roles in films "Boys Don't Cry" and "Million Dollar Baby." She starred in the 2014 film "The Homesman" which screened at that year's SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Swank is the founder of the luxe leisure wear line Mission Statement, and founded The Hilaroo Foundation to "bring youth, who have been given up on, and animals, who have been abandoned, together to help heal." Swank has recently starred as Gail Getty in the first season of FX's anthology series "Trust."

SCAD Atlanta welcomes actor and playwright Danai Gurira to speak at its commencement event, Saturday, June 2, 3 p.m. at Georgia World Congress Center. Danai Gurira is renowned for her role as Okoye in "Black Panther" and "Avengers: Infinity War" and as Michonne on AMC's "The Walking Dead." She is the writer of the Tony Award-winning play "Eclipsed" and Obie winner "In the Continuum." Gurira and "Black Panther" co-star Lupita Nyong'o are currently adapting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie's novel "Americanah" into a TV miniseries.

SCAD Hong Kong welcomes fashion leader Wen Zhou as commencement speaker for its commencement ceremony Saturday, June 9, 2018, 12 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. Wen Zhou is CEO of chic womenswear line 3.1 Phillip Lim. A native of Ningbo, China, Zhou spent her adolescence in New York City and began her entrepreneurial pursuits at age 21 with a textile-selling business. She is renowned for her expertise in fabric sourcing, production management. In fall 2005, Zhou and Lim launched 3.1 Phillip Lim. Within four years, Zhou built 3.1 Phillip Lim into a global brand with annual revenues exceeding $42 million.

The SCAD Class of 2018 joins an elite alumni network of more than 40,000 professionals working around the world. SCAD offers degrees in more than 40 majors, as well as minors in more than 75 disciplines across its locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia; in Hong Kong; in Lacoste, France; and online through SCAD eLearning. SCAD demonstrates an exceptional education and unparalleled career preparation. The diverse student body comes from across the U.S. and more than 100 countries worldwide. Each SCAD student is nurtured and motivated by a faculty of nearly 700 professors with extraordinary academic credentials and valuable professional experience.

It’s the mostly hotly anticipated annual event of the SCAD School of Fashion, and it’s today!

Experience the SCAD Savannah Runway Show, a juried celebration of fashion featuring premier SCAD School of Fashion senior and graduate student collections, taking place Friday, May 18, 2018, at Trustees Theater in Savannah, with shows at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST.

Tickets for the SCAD Savannah Runway Show are sold out. Watch the 7 p.m. show live at scad.edu/fashwknd.

Following the shows, guests will have the opportunity to purchase select garments and accessories created by SCAD students and alumni.

This event is presented as part of SCAD FASHWKND, the university's most anticipated sartorial happening of the year, held in Atlanta and Savannah.

Friday, May 11, 2018, Tybee Island: Be there or be chagrined to miss the sunniest SCAD signature event of the season. Presented by the School of Foundation Studies, Sand Arts Festival will, for the second consecutive year, be held on South Beach, adjacent to the historic Tybee Island Pier and Pavilion.

Eminent alumnus Abel Macias (B.F.A., illustration, 2002) will construct a unique, site-specific edifice near the pier, as well as mentoring and judging the estimated 200 entrants in this year's festival competition. Concurrently, Macias's paintings are being shown at SCAD Museum of Art in his solo show "All at Once in Every Place." Get primed the day before Sand Arts, when Macias gives a gallery talk at the SCAD MOA Emerging Artists Gallery.



Make the most of Sand Arts 2018 with these tips:

1. Check-in for competitors begins at 9:30 a.m. Competition starts at 10 a.m. Entrants must check in to receive an assigned space on the beach. Any work started before 10 a.m. or in an unassigned space may be disqualified.
2. Do not bring dogs. Do not walk on dunes. Do have a good time.
3. Free shuttles will run to and from Tybee Island all day. More information on getting there, here.
4. Pack your sunscreen, water, chic chapeau and any additional beach-centric implements you may need.
5. Honor nature and the coastal Georgia community by signing up with SCAD Serve to clean and level the sand at Tybee Island after Sand Arts. All volunteers will be given pizza and transportation back to the Student Center at 6 p.m. To sign up, visit SCAD Serve.

