That spirit filled the General Motors Auditorium at the A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education on October 13, as the 黑料专区 welcomed donors, trustees, students, alumni, faculty and friends for its third annual Donor Appreciation Celebration.

The luncheon brought together donors and students, illuminating what can happen when talent and ambition are met with opportunity and support.

Welcoming guests on behalf of the 黑料专区 Board of Trustees, Board Chair Jim Nicholson reflected on the importance of sustaining opportunities for emerging artists and designers.

鈥満诹献�区 has always believed that creative talent deserves the opportunity to be developed,鈥� Nicholson said. 鈥淪cholarship support helps ensure that extraordinary potential is not limited by financial circumstance. Investing in our students is one of the most meaningful ways we can help shape the future of this institution.鈥�

Detroit鈥檚 Creative Future

This year鈥檚 celebration highlighted 黑料专区鈥檚 growing partnership with the Gilbert Family Foundation, whose investment is creating pathways for Detroit students to discover, pursue and complete a creative education.

Darnell Adams, Vice President of Detroit Community Initiatives for the Gilbert Family Foundation, spoke about the Foundation鈥檚 commitment to expanding opportunity for Detroit students and investing in the city鈥檚 next generation of creative talent.

In 2025, the Gilbert Family Foundation doubled its commitment to the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship, bringing the fund to $2 million. The endowment supports scholarships for Detroit students attending 黑料专区, with two students selected each year to receive $50,000 in scholarship support distributed across four years.

The Foundation has also invested in precollege scholarships that introduce younger students to art and design education and completion scholarships that help current Detroit students persist through graduation.

鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Gilbert Family Foundation for their extraordinary commitment to Detroit students and to 黑料专区,鈥� 黑料专区 President Don Tuski said. 鈥淭heir investment creates opportunity at every stage 鈥� from helping young people discover what鈥檚 possible through precollege experiences, to making a 黑料专区 education attainable, to helping students reach graduation. That kind of sustained investment in creative talent strengthens our College, our city and the creative industries our graduates will go on to shape.鈥�

Opportunity in Action

Scholarship support took on a deeply personal meaning as one 黑料专区 student shared how it has shaped her education, creative growth and opportunities beyond the classroom.

Madelane Martinez, a junior studying Studio Art & Craft, shared how scholarship support has helped make her 黑料专区 education possible. The daughter of immigrants from Honduras and Mexico and the first in her family to attend college, Martinez spoke about the sacrifices her family has made, the challenges they have faced and the encouragement that has fueled her creative journey.

At 黑料专区, Martinez has found a deeper connection to her Latina identity through ceramics and has continued to grow as an artist. Her talent and dedication led to her selection as a Valade Scholar, part of a program established by the Valade family to recognize promising Studio Art & Craft students and give them greater freedom to pursue their creative development.

鈥淩eceiving that scholarship completely transformed what was next for me,鈥� Martinez shared. 鈥淎ny doubt and worry left my body and I was so sure that I was meant to do what I was doing.鈥�

That opportunity has allowed Martinez to devote more time and energy to her practice and pursue experiences beyond the classroom. This summer, she traveled to Zimbabwe for an artist residency, where she studied local clay bodies, experimented with processing wild clay and explored tile making.

鈥淢olly and the Valade family, you鈥檝e made my dream a reality,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hank you for showing me that this isn鈥檛 impossible.鈥�

Throughout the afternoon, the stories and connections in the room reflected the many ways investment in 黑料专区 students can shape what comes next 鈥� expanding access to an education, providing the freedom to grow creatively, opening doors to transformative experiences and connecting students with industry through sponsored projects and real-world creative work.

Together, those opportunities prepare emerging artists and designers to bring new ideas, perspectives and creative solutions into their professions and communities. And they reflect something shared by everyone gathered that afternoon: a belief in creative talent, and in the extraordinary things that can happen when it is given the opportunity to grow.

The celebration concluded with conversation and connection among students, donors and partners 鈥� relationships that will continue to shape 黑料专区, Detroit鈥檚 creative community and the industries its graduates will help lead. View the full .

