National Technical Institute for the Deaf

The annual NTID Arts & Imaging Studies Student Honors Exhibition was held on May 9 to highlight the best work by deaf and hard-of-hearing students enrolled in the Arts & Imaging Studies program and in RIT's College of Imaging Arts and Sciences.

Typically, one student is chosen each year to receive the Charles R. McDougal Award for their overall achievement in the art field. But this year, faculty could not separate three outstanding and deserving students, all Industrial Design majors who specialize in making chairs and other interior designs:

• Clay McDermott-Amos, of Ocala, Fla.
• Casey Schneider, of Grandville, Mich.
• Kevin Toh, of Irvine, Calif.

“Even though these three students are fondly referred to on campus as the Three Musketeers, they are not clones,” said Kenneth Hoffmann, chair of NTID’s Arts & Imaging Studies Department. “Each has his own very unique and individual strengths, interests and successes that he brings to his work here and that helps build their terrific team. We congratulate their hard work and excellent achievement with this award.”

NTID President Gerry Buckley said he’s been following the successful college careers of the Three Musketeers. “I’m proud of their many accomplishments, including this prestigious award,” he said.

Students selected for this award had to be in good academic standing, demonstrate artistic achievements through formal coursework or other activities, show a commitment to an art career and be active in campus clubs or organizations. Most importantly, students should demonstrate character and integrity. More information about the winners, read a recent profile in FOCUS magazine, on page 9.

The McDougal Award was established in 1981 to honor the memory of Charles R. McDougal, a faculty member who taught in the in the NTID Arts & Imaging Studies Department until his death in 1979. The award was established by faculty who had fond memories of him as a colleague, a teacher and a friend.