The Savannah College of Art and Design is pleased to announce that the university has received a grant from the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation (WJSFF) in support of the SCAD Rising Star initiative. The grant will provide scholarships for students participating in the five-week summer program, which awards college credit to rising high school seniors in pursuit of creative careers. SCAD Rising Star offers an unparalleled academic experience at the university’s global locations in Savannah and Atlanta, Georgia, Hong Kong, and through the award-winning SCAD eLearning program.

“Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are generous philanthropists and radiant entertainers,” says SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. “Thank you, Will and Jada, for helping young storytellers ignite their careers at SCAD, a global university at the heart of Georgia’s preeminent creative professions. Together, WJSFF and SCAD transform lives through star power at its brightest!”

The gift is part of a collaborative effort among SCAD and WJSFF to identify, educate and support talented youth entering, during and beyond their school years. Rising Star students enroll in two of SCAD’s accredited degree program courses, including top-ranked programs such as film & television, architecture, interior design, fashion, and advertising, for access to professional-caliber resources and one-on-one guidance from renowned faculty. Scholarship recipients will also be enrolled into WJSFF’s Careers in Entertainment (CIE) Network, giving them additional access and guidance to build and enhance their portfolios.

“Broadening the scope of the entertainment industry is central to the vision of our founders, and begins with providing access to today’s creative youth,” said WJSFF President Jana Babatunde-Bey. “Through our work with SCAD, we will give more emerging storytellers a pathway to a globally-minded, innovative arts education, allowing them to use their gifts to create a more inclusive entertainment industry and society.”

Since 1996, the Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation has invested millions of dollars to accelerate the growth of initiatives that focus on deepening individual and collective empowerment. Through impactful giving, WJSFF provides funds to organizations and ventures in support of their meaningful and lasting impact in the areas of arts education, social empowerment and environmental sustainability. In 2016, the foundation launched CIE, a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to transform the industry by building a diverse and inclusive pipeline of young talent. CIE enrolls high school and college students into WJSFF’s network and helps them achieve their career goals through access to industry leaders, mentors and internship opportunities across the nation.

This partnership spotlights the tremendous impact of SCAD entertainment arts degree programs in Georgia’s flourishing television and film industry. SCAD has graduated nearly 12,000 alumni from programs related to film, television and the entertainment arts. The university’s unique project-based curriculum prepares students for professional workplaces, and 2,800 alumni already work in Georgia's entertainment industry at prestigious companies, including Turner, CNN, Adult Swim, Cartoon Network, Georgia Public Broadcasting and more.

With nearly one million square feet dedicated to the production of film, television and digital entertainment, SCAD offers leading-edge technology and studio resources for SCAD students, as well as professional production companies and corporations. SCAD is also home to the only full-time, in-house university casting office in the nation. The SCAD Casting Office has placed more than 250 roles to date for productions by Netflix, HBO and Hulu, among others.

To apply to SCAD Rising Star, visit the Rising Star application page. The scholarship deadline for Summer 2018 is May 1, 2018.

The Will & Jada Smith Family Foundation (WJSFF) is a non-profit organization that sits at the convergence of philanthropy, media and social impact. We are an incubator and accelerator that ignites the next generation of big ideas, cutting-edge artists, thought leaders, change-makers and social innovators. Together with grantees and partners, we invest in organizations and initiatives that empower traditionally overlooked communities and affect real change.

Voting is now open for Savannah Morning News' annual "Best of the Best" awards. SCAD has been nominated as "Best College" while the SCAD Museum of Art is in the running for "Best Museum." You are invited to vote for SCAD in these categories, by visiting Savannah Now.

Choose a category, click the vote button next to your favorite and you'll be asked for your email address. Fill in the registration form and you can vote for your favorites in each category once a day until March 15, 2018!

"The University for Creative Careers," SCAD is a place where career preparation is woven into every fiber of the university. Each SCAD student is assigned a career advisor to help establish goals, develop a distinctive resume and portfolio, rehearse for interviews and presentations and build a professional network.

Prestigious national and international companies conduct more than 600 visits to recruit SCAD students and alumni. According to a recent study, 98 percent of Spring 2016 graduates were employed, pursuing further education or both within 10 months of graduation.

