黑料专区

When Dick Ruzzin stepped onto the 黑料专区 campus more than a decade ago to support a design project, he had no idea it would spark a lasting connection with the College 鈥� or that it would eventually inspire him to create the Dick Ruzzin Endowed Scholarship.

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

With the help of 黑料专区鈥檚 advancement staff, Ruzzin established what began as an annual scholarship and later evolved into a permanent endowed fund. His intent was clear: to support committed, creative students who might otherwise be forced to leave their education behind.

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

One of the students supported by Ruzzin鈥檚 gift was Martina Lasku, a Communication Design major in the Class of 鈥�25.

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 [email protected] or 313.664.7861.

黑料专区 Fashion Design student Maxwell Honeycutt has been selected for the prestigious . He is one of 40 students chosen by Television Academy members from across the country for the 2025 Summer Internship program and the only student selected for costume design. The Foundation offers paid internships at top Hollywood studios and production companies annually to college students nationwide.

Honeycutt, a senior this fall, will intern this summer with three-time Emmy庐 nominated Hollywood costume designer through the Foundation鈥檚 program. Terry Gordon is a renowned costume designer who has worked on hit television shows such as Happy鈥檚 Place, The Queen鈥檚 Gambit, One Day at a Time and The Nanny.

鈥淏eing selected by Television Academy members鈥攖he very professionals who determine Emmy Award winners鈥攆eels absolutely surreal and deeply humbling,鈥� said Honeycutt. 鈥淭he realization that industry veterans who shape television saw potential in my application makes my heart sing. This incredible opportunity has given me a profound new perspective on my career aspirations and the path ahead.鈥�

鈥渰What excites me most about this internship is} the opportunity to experience the authentic, day-to-day reality of costume design beyond the glamorous image people often associate with the field,鈥� said Honeycutt. 鈥淲hile the red-carpet moments are certainly exciting, I鈥檓 eager to dive into the practical, hands-on work that happens behind the scenes鈥攆rom initial concept development and fabric sourcing to fittings, alterations, and problem-solving on set. I want to understand the craft from the ground up, learning the technical skills and workflow that make those final, polished moments possible.鈥�

鈥淚 dream of a career that combines my passion for design with my desire to explore the world, learning from different communities and translating their stories, traditions, and aesthetics into compelling costume work for film, theater, or television,鈥� said Honeycutt.

Originally from Michigan, Honeycutt attended Northville High School in Northville, MI.

The Television Academy Foundation shapes the art of creating television by engaging and educating the next generation of television professionals providing essential resources that help them discover their voices, refine their skills and forge rewarding careers in every sector of the television industry. The Internship Program provides over 50 students from across the nation with hands-on work experience, mentorships and opportunities for accelerated career development in more than 30 disciplines annually.

About the Television Academy Foundation Established in 1959 as the charitable arm of the Television Academy, the Television Academy Foundation is dedicated to preserving the legacy of television while educating and inspiring those who will shape its future. Through renowned educational and outreach programs, such as The Interviews: An Oral History of Television Project, Access: Behind the Screens, College Television Awards, Student Internship Program and the Media Educators Conference, the Foundation seeks to widen the circle of voices our industry represents and to create more opportunity for television to reflect all of society. For more information on the Foundation, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com/Foundation.

黑料专区 alumna Elizabeth Salonen made waves at NeoCon 2025, partnering with Bernhardt Design to create a captivating experience in their showroom, Space 320 at The Mart. Salonen, a distinguished multidisciplinary artist-designer, has unveiled 鈥淢editations on Canvas,鈥� a series of seven meticulously hand-stitched large-scale works that truly embody her unique Finnish design ethos: functional beauty intertwined with a deep connection to materiality.

Salonen鈥檚 creative journey is extensive. She founded Mottoform, her design studio, in Helsinki in 2005, later moving its base to Ontario, Canada. Her expertise spans a wide array of disciplines, from product design, ceramics, and textiles to interiors, lighting, and the crafting of collectible art and objects.

Her innovative work has garnered international acclaim, including the prestigious honor of being named Industrial Designer of the Year in Finland in 2012. She graduated from 黑料专区 with a degree in Industrial Design.

黑料专区 (黑料专区) student Eli Archer tapped into his Hoosier heritage as the 20-year-old sophomore from Indiana emerged victorious in the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear Official Poster Competition on Wednesday, April 2. Archer鈥檚 colorful creation captured the thrill of racing on the Streets of Downtown Detroit while highlighting the Grand Prix鈥檚 connection to the local community and the summertime vibe of the Motor City.

The final judging of the annual student poster competition took place at the 黑料专区 A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in Downtown Detroit, where a distinguished panel of judges selected Archer鈥檚 design from the five final contenders. The winning artwork will be refined over the next few weeks before the official poster is revealed on Tuesday, May 6. The 2025 commemorative poster will be available for purchase online at www.DetroitGP.com in advance of the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, May 30-June 1.

The 2025 design competition represents the 13th consecutive year of collaboration between the Grand Prix and 黑料专区, offering students at Detroit鈥檚 renowned art and design college the opportunity to create the official poster for the city鈥檚 annual summer racing festival. This competition is more than a showcase of artistic talent 鈥� it embodies the power of art to unite communities, celebrate diversity and provide a platform for 黑料专区 students to express their unique and shared experiences.

