San Francisco, CA – The student athletes at the Academy of Art University are making waves among the student body. They are excelling in the classroom and gaining much recognition for not only their hard work in athletics, but for their academic achievements as well. This new athletic breed of students is proving that they cannot be taken lightly in any situation; and that they are here to stay.
During the 2009-2010 academic year, there were four student athletes who had their work featured in the Spring Show. Academy of Art University’s annual Spring Show features the top work in each of the majors and departments. It is a chance for the students to display their work for the public, as well as being viewed by several top companies. This year, the student athletes whose work was chosen for and displayed at this special event were Kimberly Dauer (Softball), Hunter Hayden (Men’s Basketball), Anna Ritchie (Women’s Tennis), and Stacey Toth (Women’s Track/Cross Country). All of this year’s Spring Show collections can be viewed until July 31st.
Dauer, who just completed her freshman year, was recognized for her work as a Graphic Design major. Her work was chosen from David Hake’s Typography I class. The project is a Type Classification Poster. Her work can be seen at 79 New Montgomery.
Hayden, an Advertising major who just finished his sophomore year at the Academy, has a three-piece ad displayed in the Spring Show. His piece is an ad for Champs Sporting Goods, entitled “Champs” campaign. His work was selected from Rolan Young’s Creative II class. His work is being displayed in 180 New Montgomery.
Ritchie, who just completed her fourth year at AAU, has had her work featured in not only this year’s Spring Show, but the 2009 show as well. Majoring in Industrial design, her work is featured from her degree emphasis of furniture design. In 2009, her work was shown from her Intermediate Furniture class and was entitled “The Hive.” The ‘Hive’ is an overhead, led light, which was inspired by the cultures of San Francisco. Her work in the 2010 Spring Show is entitled “Relief,” and was chosen from her Product Design 6 class. ‘Relief’ is a biodegradable cardboard table and stool, for disaster relief victims who spend much of the time waiting in line for supplies. Her current work can also be viewed at 180 New Montgomery.
Toth, who just completed her freshman year at the Academy, was recognized for her work in her Web Design New Media major. Her work is entitled “Old School,” and was selected from her Design Technology class. Her work can be seen in 79 New Montgomery.
You can view portions of the 2010 spring show online at www.academyart.edu.
Another student athlete making a mark on the academic side is Miriam Tolentino of the Women's Soccer team. She just completed her junior year and is a fashion major at the Academy of Art. Tolentino had some of her art work displayed for purchase in the 79 New Montgomery art gallery this year. She created canvas portfolio bags for her Applied Textiles 3 class. Tolentino also had two pieces selected for the Devine Charity Auction which opened its entries to the entire city of San Francisco. Having both of her pieces chosen from all of the applicants was a tremendous accomplishment, as well as being helpful to the community. Her pieces were recycled clothes and fabrics which were made into something new, and all of the proceeds from the charity auction went to the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
These are just a few examples of how successful the Academy of Art University’s student athletes are in the classroom. As a whole, the athletics department has been able to maintain a grade point average near a 3.0. The student athletes are able to be serious and get the job done both on and off the fields and courts.