SCAD enlivens the Savannah community with annual events including the SCAD Savannah Film Festival, Sidewalk Arts Festival in Forsyth Park, and SCAD Sand Arts Festival on Tybee Island. The Savannah Women of Vision investiture celebrates an elite cadre of trailblazers whose remarkable ideas, insightful leadership and distinguished service have sculpted the city of Savannah.

The SCAD Museum of Art is a premier contemporary art museum established to enrich the education of SCAD students and to attract and delight visitors from around the world. Introducing new exhibitions every academic quarter, the museum showcases work by a range of highly acclaimed professional artists, inspiring and challenging students across disciplines to push the boundaries of their creative practice.

Discover additional alumni success stories at SCAD career resources.

Voting remains open until March, 15 at 11:59pm EST.

Winners will be announced at a Savannah Now "Best of the Best" event on April 26, 2018.

On Friday, Feb. 9, 2018, SCAD reprised the Savannah Women of Vision investiture. A full house gathered in the Arnold Hall theater to pay tribute to the honorees named by SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace. It was a moment for reflection upon the realization of her vision.

In 2006, President Wallace walked into the theater of the 1920-Georgian Revival now known as Arnold Hall, once Chatham County's first public junior high school. The proscenium arch bore a New Deal-era mural depicting bellwethers of Georgia history. She discerned a Yamacraw Indian chief, a governor of Georgia, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, the father of Methodism, the founder of the colony of Georgia, and a handful of Revolutionary War generals under a patina of neglect. Immediately, she noticed that preservation was in order. (Luckily, SCAD specializes in old buildings. This particular restoration earned SCAD awards from the Historic Savannah Foundation and the Georgia Trust.) And she noticed a significant elision. The mural, funded by the Civil Works Administration and the National Recovery Administration, excluded women. In 2016, President Wallace launched the Savannah Women of Vision to right the record. 

This year, President Wallace added five honorees to the ten inaugural Savannah Women of Vision. Plaques bearing their names greet visitors at the entrance to the Arnold Hall theater. To the left is a large ship's wheel anchored by a quote by Diane Mariechild: "A woman is the full circle. Within her is the power to create, nurture and transform." Golden bas-relief portraits, hand carved by SCAD alumnus Michael Porten (M.F.A., painting, 2012; B.F.A., illustration, 2004) flank the interior walls of the theater. In the spirit of inquiry proper to the liberal arts housed in Arnold Hall, the new art converses with the old. Juxtaposition encourages synthesis.

The timing of the ceremony coincided with an important cultural epoch. For a bright hour on a rainy Friday, women lifted their voices:

Artist and gallerist Tiffani Taylor (M.F.A., painting; M.A., art history, 2003; B.F.A., painting, 2002) welcomed guests and detailed President Wallace's history of empowerment. The SCAD Presidential Scholarship brought Taylor to the university as a freshman, and the Alumni Atelier residency embraced her as a graduate. Today, she endows a namesake SCAD scholarship.

One of the university's first dramatic writing majors, Allison Hirsch (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2014; B.F.A., dramatic writing, 2010), put her narrative gift to good use in limning the irrepressible Miriam Center, an acclaimed author, playwright, and advocate for women.

A career in community and economic development ushered Ebony Simpson (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2002) into the orbit of former Mayor Edna Jackson. Simpson offered personal insights into the life of the city's first African-American mayor, citing Jackson's civil rights legacy and consummate statesmanship.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation's Sehila Mota Casper (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2014) recognized a kindred spirit and leading light in the late preservationist Mary Lane Morrison. Through meticulous written and photographic documentation, Morrison curated a portrait of Savannah and the city's architects for posterity.

Current SCAD Alumni Atelier ambassador and playwright A'ndrea Wilson (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2017) vividly recalled the poignant film that etched actress Fredericka Washington into the cultural consciousness: "Imitation of life." Unlike the character Peola, Washington embraced her identity and advocated for civil rights.

Southern Living associate editor and tastemaker Hannah Hayes (M.A., arts administration, 2013) earned a big laugh by quoting critic Craig Claiborne, who ranked beloved restaurateur Sema Wilkes' biscuits among the greatest occurrences of his life. Today, Mrs. Wilkes Dining Room is synonymous with the finest in home-cooked, family-style fare.

