Awards & Honors

Art Department Awards and Honors

>> Award Descriptions

>> Congratulations to Winners!

2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015  

Descriptions of Art Department Awards

Awards for Graduating Seniors

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award
This medallion award is for a senior who has shown curiosity and passion in art, who is recognized as a positive influence by students and faculty, and who has produced high level studio work in and out of the classroom. The student must have a GPA of 3.5 or above, and will complete and present a substantive body of work that is connected in style and theme as a senior thesis exhibition.

Rodney E. Gates Award for Excellence in Art Education
The Rodney E. Gates Award medallion award recognizes an outstanding Art Education major who has exhibitions scholastic and artistic excellence, active involvement in art education, professional organizations, and community service. Rodney Gates was a long-time member of the Department of Art faculty.

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award
This medallion award recognizes an art major who demonstrates excellence in creative and academic achievement. Parthenia J. Vandermark served as chair of the Department of Art for many years.

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts
This medallion award (shared between Art, Music, Theater & Dance) recognizes significant accomplishment in a fine and performing arts medium that has resulted in the creation of a work or works of art (including musical and theatrical works) and for which the artist has received significant recognition beyond coursework. Consideration is given to student’s other contributions to the university and/or community and to academic achievement. The award is donated by Mrs. Sherman C. Ward, a former member and chair of the university Board of Trustees.

Awards for Continuing Students

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship
This prestigious award allows an upper-level art major to spend a full spring semester studying at Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence, Italy. This generous scholarship covers tuition, transportation and housing, as well as a living stipend for the semester.

Jeanne Hartman Memorial Scholarship
This art major award recognizes an outstanding art student who is a junior entering senior year, with at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA. Named for Jeanne Hartman, a long-time faculty member in the Department of Art.

Ottiano Scholarship
This art major award recognizes a junior or continuing senior who shows continuing growth and achievement in art while maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0.

Sherman & Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture
Candidates for this award must be an art major with at least sophomore standing. The student exhibits a strong work ethic and a positive presence in the department. While developing skills as an artist, particularly with three-dimensional media, the student displays understanding of the intellectual, visual, and technical aspects of the creative process.

Sheri Feldman Art Scholarship (funding ended in 2015)
Sheri Feldman was an art student at Glassboro State. This scholarship in her honor was awarded to junior level art majors studying in any area of art and design, with a 3.0 minimum GPA.

Awards for Incoming Art Majors

1/2 Tuition Waivers for incoming freshman
The Department of Art currently awards four of these Scholarships each year for incoming Freshman art majors. The award takes overall academics into consideration, but to be eligible, a student must be identified as having presented a superior portfolio during the admissions process. These are four-year awards as long as the student continues as an Art major and maintains a 3.0 GPA each semester.

Francis R. Lax Art Scholarship
This scholarship was established to recognize the artistic ability and academic potential of an incoming freshman student. It is a four-year award, requiring the recipient to maintain a 3.0 GPA.

G&Q Scholarship
This award recognizes artistic ability (as shown by a high-quality art portfolio) and academic potential for an incoming Art majors who is a graduate of a Gloucester County High School. Recipients are asked to write a note of thanks to an influential art teacher.

Award Winners

Congratulations to our 2022 Scholarship and Award winners! 

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Julie Ciccone

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Candice Wright 

Rodney E. Gates Award: Renee DiAntonio

Ann B. Ward Medallion: Cassady Ayres 

Sherman and Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Gabrielle Kennedy 

Jeanne Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Isabel Dory 

Noteworthy in Music and Art: Shayne Shands 

Ed and Nancy Smoller Scholarship in Art Education: Arlyn Defazio 

Congratulations to our 2021 Scholarship and Award winners! 

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Marc Ponce

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Jon Erik Hem

Rodney E. Gates Award: Camila Espina

Jeanne Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Julie M. Ciccone

Ed & Nancy Smoller Art Education Scholarship: Emily Rubino 

The Rowan Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship’s Creative-in-Residence: Julie M. Ciccone

G&Q Scholarship: Xavier Salgado (incoming Freshman) 

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Julianna Menna

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Christopher Dolson, Abigail Eden, Ava Leibovitz, Katernya Paischnyk

Congratulations to our 2020 Scholarship and Award winners!

