Campus News

Animation Students Created Original Music Video

Molly Lonigan, '22, Cameron Knisley, ‘20, Rachel Falsone, '22, Alex Berry, '22, Sierra Annunziata, ‘22, Julia Ramos, ‘24, Jacob Walek, '25 & Jakvia Williams, '25 collaborated on an original, animated music video for Father Bill Quinlivan’s song, “Time for Bed.” Scan the QR Code to watch the video.

Special Guests Visited Campus for Book Distribution Event

Russell Salvatore, Dave Greber, representatives from Senator Kennedy’s Office, Say Yes Buffalo and Hyatt’s - All Things Creative, visited campus in January to distribute free textbooks & supplies to students. Villa Maria launched its Free Books Program – the first of its kind in WNY – in 2021. The program is part of the College’s ongoing effort to prioritize student success and to make higher education accessible and equitable for all. “Villa is breaking down barriers and creating an inclusive environment for students to truly pursue academics,” said Senator Tim Kennedy. “I commend the College for taking this proactive approach, and wholeheartedly believe it will increase access to the quality education that Villa Maria delivers every day.”

Publication Design – Book Design • Lindsay Neilson, '21 — Gold for

“Anode Festival:” Cross Platform –

Integrated Brand Identity Campaign • Lindsay Neilson — Gold for “Anode

Festival:” Sales & Marketing –

Collateral Material – Publication

Design – Special Event Materials • Lindsay Neilson — Student Best of

Show for “Anode Festival:” Integrated

Brand Identity Campaign Dave Greber, News 4 Buffalo

This was the 3rd consecutive year in which a Villa Maria student won Student Best of Show. Four graphic design alumni earned recognition in the professional category: • Tien Nguyen, '19, of Crowley Webb won 2 gold awards • Lindsay Neilson of Mr. Smith Agency won 2 gold & 1 silver awards • Brittney Sikora, '14, won 2 gold & 1 silver awards with White Bicycle and 1 silver award with Community Beer

Works • Zach Huber, '21, of Mirror Matter won 1 silver award

Strong Showing for Graphic Design Students at AAF Buffalo’s Advertising Awards Show

Villa Maria students won 9 of 15 student awards:

• Henny Zack, '21 — Silver for “Earth 2020 Paper Toy:” Elements of

Advertising – Illustration – Single • Katelynn Steckstor, '21 — Silver for

“Physicians Formula Brand Identity:”

Cross Platform – Integrated Brand

Identity Campaign

• Katelynn Steckstor — Silver for

“Clue Branding:” Cross Platform –

Integrated Brand Identity Campaign • Katelynn Steckstor — Silver for

“Translucent:” Sales & Marketing – Collateral Material – Publication

Design – Book Design • Kelsey Sikora, '23 — Silver for “Human Rights Awareness

Campaign:” Cross Platform –

Integrated Brand Identity Campaign • Henny Zack — Silver for “The

Stranger Book Jacket:” Sales &

Marketing – Collateral Material –

Katelynn Steckstor's Physicians Formula Brand Guide Lindsay Neilson's Anode Festival Posters

Villamation 2022

Twenty-six animation and game design students participated in Villamation, the College’s annual 24-hour animation competition.

Best in Show, as awarded by Villa’s animation faculty, went to “Bound,” created by Rachel Falsone, '22, Alexis Berry, '22, Mika Ervin, '23, Timothy Clavier, '22, Tim Reinard, '24, Johnathan Barber, ‘22, and Zenith Carbin, '24.

Scan the QR code to watch “Bound.”

Achieve Program Celebrated Success

Last year, the Achieve Program enrolled nearly 40 students, who attended about 2,000 tutoring sessions. Attendance rates were above average and 89% of students were in good academic standing or better. The 2021-2022 student award winners were:

• Motivation Award - Irelis Reiner, '25 • Creativity Award - Ryan Santiago, '25 & Zenith Carbin, '24 • Organization Award - Mitchell Law, '25 • Team Spirit Award - Emily Cott, '23

Honors Convocation 2022

Sixteen students were recognized as being outstanding in their fields of study. Eight more were inducted into Villa Maria's two honor societies.

Distinguished Interior Design Students Named & Awarded

Work was assessed on professionalism, creativity, and complexity. Four winners were selected by a panel of design experts: • 1st place – Samantha Levreault, '22 • 2nd place – Emmalee Lowe, '22 • 3rd place – Taylor Grodesky, '22

In addition, Lowe was recognized by the New York Upstate/Canada East Chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers with two 2022 Design Excellence Awards. In addition, her work and the College were featured in the March edition of the American Society of Interior Design Newsletter.

Emmalee Lowe's Indoor Garden Rendering from her Children's Chemotherapy and Survivorship Center Project - 2022 Design Excellence Awards

Animation Showcase Award Winners

17 students screened work at this year’s animation showcase. The winners, as named by the program’s faculty, were:

• Strongest Animation — “Torn,” Molly

Lonigan, '22 • Strongest Art Direction — “The Great

Machine,” Andres G. Diaz Pedraza, '22 • Strongest Story — “For Those Who

Are Waiting,” Sierra Annunziata, '22 • Strongest Technical Direction — Villa

Maria College Commercial, Anthony

Tran, '22 • Best in Show — “Torn,” Molly Lonigan

Scan the QR code to watch the work screened at the 2022 Animation Showcase.

Karen Zgoda, LMSW Penned New Book

Zgoda, director of the Care Center, authored, “Entitled Active Learning Lessons, Activities, and Assignments for the Modern Social Work Educator.” It provides tools to seamlessly integrate innovative techniques into the classroom.

Villa Hosted Orrin Evans Quartet

The Orrin Evans Quartet performed in Villa’s Recital Hall as part of the CMC International Jazz Festival presented by the Colored Musicians Club and Point 9 Mile Collaborative. The College cosponsored the CMC Jazz Festival.

Commencement 2022 Award Winners Named

Richard Rugg, '22 won the Spirit Award. Emmalee Lowe, '22 won the Blessed Mary Angela Student Award, the highest honor given at graduation.

New Titles for Brian Emerson and Dr. Ryan Hartnett

Two of Villa Maria College’s leaders received new titles:

Brian Emerson is now the Executive Vice President and Dr. Ryan Hartnett is now the Provost. Emerson and Hartnett both have sustained records of outstanding leadership at Villa.

Brian Emerson Dr. Ryan Hartnett