For more information about establishing a scholarship, supporting student experiences or partnering with 黑料专区, please contact Katie Rusak at krusak@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7861.

The post Investing in Creative Futures: How Donor Support Shapes What Comes Next appeared first on 黑料专区.

So when Manoogian recently read about former GM colleagues who had established scholarships at the 黑料专区, it sparked an idea. After a 35-year career in automotive design and years spent teaching the next generation of designers at 黑料专区, this was another way he could give back.

Earlier this year, Manoogian established the John Manoogian II Endowed Scholarship to support aspiring Transportation Design students who might not have the financial means to pursue and complete their education.

The decision was a natural extension of Manoogian鈥檚 long relationship with design education and with 黑料专区, a relationship that began well before the College had become the internationally recognized source of transportation design talent he knows today.

An Early Connection

After earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Product Design from Michigan State University, Manoogian landed a job as a clay sculptor at Ford Motor Company. But he still hadn鈥檛 achieved his goal of becoming a car designer.

Someone suggested he take a Transportation Design class taught by legendary designer and instructor Homer LaGassey at the Detroit Society of Arts and Crafts, now 黑料专区.

At the time, Transportation Design classes were taught in the basement of an old house on Kirby Street. The program itself was just getting started and had not yet become the established source of design talent it would later be.

Manoogian enrolled in LaGassey鈥檚 night class and asked him for help developing a portfolio for admission to ArtCenter College of Design in Los Angeles.

鈥淟aGassey had a powerful teaching method. He was a practitioner of tough love. He set the bar very high and expected his students to extend themselves beyond what they thought they were capable of. His exacting expectations helped transform my portfolio for entrance into ArtCenter, and gave us a taste of what to expect in real-life professional design studios.”

Manoogian鈥檚 work with LaGassey helped him take that next step. He was accepted to ArtCenter and graduated with honors.

From there, he joined General Motors Design, beginning a career that would span 35 years.

For more than 25 of those years, he also served on GM Design鈥檚 Portfolio Team, searching for and interviewing talented graduates to join the company. The experience took him to design schools around the world and gave him an unusual opportunity to evaluate both the state of design education and the students those institutions were preparing for the profession.

Over those same years, he watched the 黑料专区 evolve.

鈥満诹献�区 had become a source of incredible design talent and had established itself as one of the premier international transportation design educational institutions,鈥� Manoogian said.

After several years evaluating student portfolios, it became apparent to Manoogian that 黑料专区 had become an emerging source for design talent. The students not only possessed the technical drawing/design skills, but were being trained to be problem solvers and storytellers. Necessary skills for success in the professional design studios.

Returning to 黑料专区

When Manoogian鈥檚 35-year career at GM came to a close in 2009, he returned to 黑料专区, this time as an adjunct instructor teaching senior Transportation Design students.

鈥淗ere was an opportunity to give back to the profession that I had been blessed with for so many years,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 could help and guide future mobility designers in preparing for the challenges facing them in the future.鈥�

For Manoogian, preparing those students means developing more than technical skill.

鈥淚 believe problem-solving and the thinking process are key to providing well-rounded designers who will make meaningful contributions. 黑料专区 excels at developing that thought process, and I wanted to build on that discipline.鈥�

He also sees an important advantage in where that education takes place. With 黑料专区 located in Southeast Michigan, students have access to generations of design talent and an industry that continues to evolve around them.

Creating Opportunity

For Manoogian, establishing an endowed scholarship brings together the two forces that have shaped his life.

A 黑料专区 class helped him take an early step toward becoming a car designer. His career gave him the opportunity to evaluate and hire emerging designers from around the world. Later, 黑料专区 gave him the chance to teach and mentor students preparing to enter the profession themselves.

Now he can help make that path possible for someone else.