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Theresa Egan

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Leann Carlson

Rodney E. Gates Award: Kirsten Hoffman 

Ann B. Ward: Karlee Rogers

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Jessica Angelini 

Jeanne Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Sophia Bischoff

Sherman and Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Jon Erik Hem

G&Q Scholarship: Diamond Lincoln (currently enrolled) Brennan Richmond (incoming Freshman) 

Ed & Nancy Smoller Art Education Scholarship: Tyler Monaco 

Noteworthy in Music and Art: Vanessa Altimari 

Arrowmont Workshop Recipients: Chelsea Clemens and Jessica Hedum 

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Juliet Hunter 

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Abigail Leitinger, Emily Murray, Maurice Pearson, and Emma Stanley 

Congratulations to our 2019 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Allison Dempsey, Branchburg NJ

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Xin Liu, West New York NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Daniel Palladino, Sewell NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Leann Carlson, Vineland NJ

Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Maya Barton, Woodstown NJ 

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Leann Carlson, Vineland NJ

G&Q Scholarship: Khai Nguyen, Blackwood NJ (currently enrolled) and Lydia Riddell, Swedesboro NJ (incoming major)

Ed & Nancy Smoller Art Education Scholarship: Sarah Timmons, Georgetown DE

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Audrey Zhou, Williamstown NJ 

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Chloe Green, Mount Laurel NJ; Joshua Montana, Haddonfield NJ;

Emily Rubino, Wall NJ; and Taylor Slade, Marlton NJ

Congratulations to our 2018 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Courtney Saul, Millville NJ

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Brianna L. Jarzyna, Bellmawr NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Elisabeth DiMauro, Vineland NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Joseph Cimino, Marlton NJ

Sherman and Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Giovanni Cambria,   Kendall Park NJ

Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Allison Dempsey, Branchburg NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Leann Carlson, Vineland NJ

G&Q Scholarship: Stephen D’Acenzo, Williamstown NJ (currently enrolled) and Maria Strano, West Deptford NJ (incoming major)

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Kaylee Stec, Toms River NJ

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Carlie Eckel, Cape May NJ; Samantha McCoy, Franklinville NJ; Daija Mcneil, Willingboro NJ; Ashley So, Sicklerville NJ

Congratulations to our 2017 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Megan Fleischer, Clifton NJ

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Iris Richardson, Mullica Hill NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Karen Donnelly, Cinnaminson NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Lauren Burke, Bridgeton NJ

Sherman and Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Xin Liu, West New York NJ

Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Brianna Jarzyna, Bellmawr NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Ethan Howe, Merchantville NJ

G&Q Scholarship: Jennifer McCabe, Mantua NJ (currently enrolled) and Marc Ponce, Williamstown NJ (incoming major)

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Mikayla Vega, Elmer NJ

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Alison Carella, Hamilton NJ; Elizabeth Kenlan, Verona NJ; Allison Mosley, Marlton NJ; Marc Ponce, Williamstown NJ; Hannah Spring, Belvidere NJ

Congratulations to our 2016 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Melissa Thompson, Robbinsville, NJ

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Thomas Reed, Gloucester City, NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Allyson Cook, Cape May, NJ

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts: Daisy Greenwell Newfield, NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Gina Scamuffa, Glassboro, NJ

N. Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Canter, Cherry Hill, NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Frankie Cifone, Mullica Hill, NJ


Award winners at the College of Communication and Creative Arts Student Showcase, April 2016. Left to right: Thomas Reed, Frankie Cifone, Melissa Thompson, Daisy Greenwell, Samantha Canter, Allyson Cook

Gina Scamuffa takes a break from her studies at SACI in Florence, Italy. This year's Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship winner, she's enjoying the view from the top of the Duomo.

