Graphic Design Students Honored for Artistry, Expertise

The artistry and expertise of eight graphic design students at Pennsylvania College of Technology have been recognized in three award competitions.



In an impressive showing, Penn College students captured three gold awards and seven silver awards at the Student American Advertising Awards from the American Advertising Federation of Northeast Pennsylvania. One student also went on to earn a silver medal at the district level competition of the American Advertising Awards.

Gold award winners are: Ainsley R. Bennett, of Montoursville, for “Civil War Trust, Annual Report” in the printed annual report or brochure category; Zachary T. DiAntonio, of Easton, for “Arcade Skateboard Decks” in the illustration – campaign category; and Morgan N. Keyser, of Dillsburg, for “Sea Turtle Conservancy Report” in the printed annual report or brochure category.

Bennett and Keyser also won silver awards. Bennett’s silver was received for her “Stephen King Collector Book Covers” in publication design. Keyser’s honor was for her “Ice Cream Cones Packaging” in packaging.

Todd R. Surkovich, of State College, won three silver awards for “Depression Awareness Poster” in the poster category, “Sea Turtle Conservancy Report” in printed annual report or brochure, and “Book Cover Series” in publication design.

Eliza R. Whyman, of Williamsport, received a silver for her “Neato Burrito to Go Package” in packaging.

Nicole A. Kunze’s “Suicide Prevention Poster” in the poster category achieved silver honors in the AAFNEPA regional competition and also went on to receive a silver medal at the district competition, which featured winning works from Delaware; Maryland; New Jersey; New York; Pennsylvania; and Washington, D.C. Kunze is from Montoursville.

All of the Penn College students honored with American Advertising Awards are seniors who have petitioned to graduate in May.

In another competition, the annual Flux Student Design Competition sponsored by AIGA Blue Ridge, a chapter of the national AIGA organization, three Penn College students had their work selected from over 600 entries.

Bennett’s “Surf’s Up Kids Shampoo” was among the standout designs in the packaging category.

Carrie A. Myers, of Williamsport, a December graduate, had three projects selected: “Ahbai Packaging” and “1984 Book Cover,” both in packaging, and “One Acre Fund Annual Report,” in the publication category.

“The Chairs Theatre Poster” project by Nicholas J. Vetock, of Shippensburg, was honored in the poster category. Vetock is also a graduating senior.

AIGA is a professional organization for design founded in 1914 as the American Institute of Graphic Arts. Its Flux competition is a nationwide contest recognizing outstanding design work produced by students in the categories of identity, publication, poster, packaging and web/interactive.

AAF’s Student American Advertising Awards Competition, part of its American Advertising Awards, is a national program honoring college students and recognizing excellence in advertising. The American Advertising Awards is the largest creative awards competition in the advertising industry.

To learn more about graphic design and art majors at Penn College, visit The School of Sciences, Humanities & Visual Communications.

For more about Penn College, a national leader in applied technology education, email Admissions Office or call toll-free 800-367-9222.