鈥淎s an adjunct professor, I saw firsthand how the expense of completing a design education was a daunting prospect, and I wondered how I might help deserving, talented students reach their goals. A conversation with Dick Ruzzin made me aware of the possibility of creating a scholarship, and subsequently I read that Crystal Wyndham had created a scholarship. Those two made me aware of how I might help鈥�

鈥淢y personal design journey had been anything but straightforward, so I thought I would do whatever I could to help an aspiring student reach their goals without the worry of financial constraints.鈥�

His commitment to automotive design continues in another way as well. Manoogian is currently working on the development of a facility on Detroit鈥檚 riverfront celebrating the art of the automobile and the people who have shaped it. He sees that work as connected to educating future designers, preserving the legacy of the profession while helping inspire those who will carry it forward.

For Manoogian, it all comes back to the two things that have driven his life and career from the beginning.

Design and education. Full circle.

Interested in supporting students through a scholarship?

There are many ways to create a scholarship at 黑料专区 and shape it around what matters most to you. Contact Katie Rusak, Senior Director of Major Gifts, at krusak@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7861 to learn more.

The post Shaping the Next Generation: John Manoogian鈥檚 Enduring Connection to 黑料专区 appeared first on 黑料专区.

When Darcel Deneau, 鈥�02 Fine Arts, first came to the 黑料专区, she couldn鈥檛 afford to stay.

Drawn by 黑料专区鈥檚 reputation, she enrolled about a year after graduating from high school. But the cost of continuing was more than she or her family could manage, so she left school, married and started a family.

Then, in her 30s, she came back. A scholarship helped give her the opportunity to return to 黑料专区 and finish what she had started. That journey gave Darcel a perspective on opportunity that has stayed with her ever since.

Returning to 黑料专区 opened the world Darcel had wanted to be part of years earlier. She developed her artistic voice, became part of Detroit鈥檚 creative community and discovered something else she still associates with 黑料专区: people willing to help one another.

鈥淧eople tend to be nurturing, compassionate, generous with their time and willing to help one another,鈥� Darcel said.

More than 20 years after graduating, Darcel has remained connected to 黑料专区 through the Alumni Council, mentoring, volunteering and attending Industry Days. Hosted by the Office of Partnerships, Industry Day events bring alumni and creative professionals back to campus to review student work, share advice, and help emerging artists and designers prepare for careers in the creative industries – reflecting something that has long defined the 黑料专区 community: alumni returning to invest in the next generation.

It was during one of those visits that Darcel met graduating Senior Neo Hopkins, 鈥�25 Studio Art & Craft.

One Conversation

Neo was approaching graduation when his paintings and collage work caught Darcel鈥檚 attention. She could envision his ideas translated into another medium: glass. So she extended an invitation.

鈥淚 was excited when Darcel invited me to her studio, but I was also nervous,鈥� Neo remembered. 鈥淪ometimes people say, 鈥楥ome by sometime,鈥� but you don鈥檛 always know if they really mean it.鈥�

The timing made the invitation even more significant. Graduation was approaching, and Neo was trying to determine what would come next. He wanted mentorship and people he could turn to as he began navigating life as a working artist.

鈥淔rom the very first day I visited her studio, everything felt easy,鈥� Neo said. 鈥淪he was incredibly welcoming and generous.鈥�

That first visit led to another, and then another. A professional connection became a creative partnership and, ultimately, a friendship.

Seeing What’s Possible

During those early studio visits, Darcel introduced Neo to glass and taught him glass portraiture. As he explored the medium under her guidance, he began to see how it could complement his own artistic ideas.

What began as artistic instruction grew into an enduring mentorship. Darcel became someone Neo could call while navigating commissions or trying something new. When he needed his first studio space after graduation, she helped make that possible, too.

Today, the two artists work in the same building, exchanging ideas and continuing to learn from one another. Looking back, Neo can draw a remarkably straight line from that first invitation to where he is now.

鈥淚 probably wouldn鈥檛 have started working in glass without Darcel,鈥� he said.

His career is growing in other ways, too. Neo works full time as a Brand Identity Coordinator for the Detroit Economic Growth Corporation while continuing to develop his studio practice, take commissions and pursue new creative opportunities.

People often describe mentorship as a one-way relationship, but Darcel believes both people grow through the experience.

鈥淣eo inspires me just as much as I hope I鈥檝e encouraged him,鈥� she said.