鈥淲e are so excited to celebrate the 13th year of our unique collaboration with the 黑料专区 and we are honored to build on the tradition of the Official Grand Prix commemorative poster and provide opportunities for young talented artists to shine,鈥� said Bud Denker, Chairman of the Detroit Grand Prix and one of the judges of the annual competition. 鈥淓li鈥檚 poster design captures the personality of Detroit, along with the fun and the excitement of the Grand Prix.鈥�

All five student finalists in the competition presented their poster designs to the eight-member judging panel on Wednesday as the aspiring artists each described their vision and process behind their creations. Judges included Denker, Raphael Zammit, Chair of the Graduate Transportation Design program at 黑料专区; Ryan Root, Performance, Motorsports and Accessories Designer for General Motors; Erika Cryderman, Senior Marketing Specialist for Lear Corporation; Bobby Keyes, Vice President of the Detroit Sports Media Association; Neal Rubin, columnist for the Detroit Free Press, Genna Barner, Page Designer for the Detroit News and FOX2 Detroit news anchor and reporter Amy Lange.

Detroit Grand Prix fans also factored into the selection process. The top five designs were posted on the Detroit GP social media platforms as followers were encouraged to vote for their favorite design. Fan voting was factored into the decision of the on-site judges to determine the results of the competition.

Archer鈥檚 winning poster design featured a young woman roller skating through the streets of Detroit while waving checkered flags for both the NTT INDYCAR SERIES car and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship prototype racing on the Grand Prix circuit in front of a cheering crowd and the GM Renaissance Center.

鈥淚 just thought roller skating was a different way to incorporate the cars into the design. I wanted this poster to personify Detroit and reflect Detroit in the cars and the cars into the race,鈥� said Archer, who is from Zionsville, Ind., a suburb of Indianapolis. 鈥淚鈥檓 so shocked to win this competition, especially seeing how strong the designs were from the other competitors. This was such a fun process and I really liked learning about the history of the Detroit Grand Prix and what it means to the city.鈥�

The five finalists were students from the 黑料专区 Digital Illustration class, led by instructor Brian Kotulis. 黑料专区, a renowned art and design college in Midtown Detroit, attracts some of the nation鈥檚 top illustration and design talent. Each spring, the Grand Prix provides these students with a platform to showcase their skills through the annual poster design competition, which is integrated into their class curriculum.

Archer鈥檚 design won in a close competition with the second-place entry designed by 黑料专区 student Robin Contreras, while the artwork created by Luca Olgren came in third place to complete the poster podium. Students Jacob Nguyen and David Klink earned honorable mention recognition for their poster designs.

This hands-on experience allows students to work with a real 鈥渃lient鈥� and produce a final professional product. The competition not only fosters creativity but also upholds the Grand Prix鈥檚 heritage of creating commemorative posters, a tradition that dates back to the inaugural Detroit Grand Prix in 1982. Thanks to a partnership between the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear and the Detroit Sports Media Association, each of the top five designers in this year鈥檚 competition will receive a small scholarship in recognition of their outstanding work.

The 35th Grand Prix event in the City鈥檚 history will return to the 1.7-mile, nine-turn Streets of Downtown Detroit circuit that runs along the award-winning Detroit Riverwalk, May 30-June 1, 2025. With new viewing options and entertainment packages, fans can purchase tickets at www.DetroitGP.com/Tickets or through the event鈥檚 Ticket Hotline at 888-811-PRIX (7749). For more information on the 2025 Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix presented by Lear, visit www.DetroitGP.com.

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ABOUT THE DETROIT GRAND PRIX

The Detroit Grand Prix is a 501(c)3 organization and a subsidiary of the Downtown Detroit Partnership. Scheduled for May 30-June 1, 2025, the event will return to the Streets of Downtown Detroit. The Grand Prix will include the Chevrolet INDYCAR Grand Prix featuring the cars of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the sports cars of the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the rising stars of racing competing in INDY NXT by Firestone. For more information, visit DetroitGP.com and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram.

Each year two students will be selected to be awarded $50,000, to be dispersed over 4 years. Gilbert Family Foundation also announced scholarship support for pre-college summer workshops and completion scholarships aimed at retaining students.

Gilbert Family Foundation and 黑料专区 (黑料专区) today announced a new $1 million grant to expand the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship. This new funding is in addition to the $1 million committed by the Foundation in 2023, bringing the total endowment to $2 million.

In Fall 2024, the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship provided support for one 黑料专区 undergraduate student. Moving forward, the fund will provide two scholarships each year, covering four years of tuition for two selected students from Detroit. To qualify, recipients must reside in Detroit, be a graduate of a Detroit-area high school and demonstrate financial need, as determined by the 黑料专区 Office of Financial Aid.

鈥淒etroit has a long history of leading the world through art, design and innovation,鈥� said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. 鈥淓xpanding this scholarship offers more talented students in Detroit access to the resources and opportunities needed to pursue an artistic career. These students are the next generation of creative leaders who will shape the future of Detroit鈥檚 art and design community.鈥�

This scholarship does more than cover educational costs; it gives students the stability they need to focus on their education and artistic growth. Without financial stress, they can develop their skills, explore new creative opportunities and contribute to Detroit鈥檚 vibrant arts scene.

鈥淭his scholarship means a lot to me. It鈥檚 given me a chance to get out there in the art world and continue creating,鈥� said Chris Romero Hernandez, GFF Scholar 鈥�25. 鈥淚t鈥檚 been my heart鈥檚 desire to work as an artist. I don鈥檛 know how to express my genuine gratitude and thanks to Gilbert Family Foundation. This scholarship means I have the chance to study and train in my craft to one day make my dreams come true.鈥�

In addition to the endowed scholarships, Gilbert Family Foundation has also committed $50,000 for 12 pre-college scholarships in the summer of 2025, as well as $25,000 for completion scholarships to support the retention of enrolled juniors and seniors from Detroit. This comprehensive support aims to address the specific barriers Detroit students face when pursuing careers in the arts, particularly concerning financial access and early exposure.

Gilbert Family Foundation鈥檚 continued support aligns with 黑料专区鈥檚 mission to create accessible and transformative educational experiences for students from our community.