Noted philanthropist and 2016 Savannah Woman of Vision Alice Jepson graciously delivered closing remarks, acknowledging honorees past and present. As she spoke each name, a shaft of light illumined the respective likeness.

The celebration culminated with a powerful rendition of "I'm Here," by "American Idol" Season 12 winner Candice Glover (B.F.A., performing arts) and Sandie Lee (M.F.A., performing arts; B.F.A., performing arts, 2015) that brought the audience to their feet. Everyone agreed the Women of Vision were fully present, fully represented.

This Friday, Feb., 9, 5:30 p.m. at historic Arnold Hall, SCAD president and founder Paula Wallace will present the 2018 Savannah Women of Vision investiture, honoring women of peerless valor, altruism and intellect who have shaped the great city of Savannah. All members of the university and Savannah community are invited to attend.

At a ceremony suffused with oratory, music and art, each honoree will be extolled in permanent tribute with an individual relief portrait carved beforehand by SCAD alumnus Michael Porten (B.F.A. illustration, M.F.A. painting). The portraits will adorn the walls of Arnold Hall, home of the SCAD School of Liberal Arts.

The 2018 Savannah Women of Vision honorees are:

• Miriam Center
• Edna Jackson
• Mary Lane Morrison
• Fredericka Washington
• Sema Wilkes

These women represented a range of civic, educational, philanthropic, and creative endeavors. They are all trailblazing contributors to the legacy of Savannah.

Friday’s event is the second annual Savannah Women of Vision investiture. This year’s honorees join previous honorees Emma Morel Adler, Mother Mathilda Beasley, Mary Musgrove Matthews Bosomworth, Alice Andrews Jepson, Nancy N. Lewis, Juliette Gordon Low, Abigail Minis, Flannery O'Connor, Chief Justice Leah Ward Sears and Frances Wong.

The genesis of Wallace’s Savannah Women of Vision initiative can be traced to the Works Progress Administration’s 1930s mural in the Arnold Hall Theater. The mural, a visual ode to the titans of Savannah’s history, is notable in its omission of women. Wallace created the Savannah Women of Vision to elevate an underrepresented yet tremendously influential demographic.

By symbolically righting the historical record, President Wallace honors paragons of civic virtue to whom students can look for inspiration. The university offers tours of the Savannah Women of Vision portrait installation in Arnold Hall to K-12 students and educators. A free curriculum guide provides historic context to the portrait installation.

“Savannah as we know it rests on the triumphs of its women,” remarked President Wallace. “I created the Savannah Women of Vision at SCAD to illuminate trailblazers and their transcendent work, keeping their names and deeds not only in our hearts, but publicly acclaimed. These are our heroines.”

The following SCAD alumnae will speak during the ceremony: Tiffani Taylor (M.A., art history, 2003; B.F.A., painting, 2002); Allison Hirsch (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2014; B.F.A., dramatic writing, 2010); Ebony Simpson (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2002); Sehila Mota Casper (M.F.A., historic preservation, 2014); A'ndrea Wilson (M.F.A., dramatic writing, 2017); Hannah Hayes (M.A., arts administration, 2013). Closing remarks will be delivered by Alice Jepson, Savannah Woman of Vision. A musical performances by Sandie Lee (M.F.A., performing arts; B.F.A., performing arts, 2015) and American Idol winner Candice Glover (B.F.A., performing arts) will elevate the celebration on a rousing note.

SCAD invites the public to join the celebration for this free event.

Savannah College of Art and Design won top honors at Walt Disney Imagineering's 27th Imaginations Design Competition. Started in 1991 by Disney Legend and Imagineering executive, the late Marty Sklar, the creative competition nurtures the next generation of diverse Imagineers. Out of more than 270 qualified project submissions, SCAD teams won the two top prizes.

Teams were challenged to select an actual abandoned "ghost town" from anywhere in the world and revitalize it. Entries had to consider the historic value, as well as have respect for the traditions and communities of the original and surrounding areas of the location.

