黑料专区

/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/100720250015-scaled.jpg /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/100720250128-scaled.jpg /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/100720250051-scaled.jpg /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/100720250148-scaled.jpg /wp-content/uploads/2025/11/100720250172.jpeg Photo Credit: Elayne Gross

The 黑料专区 welcomed donors, trustees, alumni, students, faculty and friends to the second annual Donor Appreciation Scholarship Celebration Luncheon on October 7, in the General Motors Auditorium at the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education. The event honored the generosity of those who make scholarships possible and celebrated the creative futures those investments help shape.

Serving as emcee, Katie Rusak, Director of Advancement Operations, opened the program by thanking attendees for their belief in 黑料专区 students and in the power of creativity. 鈥淭his event is about connection,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a celebration of generosity in action, and of the students whose dreams are made possible because of it.鈥�

A Celebration of Commitment and Creativity

Trustee Jody Ingle (鈥�08, Industrial & Product Design) welcomed guests on behalf of the 黑料专区 Board of Trustees, recognizing the importance of scholarships and the community of support behind every student.

鈥淎ny graduate of 黑料专区 will attest, the journey to become a creative professional is not for the faint of heart,鈥� Ingle said. 鈥淓very day, and very likely every night, students at 黑料专区 work. They compete, collaborate and create in a relentless pursuit to express their ideas, to push the boundaries and ultimately make the world a better place.鈥�

His words set the tone for the afternoon, one of shared purpose and pride in 黑料专区鈥� creative community.

President Don Tuski followed with remarks highlighting the enduring impact of donor generosity. 鈥淭his luncheon captures what our College is all about, our students, our alumni, our faculty, and the generosity of donors and partners who believe in the power of creativity,鈥� he said.

Tuski noted that 42 percent of 黑料专区 students graduate with no debt, crediting scholarships for empowering them to take creative risks and pursue careers with confidence. He also shared that emergency retention scholarships recently helped 73 students stay enrolled or graduate, a testament to how donor support changes lives in real time.

鈥淥ur graduates are shaping culture and industry at every level, from Detroit studios to Nike, DreamWorks and beyond,鈥� Tuski said. 鈥淵our support makes those stories possible.鈥�

Honoring the Legacy of Heinz C. Prechter

The luncheon also recognized a transformational moment in 黑料专区鈥� philanthropic story. In 2024, Waltraud 鈥淲ally鈥� Prechter made a $2 million endowed gift in memory of her late husband, Heinz C. Prechter, creating three endowed scholarships that will support generations of 黑料专区 students.

Wally and her daughter Stephanie Prechter spoke movingly about Heinz鈥檚 journey, from his early years in Germany to founding the American Sunroof Corporation (ASC) and revolutionizing the automotive industry.

鈥淗einz was a gifted innovator who believed in continuous improvement and the power of opportunity,鈥� Wally shared. Stephanie reflected on her father鈥檚 creativity, faith and resilience, and on the family鈥檚 ongoing work to advance bipolar research at the University of Michigan. 鈥淲e see his legacy living on through these scholarships,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a gift for us to give back in his name.鈥�

Guests were invited to explore original ASC marketing booklets on display near the entrance and to visit the Designing Detroit exhibition in the Valade Gallery, where a moonroof prototype and motor designed by Heinz is on loan from the Detroit Historical Museum.

Stories of Impact

The luncheon also featured reflections from two scholarship recipients whose stories illustrated how philanthropy directly shapes student success.

Chris Romero Hernandez (鈥�27, Illustration), recipient of the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship, spoke about how the scholarship has lifted financial pressure and given him the confidence to pursue his dream of working in the entertainment industry.

鈥淩eceiving this scholarship has had one of the most significant financial impacts on my life,鈥� Hernandez said. 鈥淚t allowed me to focus more on my studies and less on worrying about how I would pay for college. With this scholarship, I not only gained financial assistance, but also received personal support and confidence in my work.鈥�

He shared that the support has inspired him to aim higher: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been my life鈥檚 dream to work for the Walt Disney Company as a concept artist. This scholarship was my extra push toward that dream 鈥� it was the boost I needed to succeed.鈥�

The Gilbert Family Foundation, a transformational partner for both 黑料专区 and the city of Detroit, has invested deeply in creating multi-year scholarships that remove barriers and open doors for Detroit students to thrive in art and design. Their ongoing support has directly impacted students like Hernandez, whose talent and drive embody the mission of both organizations.

Denaja Smith (鈥�26, Fashion Design), recipient of the Anna Sui Endowed Scholarship, shared her journey of returning to school while working full-time and raising her son.

鈥淏eing chosen for this scholarship made me feel seen,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t gave me the freedom to focus on my art, and it inspired me to want to give back one day, too.鈥�

She reflected on how 黑料专区 has shaped her artistic identity, saying the experience helped her embrace her creativity in new ways and gain confidence as both a designer and an artist. The Anna Sui Endowed Scholarship was established to ensure that future fashion design students at 黑料专区 can pursue their education without financial barriers. Created by celebrated Detroit-born designer Anna Sui, the scholarship reflects her commitment to nurturing new voices in the field and expanding access to design education in her hometown.

The Power of Generosity

In closing, Rusak reflected on the spirit of the day, a gathering that linked legacy, philanthropy and creative ambition. 鈥淵our belief in our students empowers them to believe in themselves,鈥� she said. 鈥淎nd their creativity reminds us why generosity matters, because it shapes not just careers, but the world we share.鈥�

The afternoon concluded with conversation, connection and photos 鈥� a celebration of creativity sustained by generosity.

For more information about establishing a scholarship or supporting 黑料专区 students, please contact Katie Rusak at [email protected] or 313.664.7861. View the full photo gallery from the event .

