William Dunlop Merit Award Established in SIGD

The award will recognize one graduating senior in Graphic Design (GDES) for producing exceptional work, as determined by the faculty, throughout the student’s three years in the professional GDES program. It will be given twice a year, once at the end of the fall semester and once at the end of the spring semester.

“The Merit Award is a way to reward an exceptional graduating senior in the GDES program,” said Dunlop.  “Having taught foundation studios for many years, I served as the initial instructor for many current students and alumni of the program.

“I wanted to have a semester-end merit award as determined by the senior faculty,” he continued. “After previously setting up two annual scholarships for graphic design majors, I felt a merit award would recognize SIGD, CADC and university as well as bolster the resumes of exceptional students.”

Dunlop added that funding the award was a way of continuing to encourage the same basic ideas he had always tried to embody in his teaching career.

“My background at the Corcoran College of Art + Design was firmly rooted in design principles and education,” he noted.  “My education there played a tremendous role in my foundations experience and teaching approach of seeking to establish a strong initial exposure and demanding fundamentals curriculum.

“My aim was always to prepare beginning students with the tools needed to succeed and thrive upon graduation. The Auburn GDES faculty and the program are exceptional, and this is my way of giving back to not only the students, but to the faculty and program.”

For more information, or to donate to the Dunlop Merit Award Fund, contact Braden Lewis, Development Officer for the College of Architecture, Design and Construction at (334) 707-1415 or email bradenlewis@auburn.edu.