First place was awarded to SCAD students Carlos Ginatta (M.F.A., themed entertainment design, M.Arch., 2008, B.F.A., architecture, 2007), Michael Howell (M.F.A., themed entertainment design), Maria Mondloch (M.F.A., themed entertainment design) and Maya Vyas (M.F.A., animation) for "Caguaya." Built around the sunken ruins of the 17th century city of Port Royal, the exploration center takes guests below the waves to discover the city's vibrant history. At "Caguaya" guests explore the city through state-of-the-art tunnels never before used in open water, get a closer look with augmented reality-enhanced helmet dives, and help plant scientifically engineered super coral. To finish their visit, guests experience a live performance from a fully submersible theatre that transcends land and sea.

Second place went to SCAD students Cameron Hoss (B.F.A., industrial design), Corrie Pickering (B.F.A., production design), Claire Puginier (B.F.A., industrial design, graphic design minor) and Emily Sasaki (B.F.A., animation) for "Spaceport Hashima." Located off the coast of Japan, "Spaceport Hashima" is an epicenter of traditional and Japanese culture. Created by renovating existing buildings of a former Japanese ghost town, "Hashima" is a thriving interplanetary terminal surrounded by a luxury destination resort, featuring museums, restaurants, and lively nightlife, as well as research and development facilities.

Six teams of finalists received an all-expense-paid trip to Walt Disney Imagineering in California, January 22-26, to meet and network with Imagineers, go behind-the-scenes to see how Disney magic is created, and interview for paid internships during their visit.

Projects were judged on mastery of skills and talents, guest experience, diversity and market perspective, uniqueness, adherence to project challenge, and team collaboration. The judges were looking for the ability to recognize the cultural nuances of the selected location, expanding the boundaries of what currently exists, and an evaluation of business implications and impact on the community.

Judges examined the teams' ability to tell a compelling and engaging story, broad appeal to a wide audience, and a knowledge and passion for Walt Disney Imagineering, where Imagineers blend storytelling with the latest technologies to create immersive experiences that delight families at Walt Disney Parks and Resorts all around the world.

Throughout the years, SCAD students participating in this competition have had the opportunity to present their projects to Imagineering executives. SCAD students have become interns and fulfilled their dreams of working alongside Imagineers, including becoming full-time Imagineers themselves.

The top placed team is awarded a cash prize of $1,000, and an additional $1,000 grant is awarded to the sponsoring university.

Congratulations to our Bees for their hard work and deserved success!

As we prepare to bid adieu to 2017, we look back at the past 12 months at SCAD and all the memorable moments we shared. Here is an exemplary selection from the year gone by: the SCAD 17 of '17.

1. SCAD GamingFest premieres in Atlanta: In November, SCAD Atlanta hosted the first ever SCAD GamingFest, a two-day convocation examining the evolving world of game design and development, including appearances by experts from EA SPORTS, Ubisoft, Cartoon Network, Google Daydream Labs and Georgia Game Developers Association.

2. SCAD FASHWKND makes runway splash: The inaugural SCAD FASHWKND in May presented four days of original designs curated from the finest SCAD School of Fashion senior and graduate student collections. A runway show at SCAD Savannah and tableaux vivants at SCAD Atlanta offered glimpses into the fashionable future here and now.

3. SCAD art curation adorns new stadium: SCAD partnered with Mercedes-Benz Stadium, new home of Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United FC, to curate all art for the stadium, featuring more than 200 works by 55 artists including 20 SCAD affiliates. Each game day, the curatorial selections of SCAD enhance the experience of the 71,000 fans in attendance.

4. Symposium for Jacob Lawrence: Amidst "Lines of Influence," the ongoing SCADMOA group exhibition celebrating the centennial of the birth of the acclaimed painter and chronicler of the African American experience, a two-day symposium of lectures, performances, screenings and panel discussions brought together scholars, artists, alumni and students to commemorate Lawrence's life and legacy.

5. Melissa Spitz named TIME's Instagram Photographer of the Year: Alumna Melissa Spitz's (M.F.A. photography, 2014) documentary photo series "You Have Nothing to Worry About" received the TIME accolade. Spitz's work will feature in an upcoming exhibition at the SCAD Museum of Art, opening January 2018.

6. DesignIntelligence recognizes SCAD interior design programs: The university's interior design undergraduate and graduate programs got the esteem treatment from DesignIntelligence, receiving the No. 1 ranking on the list of "America's Best Architecture & Design Schools 2018." Since 2008, SCAD interior design undergraduate and graduate programs have each garnered No. 1 standing six times by DesignIntelligence, the rankings body of the Design Futures Council.