The post More Than Mentorship: How One 黑料专区 Connection Opened a Door appeared first on 黑料专区.

Both alumni and donor relations are top priorities for Thomas, who was appointed Vice President for Institutional Advancement in October 2025, shortly after former Vice President Tracy Muscat retired that summer. Through her new role, Thomas is committed to developing fundraising efforts that are tied to 黑料专区鈥檚 mission and vision, and building up a sustainable community of alumni.

The last seven years have prepared Thomas for this VP role. In 2019, she joined Institutional Advancement as the Director of Campaigns and Major Gifts. She was excited to once again work alongside Muscat, whom she had worked for in a previous role and considers a strong fundraiser with a gift for connecting and empowering people.

鈥淎t 黑料专区, I could see where I could really help move the bar, leveraging my experience to make a difference, and I knew I would have opportunities to contribute in meaninful ways,鈥� Thomas says on why she came to the College. 鈥淚 was going to work for an organization that is incredibly important to the Detroit community, and be able to make a difference.鈥�

As 黑料专区 grappled with the Covid-19 pandemic that began just months after Thomas started her director position, she focused her attention on raising funds to secure the resources students needed for their studies, which was done through cultivating new and existing donor relationships.

Once Thomas began managing the alumni relations program, she knew it was time to transition from previous event-based fundraising efforts to more 鈥渕ission- and vision-connected fundraising.鈥� That involved identifying the College鈥檚 key events as well as new ones that could engage alumni and donors. The Institutional Advancement office also wanted to increase communications with alumni and donors.

鈥淚t鈥檚 about finding out who loves and believes in 黑料专区, sharing the mission and vision, and finding out what problem we could solve together,鈥� Thomas says, adding that at one point, the team met with every 黑料专区 Board of Trustees member via Zoom for their insights. 鈥淧hilanthropy is not just about raising money; it鈥檚 building community, pride and a shared responsibility for where we鈥檙e going.鈥�

These efforts proved successful. Thomas helped the team learn how to track alumni engagement through key areas, including interaction with their communications, volunteering, donations and event attendance. The Office also participated in the Council for Advancement and Support of Education鈥檚 (CASE) Alumni Engagement Survey in TK year(s). Thomas and the team learned 黑料专区 ranked 21%, higher than the international average for alumni engagement and higher than their peers.

Thomas also says the average open rate for their alumni e-newsletters tripled over time, going from around 13% to as high as 40%. And to continue strengthening the alumni network, Thomas and the Institutional Advancement team created a role dedicated to that work and hired alumna Lesley Mason in 2024.

As Thomas transitioned to the VP role, she recalls the experience being a seamless one, crediting her time working with Muscat and the solid team they built. She wants to continue fortifying those alumni and donor relationships that will support 黑料专区 for decades to come.

鈥淲hen I think about my vision for these next couple of years, a lot of it is about continuing to build that pride and connection, that community of people that are going to have a shared responsibility for where 黑料专区 goes,鈥� Thomas reiterates. 鈥淚t will lead to philanthropy, but it鈥檚 really about building that community of our biggest fans.鈥�

The post Driving Growth and Philanthropy: Meet 黑料专区鈥檚 New Vice President for Institutional Advancement Denise Thomas appeared first on 黑料专区.

This transformative commitment reflects 黑料专区 alumna and Trustee Molly Valade鈥檚 deep connection to and belief in the legacy and importance of the Studio Art & Craft program, as well as her enduring belief in the power of a 黑料专区 education. Molly graduated from 黑料专区鈥檚 Fine Arts program (now Studio Art & Craft) and has served on the College鈥檚 Board of Trustees since 2008, in addition to serving on 黑料专区鈥檚 alumni council for 13 years. Over the years, her engagement with students, faculty, and staff has strengthened the program鈥檚 creative and academic environment, and this gift will ensure that impact continues into the future.