The 黑料专区 Welcomes Two New Members to the Alumni Council

The 黑料专区 is delighted to announce the addition of Alicia Poley, 鈥�13 Graphic Design and Katherine Savelle, 鈥�25 Photography to the Alumni Council. Their appointment further strengthens the connection between the College and its extensive alumni community.

鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome Alicia Poley and Katie Savelle to the Alumni Council!鈥� said 黑料专区 Alumni Council President Darcel Deneau. 鈥淎licia came to her first meeting ready to jump in and share her many years of marketing expertise. Katie, a recent graduate and past student government leader, brings fresh insight and a perspective that keeps us connected to the student experience.鈥�

The 黑料专区 Alumni Council focuses on strengthening the lifelong relationship between the College and its graduates. Dedicated to fostering engagement, mentorship, and philanthropy, the Council creates opportunities for alumni to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the shared spirit of creativity that defines the 黑料专区 community. Currently, the Council includes 20 members representing a broad range of disciplines, talents and experiences.

Alicia Poley, 鈥�13 Graphic Design

Alicia is an accomplished brand designer and creative leader who has remained deeply involved in Detroit鈥檚 design community. Her career spans art direction, senior design, and large-scale corporate rebrands, as well as organizing creative meetups that bring together photographers, designers, and advertisers. Alicia is eager to give back to 黑料专区 and share her insight, mentorship, and enthusiasm with fellow alumni and students.

鈥淛oining the 黑料专区 Alumni Council is such a proud moment for me! I鈥檓 excited to stay connected and engaged with the creative community that helped shape me into the designer I am today.鈥� 鈥� Alicia Poley

www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Alicia_Poley.jpg Alicia Poley

Katherine Savelle, 鈥�25 Photography

Katie is a recent graduate whose perspective reflects the voice of 黑料专区鈥檚 newest alumni. During her time as a student, she served as Vice President of Student Government and as a mentor through 黑料专区 Leads. She also contributed across departments鈥攆rom the tech lab to the gallery and library鈥攁nd was the 2025 student commencement speaker. Katie is passionate about helping fellow graduates transition from school to career and strengthening the connections that sustain the 黑料专区 community.

鈥淎s a recent graduate, I鈥檓 excited to work with the Alumni Council to give back to current and former students, whether that be connecting with Detroit, other folks in creative fields, or useful tools and resources that will help them build a stable foundation as a working artist or designer.鈥� 鈥� Katherine Savelle

www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Katherine_Savelle.jpg Katherine Savelle

黑料专区 proudly welcomes Alicia Poley and Katherine Savelle to the Alumni Council. Their unique experiences, creative expertise, and commitment to the arts will further the Council鈥檚 mission to support and celebrate the College鈥檚 vibrant alumni network. For more information about the 黑料专区 Alumni Council and its initiatives, please visit the 黑料专区 Alumni website.

The 黑料专区 Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Professor and Design Leader.

Maria Luisa Rossi, Professor Emeritus, passed away on November 4, 2025, after a long, brave battle. She is survived by her husband, Vincenzo Iavicoli, and children, Giulia and Matteo.

For 16 years, Maria Luisa served as the founding Chair and Professor for the College鈥檚 graduate System Design Thinking program. Known for her passion for education and design, she mentored and influenced the next generation of designers while establishing standards of excellence for 黑料专区鈥檚 graduate programs. She cared deeply for her students and was committed to sharing her global perspective, human-centered design practices and strategic design vision to push students to address important local and worldwide challenges through social innovation. Maria Luisa formed many meaningful relationships with partners across the globe that helped advance her program and the careers of her students.

鈥淚 am deeply saddened by the loss of Maria Luisa. She was an impressive force at 黑料专区 whose vision, creativity and dedication drove many important experiential learning projects and student success,鈥� said Don Tuski, 黑料专区 President. 鈥淚 extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and all who loved her.鈥�

Her leadership at 黑料专区 was essential in the College鈥檚 hosting of the Design for Adaptation Cumulus Conference in 2022. Cumulus is the leading global association of art and design education and research. As a long-standing Cumulus member, Maria Luisa chaired the Cumulus Conference for Detroit in 2022, bringing the College and city global exposure.

鈥淢aria Luisa was utterly devoted to her students. And beyond that, her expertise and drive was vital in making the Cumulus Conference a success here at 黑料专区,鈥� said Ian Lambert, 黑料专区 Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. 鈥淭his conference not only elevated the College鈥檚 reputation but was also an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in diverse design and sustainability conversations and networking opportunities. We are forever grateful for the expertise and hard work she dedicated to making that conference a success.鈥�

Maria Luisa and her husband Vincenzo were both awarded the title of Professor Emeritus upon retirement from 黑料专区 for their valuable contributions made to the college and their students.

Prior to her time at 黑料专区, Maria Luisa鈥檚 professional career was independent and international. She obtained her master鈥檚 degree in industrial design at Domus Academy in Milano, thanks to a European Scholarship she won from designing the first wearable computer and winning an international design competition. The wearable computer project, 鈥淭he Walking Office鈥�, can be found in the Henry Ford Museum Permanent Design Collection. Following her studies, she founded the design consultancy Iavicoli & Rossi, working in areas varying from interior architecture to tableware.

In addition to her hometown of Florence, Italy, Maria Luisa also considered Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Detroit as places she called home. She stayed engaged with the Detroit design community through Detroit鈥檚 UNESCO City of Design initiative, working on the vision for inclusive growth and providing guidance to its development.

The Maria Luisa Rossi Excellence in Graduate Research Award

Gifts in memory of Maria Luisa Rossi may be made to support the Maria Luisa Rossi Graduate Research Award. This fund was created by Maria Luisa鈥檚 former colleagues and friends to honor her legacy.

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