G&Q Scholarship: Madison McShea, Franklinville NJ

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Jennifer McCabe, Mantua NJ

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Alexandra Dutch, Clementon NJ; Elliot Fitzgerald, Somerdale NJ; Mackenzie Mauro, Bordentown NJ; Cierra Smith, East Moriches NY; Sarah Timmons, Georgetown DE

Congratulations to our 2015 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Armando Ramirez, Toms River NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Melissa Silvestri, Flanders NJ

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Paige Stecklair, Sewell NJ

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts: Derek Koch, Brick NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Brent Atkins, West Cape May NJ

Sherman and Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Amber Schwartz, Westville NJ

N. Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Samantha Kovnat, Cherry Hill NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Victor Steinman, Sewell NJ

Sheri Feldman Scholarship: Erin O’Malley, Mays Landing NJ

Award winners at the College of Communication and Creative Arts Student Showcase, April 2014. Pictured left to right: Paige Stecklair, Corey Petit, Camille Paccaly, Susan Bowman (Chair, Department of Art), Daisy Greenwell, Stephanie Gerhard, Tyler Cheli

G&Q Scholarship: Christine Glinos, Deptford NJ

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Paxton Allen, Pittsgrove NJ

1/2 Tuition Waiver Awards: Faith Hancock, Burlington NJ; Xin Liu, West New York NJ; Joseph Martin, Atco NJ; Kelsey Ross, Hewitt NJ

Congratulations to our 2014 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Cayla Crowell, Shamong NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Corey Petit, Vineland NJ

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Camille Paccaly, Pittstown NJ

Ann B. Ward Creative Achievement in the Fine and Performing Arts: Matheus Fiuza, Centerville, MA

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Cayla Crowell, Shamong NJ

N. Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Paige Stecklair, Sewell NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Daisy Greenwell, Newfield NJ

Sheri Feldman Scholarship (two awards): Tyler Cheli, Vineland NJ; Stephanie Gerhard, Carneys Point NJ


Cayla Crowell paints an Italian street scene during her studies with the Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship.

Congratulations to our 2013 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Alison Lusardi, Blackwood NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Stephanie Quigley, Shamong NJ

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Jenn Consoli, Succasunna NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Helen Keppen, Glendora NJ

N. Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Armando Ramirez, Toms River NJ

Sherman & Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Delores Richards, Sicklerville NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Matheus Fiuza, Centerville MA

Sheri Feldman Scholarship (two awards): Nicole Garrison, Hammonton NJ and Corey Petit, Vineland NJ

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Bryce Onorato, Cape May NJ

G & Q Scholarship: Kiran Sudarsanan, Williamstown NJ

Rowan 1/2 Tuition Waivers:
Megan Fleischer, Clifton NJ
Sydney Forte, Middletown NJ
Rachel Kozic, Hazlet NJ
Dennis Perez, Bellmawr NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship gave Helen Keppen the opportunity to study and travel in Italy.

Congratulations to our 2012 Scholarship and Award Winners!

Parthenia J. Vandermark Creative Arts Award: Stuardo Lopez, Florence NJ

Rodney E. Gates Award: Jaclyn Roth, Hillsborough NJ

Harvey and Harriet Alpert Creative Achievement in Fine Arts Award: Samuel Guerrero, Jr., Browns Mills NJ

The Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship: Christopher Ferrante, Cape May NJ

N. Jeane Hartman Memorial Scholarship: Jenn Consoli, Succasunna NJ

Sherman & Ann Ward Scholarship for Sculpture: Alison Lusardi, Blackwood NJ

Ottiano Friends of the Arts Scholarship: Cayla Crowell, Shamong NJ

Sheri Feldman Scholarship (two awards): Holly Boyle, Lumberton NJ
Jacqueline Randall, Swedesboro NJ

Francis R. Lax Scholarship: Julianna Kraft, Hainesport NJ

G & Q Scholarship: Nicole D’Urbano, Mullica Hill NJ

Rowan 1/2 Tuition Waivers:
Brent Adkins, West Cape May NJ
Megan Byrne, Shamong NJ
Allyson Cook, Cape May NJ
Samantha Kovnat, Cherry Hill NJ
Gina Scamuffa, Lambertville NJ

Christopher Ferrante absorbing the Italian landscape thanks to the Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship.

Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship

This scholarship enables a Rowan art major to study abroad for a full semester at the Studio Art Centers International (SACI) in Florence, Italy, and is made possible through the generosity of J. Seward Johnson, Jr. The highly competitive scholarship covers not only tuition, housing, and transportation but also provides a modest living stipend.

Tonya Pulis, first recipient of the Seward Johnson Artist Development Travel Scholarship.