鈥淪tudio Art & Craft has been at the heart of 黑料专区 for more than a century,鈥� said Don Tuski, President of the 黑料专区. 鈥淭he establishment of this endowed chair will help ensure the department continues to evolve, inspire new generations of artists and makers, and expand opportunities for innovative studio practice well into the future.鈥�

Founded in 1906, 黑料专区, then The Society of Arts & Crafts, integrated rigorous courses with the progression of the art and design movements and world-class, contemporary exhibitions. Since its inception, the Studio Art & Craft program has carried on this tradition while continually building on this foundation and legacy. In 2026, the program is still rooted in traditional techniques, now enhanced by contemporary processes and innovative technologies. The department currently enrolls undergraduate students exploring the disciplines of Ceramics, Drawing, Fibers and Textiles, Fine Arts, Glass, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Painting, Performance, Print Media, Sculpture, Digital Fabrication and Digital Media.

Under the leadership of Department Chair Valerie Jenkins, Studio Art & Craft continues to foster rigorous studio practice and distinct creative voices. The creation of the Valade Family Endowed Chair will further elevate that work, strengthening the program鈥檚 impact and vitality, ensuring its continued growth.

The post 黑料专区 Announces New Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft appeared first on 黑料专区.

鈥淗e had a genuine interest in his students, a devotion to the classroom, and a deep appreciation for fine literature and well-crafted writing,鈥� recalls his wife, Judy Goldwasser.

Making Writers Visible in an Art & Design College

For three decades, Goldwasser championed the idea that the same thinking process behind writing is not only essential to producing the visual arts, but it also has much in common with the very core of creative output.

As he once wrote in 鈥淭opic and Talk,鈥� a publication of the Art School of the Society of Arts and Crafts (the forerunner of today鈥檚 黑料专区):

After earning his MFA from the University of Iowa Writers鈥� Workshop 鈥� where he studied under literary greats such as Kurt Vonnegut, Nelson Algren and Richard Yates 鈥� he spent four years teaching English at Wayne State University before he joined 黑料专区. He quickly became part of the 黑料专区 fabric: advising students, chairing the General Studies Department and various committees, and showing up for nearly every exhibition and event throughout Metro Detroit.

Creating a Living Tribute

When Jim passed away in 2000, his family, friends and colleagues came together to ensure his influence would continue. Their generosity established the James S. Goldwasser Award for Excellence in Writing, a lasting tribute to his belief in the power of language. Each spring, the award, presented at the 黑料专区 graduation and judged by 黑料专区 Liberal Arts faculty, recognizes two graduating seniors for exceptional fiction writing. It honors the rigor, empathy and imagination Jim brought to his teaching.

鈥淭he James S. Goldwasser Award celebrates Jim鈥檚 love of words, stories and students,鈥� observes Dorene O鈥橞rien, 黑料专区 creative writing instructor and longtime contest judge, who enjoyed many years as Jim鈥檚 colleague. 鈥淛im would appreciate the award benefits that have remained constant throughout the past 25 years: validation of writing excellence; positive career impact; encouragement of innovation and risk-taking; and preservation of the uniquely human act of storytelling. Jim would have been proud of every hopeful entrant for this prestigious award.鈥�

For the winners, it鈥檚 far more than the prize money and recognition. It鈥檚 a reminder that language, like design, can change how we view the world.

Scholarship in Action

This year, Illustration Senior Lily Jarnac captures the empathy and imagination Jim inspired in his classrooms with her winning story, 鈥淭he Glowing Tree.鈥� She describes the experience of winning the writing award as a moment of affirmation:

鈥淚鈥檓 very thankful for this award. It is hard for me and for most students to comprehend that they deserve that title, that they are professional artists, writers, or photographers, no longer the children who spent their time admiring the world around them. The Goldwasser Award cemented this idea in my mind. It reminded me that I am allowed to take up space in the creative world, that I am capable enough, and that people might actually care about the words I put on a page. They are words so personal and private that I often forget there is someone out there who feels them as deeply as I do.鈥�

For fellow award winner Fiona McCabe, Concept Design Senior, the recognition brought a new sense of confidence:

