OUR DONORS

Having support of our donors allows us to enhance our program in meaningful ways — through scholarships, through faculty support, through guest speakers, and more — their generosity helps make our program better.

We couldn't do it without them!

David Power

The Power Agency

The Power Agency was the first donor and continues to be the most generous supporter of the Graphic Design BFA program at the Hite Art Institute. In 2000, under the leadership of Mike Power, the agency funded our first computer lab. Since 2008, the Power Agency has made a significant financial contribution to help underwrite the Power Agency Designer-in-Residence faculty position. David Power took over leadership of the agency when his father faced health issues and has continued to be a loyal supporter.

On July 24, 2021, David Power died of pancreatic cancer. He will be missed by the Hite Art Institute for his support of our program in many ways beyond financial contributions.

Michael L. Power

Michael L. Power Endowment

Michael L. Power stepped up to the plate in 2000, funding a the first computer lab for the graphic design program. After Mike died in 2015, he left a legacy gift to the Hite Art Institute. His endowment provides funding for three separate things:

The Michael L. Power Scholarship in Graphic Design. Mike was able to earn his degree in graphic design from the University of Louisville through scholarship support from the Hite Art Institute. His gratitude for the scholarship that assisted him is a gift he wished to pass on. The recipient, nominated by the program’s faculty, embodies Mike’s work ethic, entrepreneurial spirit, and appreciation of educational opportunities.
Power Visiting Designer Lecture—a biennial event that brings in a national / international level designer or design leader to give a presentation on important issues in contemporary graphic design.
Power Award for the Outstanding Senior in Graphic Design.

Daniel Stewart

In 2016, the Daniel Stewart Scholarship in Design was started when Dan's wife Kate Stewart proposed this scholarship gift a birthday present for Dan to honor his role as a designer leader in the Louisville community. The scholarships awarded from that gift is awarded based on attributes demonstrated by Dan throughout his design career, including "an insatiable thirst for knowledge, a willingness to take risks, a dedication to 'design that thinks,' and a commitment to the highest standards in their work."

Dan Stewart

Craig Welch,

Welch Printing

Established in 2006, the Welch Printing Scholarship is awarded to a distinguished student in the Graphic Design program nominated by the program’s faculty and based on merit demonstrated through:

creative solutions to graphic design assignments;
strong execution and craft;
commitment to continual improvement of their work; and
interaction with faculty and peers in the creative design process.

Welch

Dezine Women's Group

Established in 2019, the Dezine Women's Scholarship was started by seven women alums of the class of 2017 and 2018 — Caitlin Bender, Amber Kleitz Cox, Deryn Greer Walker, Emi Johnson Jones, Rachel Suding, Kylar Ware, and Ann Wood — who were inspired by their education to give back.

"This scholarship will be awarded annually to an applicant who has demonstrated excellent relational skills and a perpetual drive to succeed and promote success. The winner will be preeminently collaborative. They will perpetuate constructive feedback. They will transcend design by, one: fostering an attitude of fearless idea-sharing, not afraid to risk their personal advantage; and two: by investing in cross-disciplinary skills and interests to improve themselves and the communities they move in."

dezine women

Bob Gaeta

Bob Gaeta has been a loyal supporter of our graphic design program for many years. As Vice President at Welch Printing, Bob got the company involved as a scholarship donor in 2006. As a regular fixture at Portfolio Day, Bob was constantly impressed with the quality of the seniors' portfolios. So much so that in 2009, Bob decided that we needed awards to recognize outstanding senior portfolios. When asked what how he wanted to name the award, he just said, "Let's call it the Bob Award." We felt it deserved a bit more so the BoB stands for 'Best of the Best.' The award is generally selected my mystery judges during Portfolio Day.

Gaeta

Canon Solutions America

2020 marks the third year of Canon Solutions America being our Portfolio event sponsor. This year, they are once again generously donating the printing of the graduates' portfolio book pages.

We appreciate their support of our program and our students.

Canon

Our Alums

For the past four years (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020) our graphic design alums have generously donated to our program during Raise Some L — the UofL Alumni Association's annual one day blitz. Their commitment has been recognized multiple years with the Ambassador Awards that add their gifts.

Their gifts allow us to help supplement budgets for everything from visiting designer workshops to scholarships to additional equipment and supplies that might otherwise be beyond our budget.

We'd like to thank the following alums who donated to the 2020 campaign.

(And we'd also like to thank Kylar Ware, BFA 2018, for her handlettering contribution.)

Nicole Armstrong, 2009
Chris Arrowood, 2010
Jacqueline Back, 2006
Dan Barczak, 2003
Brandon Bass, 2006
Caitlin Bender, 2018

Amanda Brown, 2003
Rebecca Burke, 2007
Carolina Caicedo, 2015
Joyce Chen, 2019
Nathan Cole, 2010
Amber Kleitz Cox, 2018
Jennie diBeneditto, 2017
Laura Durham, 2011

Jessica Fey, 2008

Katelyn Flaherty, 2016

April Fultz, 2006

Deryn Greer Walker, 2018
Stephanie Netherton Hill, 2010
Jason Howlett, 2004
Becki Hyde, 2006
Steve Kelly, 2008
Lianna Lamorena, 2019

Keith LaRue, 2011
Jennifer Maravillas, 2006
Jennifer McGee, 2007
Aaron Mivelaz, 2018
Emily Musterman, 2007
Amy Newman, 1997
Cheyenne Nolan, 2019

Morgan Plappert, 2015

Lelia Rechtin, 2010

Josie Degler Shaffer, 2015

Emily Schmidt Shepard, 2010

Lauren Michelle Smith, 2011

Rachel Suding, 2018

Ashley Trommler, 2011

Blythe Magnuson Untch, 2016

Kyle Vice, 2004

Kylar Ware, 2018

Jenna Wargo, 2014

Kelly Waterman, 2007

Christoper Wicke, 2008

Alums