7. Anna Haldewang receives European Product Design Awards: SCAD industrial design student Anna Haldewang's  (B.F.A. industrial design, 2017) project "Renascence" was named Discovery of the Year, the organization's highest honor, as well as capturing the gold medal in the transportation category. "Renascence," a cutting-edge design of a 300-foot trimaran yacht, follows Haldewang's "Plan Bee" drone project in earning the alumna international exposure.

8. Design for Social Impact recognizes Edgar Espejo: Inspired by his experiences with a deaf classmate, Edgar Espejo (B.F.A, industrial design, 2016; B.F.A., service design, 2016) created a service that allows deaf students to participate in regular classes with hearing students. Espejo's supporting service Muhimu (which means vital in Swahili) was recognized by the Core77 Design Awards as student winner in the Design for Social Impact category.

9. SCAD shines at YMA Awards: At the 2017 Young Menswear Association (YMA) Awards, 20 SCAD fashion and fashion marketing and management students each won $5,000 Fashion Scholarship Fund Awards, marking the most awards by a single university in the history of the competition.

10. SCAD alumni permeate Academy Awards: At the 89th Academy Awards, 47 SCAD alumni and students were recognized for their work on 11 of the year's best films, including best picture winner "Moonlight." SCAD alumni contributed to nominees for best picture, animated feature film, cinematography, costume design, directing, film editing, production design, sound editing, visual effects, and adapted screenplay. Eleven alumni contributed to more than one Oscar-nominated film.

11. SCAD Student Media earn top honors: At the 2017 Society for Collegiate Journalists National Contest, SCAD Atlanta's student magazine SCAN claimed first and second place in the Outstanding General Interest Magazine category. SCAD Atlanta Radio staff won first place in Internet Radio and Broadcast Overall Excellence for the second consecutive year.

12. Olivia Ray puts pedals to the medal: In a record setting year for SCAD Athletics at the state and national level, excellence was epitomized SCAD cyclist Olivia Ray, who won two national titles in track cycling at the meet in Indianapolis in September.

13. "SCAD: Architecture of a University" edifies readership: Assouline Publishing released the 360-page volume by contributing authors Paula Wallace, Margaret Russell and Chuck Chewning, highlighting the university's most inspired and inspiring spaces. Replete with 40 detailed narratives and 200 sublime photographs, the book leads readers from the university's flagship building Poetter Hall, to the panoply of SCAD architectural marvels around Savannah, and in Atlanta, Hong Kong and Lacoste.

14. SCAD Savannah Film Festival celebrates 20th anniversary: More than 50,000 film fans and industry insiders converged on Savannah for an unforgettable film festival featuring over 140 screenings amidst honorees Salma Hayek Pinault, John Boyega, Zoey Deutch, Richard Gere, Sir Patrick Stewart, Holly Hunter, Robert Pattinson, Willow Shields, Kyra Sedgwick, Aaron Sorkin and Andrea Riseborough.

15. Carlos Cruz-Diez has love, will travel: First at SCADMOA, then SCAD AT MIAMI, "Chroma," an exhibition by deFINE ART honoree Carlos Cruz-Diez, transported gallery-goers with its groundbreaking color theory in action. Designed as site-specific, "Chroma" proved as at home in Miami Beach as it was in Savannah. Bravo, maestro.

16. SCAD keeps student safe during major storm: With the September arrival of Hurricane Irma imminent, SCAD relocated more than 600 students and faculty from Savannah to its Atlanta campus. Students were given special tours of SCAD FASH Museum of Fashion + Film and attended workshops taught by industry-leading SCAD faculty, who join the university from Dreamworks, Random House, Spanx, Alexander McQueen and Walt Disney Animation.

17. SCADfit opens inside the Hive: The university's emphasis health and wellness gained added traction with the opening of its new Savannah gym, SCADfit. The 12,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility, located within the Hive residence complex, offers fitness classes including ballet, Pilates and Zumba, and IC7 Indoor Cycles and Ciclotte monowheels. Sweat necessary, results guaranteed.

Thank you, dear SCADworks readers. See you in 2018!