鈥淚 have never been a very confident person, always doubting myself and my writing skills. As much as I love writing, I always thought that I didn鈥檛 have what it takes to make compelling stories that people would be invested in. I wasn鈥檛 even going to apply to the Goldwasser writing competition until my professors, friends and family heavily encouraged me to do so. I鈥檓 an artist and designer, and I had begun to think that maybe that鈥檚 all I would ever be good at, that maybe I should just stay in my own lane. But when I was notified that I was a winner, it was an eye-opening moment for me. Winning this award has given me new confidence and shown me that I don鈥檛 have to stay in my lane of visual arts. I can move forward knowing I can expand outward and find success in another form of storytelling that I deeply love.鈥�

Together, their reflections speak to the spirit of the award, encouraging students to trust their voices, take creative risks, and recognize the value of their own storytelling. The award continues the work Jim did best: noticing talent, encouraging creativity and helping writers feel seen.

A Legacy of Presence and Mentorship

Jim鈥檚 students have vivid memories of their times with him both in and outside of the classroom.

鈥淲hen I think of Jim, it鈥檚 always with a smile,鈥� observes Mary Haddad Raveane, Advertising Design BFA 鈥�79, who took several of his classes. 鈥淗e was an integral part of my education, and he had a way of connecting writing to art. His approach to writing in Composition 101 helped me see that writing quick essays was the equivalent of gesture poses in life drawing, and he used the art studio method of having students read each other鈥檚 essays and critique them in class. His American Novels class helped me develop a lifelong love of reading.鈥�

鈥淚n addition to being a great teacher, Jim was a wonderful human being. He had a sparkling, dry wit that was contagious. He was just fun to be around. When we had evening classes, Jim would often join students and Fine Arts faculty members for picnic dinners. I always thought of him as the jovial parent in a group of adolescents.鈥�

Looking Ahead

Now, as 黑料专区 marks the 25th anniversary of the James S. Goldwasser Award for Excellence in Writing, the College celebrates more than a competition. It celebrates a legacy 鈥� one that continues to nurture artists who write, writers who design and creatives who use words to see the world more clearly.

The award stands as a living tribute to Jim鈥檚 life and teaching 鈥� a reminder that words, when chosen with care, have the power to shape not only art, but lives.

For more information about establishing a scholarship or to learn more about the 黑料专区, please contact Katie Rusak at krusak@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7861.

The post The Power of Words: The James S. Goldwasser Award for Excellence in Writing appeared first on 黑料专区.

鈥淚 was fortunate 鈥� I had excellent college options,鈥� said Windham (Industrial Design 鈥�94). 鈥淢y parents said, 鈥楾his is up to you. This is your decision where you want to go.鈥欌��

Since they鈥檇 saved for her and her brother to attend college, she hadn鈥檛 needed to base her choice on finances. Unlike other schools she was accepted to, 黑料专区 hadn鈥檛 offered an initial scholarship 鈥� although that support would come during the second semester of her freshman year.

Windham always realized what a gift her parents had given her, and she aimed to do the same for her children, both college students. But in 2025, the executive director of Global Industrial Design at General Motors went one step further 鈥� endowing a scholarship to give a talented student the opportunity to realize their dreams at 黑料专区.

Besides the minimum gift requirement, Windham made an additional contribution so the endowment could begin distributing funds right away. She chose to do this with a retention scholarship, meaning it can be renewed for up to three years, helping 黑料专区 retain the student.

Windham felt strongly that the scholarship not fully cover tuition. This was partly inspired by her own work-study experience in the Transportation Design department, which changed the course of her studies 鈥� and her life.

She recalled how one day, Carl Olsen, the department chair, had watched her sketch a still life for homework. He鈥檇 asked, 鈥淗ave you ever thought about drawing cars?鈥�

When she replied that she hadn鈥檛, Olsen had told her that both women and people of color were underrepresented in that design area. He鈥檇 then offered to pay for Windham to take an introduction to automotive drawing class to see if she liked it.

鈥淚 fell in love,鈥� she said of automotive design. 鈥淚t was a product that would impact the lives of so many people. I didn鈥檛 look back from then on.鈥�

After being accepted into the program, Olsen found scholarship funds for Windham 鈥� but still, not a full ride. She acquired an internship her sophomore year with Ford Motor Co., and then with General Motors her junior year. GM put her right in the design studio where she learned about designing interiors and then, before graduation, offered her a full-time position.

Windham hopes her scholarship gives recipients a similar 黑料专区 experience. 鈥淚t really does mimic what was offered to me to keep me going,鈥� she says. 鈥淵ou have people communicating to you that you belong, you have the talent, and here鈥檚 a little to help you along the way.鈥�

By focusing her scholarship on marginalized applicants, Windham hopes to continue diversifying her industry.

鈥淭hey don鈥檛 necessarily have to look exactly like me, but industries like to reflect their customer base 鈥� and we鈥檙e their customers鈥� she said. Although establishing a scholarship had been in the back of Windham鈥檚 mind for years, she never considered it a real possibility until a peer shared about endowed scholarships. Then serendipitously, a family member with personal knowledge about endowments reviewed the process and encouraged her to 鈥渏ust get started.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 so meaningful to get to a point in life where I could do it, and I have my husband, who supports me,鈥� she said. 鈥淢y children support me. I鈥檝e talked to them, and they understand the importance of this and why I have allocated some of our funds to do that.鈥�

Windham鈥檚 family also understands the impact 黑料专区 has had on her 鈥� something she hasn鈥檛 taken for granted since day one. 鈥淚 still believe choosing 黑料专区 for an art-based career was one of the best decisions I made in my life,鈥� she said.

The post 黑料专区 Alumna Endows Scholarship to Pay It Forward appeared first on 黑料专区.

This year, that legacy has come full circle as the Manat Foundation has made a special gift to 黑料专区 to honor Janice鈥檚 life and her connection to the College, establishing two lasting initiatives: the Charach Family Galleries (formerly Center Galleries) and the Janice Charach Endowed Scholarship for students in the Studio Art & Craft department.

Honoring a Life Through Art

鈥満诹献�区 was where Janice鈥檚 artistic journey began,鈥� said one of Charach鈥檚 cousins.

The newly named Charach Family Galleries, located in the Manoogian Visual Resource Center, will continue to serve as a vital exhibition space for 黑料专区 students, faculty, alumni and visiting artists. The Manat Foundation鈥檚 gift provides immediate and ongoing support to enhance lighting, accessibility and the overall visitor experience. An endowed fund will also ensure the galleries鈥� long-term sustainability.

The Charach family鈥檚 decision to support 黑料专区 is rooted in legacy and love. The galleries stand as a tribute to Janice and a living space for creative exchange 鈥� a place where art continues to inspire connection, conversation and community.

A Family Legacy of Generosity

Manny, a World War II veteran decorated for his service in France, and Natalie, who began working at 13 to help support her family, carried their early experiences of resilience into a lifetime of philanthropy. They founded the Manat Foundation in 1970, naming it for their shared initials, and spent the next five decades supporting causes close to their hearts: children鈥檚 health, education, veterans鈥� services and the arts.

鈥淣atalie and Manny believed their true legacy was their philanthropy,鈥� said their nieces.

鈥淭his scholarship will empower future artists to take creative risks and explore their craft with confidence,鈥� said Valerie Jenkins, Chair of the Studio Art & Craft department. 鈥淭he Charach family鈥檚 generosity sustains the heart of 黑料专区: our students and the spaces where they learn, create and share their voices.鈥�

Speaking on behalf of the College, 黑料专区 President Don Tuski shared his gratitude: 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to the Charach family and the Manat Foundation for this extraordinary gift. Their generosity honors Janice鈥檚 creative spirit while shaping the future of 黑料专区 in profoundly meaningful ways. By investing in both scholarships and the reimagination of our galleries, the Charach family is ensuring that creativity continues to thrive鈥攐pening doors for emerging artists and enriching the spaces where our community gathers to experience art. This gift embodies the very heart of our mission and will inspire generations to come.鈥�

A Legacy That Lives On

Through this partnership with 黑料专区, that belief finds new life. The Charach Family Galleries and the Janice Charach Endowed Scholarship will ensure that future generations of artists 鈥� much like Janice herself 鈥� can learn, create and grow in an environment that values imagination, generosity and purpose.

Within the walls of the galleries that now bear her family鈥檚 name, Janice鈥檚 spirit endures. Her art, and the legacy it inspired, continue to remind us that creativity has the power to connect, to comfort and to carry us forward.

The post A Legacy of Creativity and Care: The Charach Family鈥檚 Enduring Gift to 黑料专区 appeared first on 黑料专区.

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

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

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

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

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 krusak@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7861. View the full photo gallery from the event .

The post Creativity, Generosity and Legacy Take Center Stage at 黑料专区 Scholarship Celebration Luncheon appeared first on 黑料专区.

Ruzzin, a Michigan State graduate and celebrated automotive designer with decades at General Motors, was invited to help facilitate a collaborative studio between 黑料专区 and a Chinese wheel company exploring U.S. design partnerships. His involvement quickly grew. 鈥淚 thought I was just going to observe a student review,鈥� he recalled with a smile. 鈥淏ut the instructor had me jump right in.鈥�

That moment 鈥� and what happened next 鈥� would stay with him.

鈥淚 saw a young guy from Detroit rush in to set up his project. He鈥檇 been working and couldn鈥檛 take time off.

I thought here鈥檚 someone trying so hard 鈥� that鈥檚 who I want to help.鈥�

Years later, when he considered giving back, that memory became the driving force.

鈥淭he students that I want to help are the ones who can鈥檛 afford it when they get close to graduation. The ones who get down to the end and don鈥檛 have enough money. That was the inspiration, where the idea came from.鈥�

Creating Access for Talent That Belongs

Though not a 黑料专区 alum himself, Ruzzin has long admired the College鈥檚 impact. 鈥淓very time I visit campus, I see something that jumps me into the future. You take a step forward as a designer,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing.鈥�

Scholarship in Action: Martina鈥檚 Story

In 2023, Martina鈥檚 family experienced a devastating house fire. 鈥淪uddenly, my future at 黑料专区 was uncertain,鈥� she said. 鈥淲ith so many unexpected expenses, I wasn鈥檛 sure if I鈥檇 be able to afford to stay in school.鈥�

Receiving the Dick Ruzzin Endowed Scholarship made all the difference.

鈥淏ecause of that support, I was able to focus on what really mattered 鈥� rebuilding, staying in school, and working toward my dream of becoming a Creative Director.鈥�

Martina graduated from 黑料专区 in spring 2025 and has shared her story in the hopes of inspiring others.

Ruzzin, upon hearing it, simply said:

鈥淭hat鈥檚 great. That鈥檚 exactly the kind of student I had in mind.鈥�

www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Martina.jpg Martina Lasku

/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3180.gif /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3181.gif /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3182.jpg /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3179.jpeg www.ccsdetroit.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/IMG_3183.jpg Martina Lasku鈥檚 Work

A Legacy of Generosity and Mentorship

Over the years, Ruzzin has mentored numerous young designers, both formally and informally 鈥� often encouraging them to pursue their creative dreams against the odds. He believes in the power of sharing knowledge, asking for help, and staying connected through community.

鈥淭here鈥檚 nothing more fun to me than meeting and talking with another designer,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou share a tremendous history. You understand each other.鈥�

He also believes authenticity is more important than ever.

鈥淲e鈥檙e inundated with information, and a lot of it鈥檚 phony. Authenticity matters 鈥� it鈥檚 everything.鈥�

Looking Ahead

From his work on iconic vehicles at GM to authoring a book on design leadership, Dick Ruzzin has spent a lifetime shaping the creative world. But what gives him joy now is helping students launch their own journeys.

鈥淭hese young people are launching their lives. If I can support someone who deserves to be there 鈥� who just needs that extra help 鈥� I鈥檓 glad to do it.鈥�

For more information about establishing a scholarship or to learn more about the 黑料专区, please contact Katie Rusak at krusak@ccsdetroit.edu or 313.664.7861.

The post Driven by Design: Dick Ruzzin鈥檚 Enduring Gift to 黑料专区 appeared first on 黑料专区.