On Saturday, October 7, Pratt Institute’s Alumni Achievement Awards 2017 will be presented to five accomplished alumni during a special “Dîner en Noir” catered dining event to be held as part of Alumni Day 2017 on the Brooklyn campus. The awards recognize outstanding Pratt graduates who have distinguished themselves in their fields, are highly respected among their colleagues and in the general community, and whose impact has been felt at the regional, national, and/or international level. Award recipients are chosen by a committee of similarly accomplished professionals, including past Alumni Achievement Award honorees.
This year, Alumni Achievement Awards will be presented to:
Lillian E. Benson, ACE (B.F.A. Art and Design Education), a television, video, and feature film editor whose professional work over the past four decades has garnered five Emmy nominations, four Peabody Awards, and numerous other honors.
Charles Churchward (B.F.A. Communications Design ’71) a renowned art and design director best known for his design direction at Condé Nast of both Vogue and Vanity Fair, as well as his work on House & Garden, Mademoiselle, and Teen Vogue.
William Porter (M.I.D. ’58), chief designer at General Motors from 1957 to 1996, who left an indelible mark on the history of American car design with the 1968 Pontiac GTO, the 1970–1973 Pontiac Firebird 400, and the 1997 Buick Park Avenue.
Jean Shin (B.F.A. Painting ’94; M.S. Art History & Criticism ’96), an installation artist known for her site-specific works incorporating everyday objects and her large-scale permanent installations commissioned by major public agencies, including the MTA’s Second Avenue Subway 63rd Street station in New York City. Shin is Adjunct Professor of Fine Arts within Pratt Institute’s School of Art.
Frank “Fraver” Verlizzo (B.F.A. Communication Design ’72), who has created poster art for over 300 Broadway, off-Broadway, regional, and international productions, including the art for The Lion King, Sweeney Todd, Deathtrap, Our Town, and Sunday in the Park with George.
The “Dîner en Noir” event is part of Alumni Day 2017, which will offer a range of events and opportunities for alumni to rediscover the Institute and reconnect with classmates and friends. Find more information about “Dîner en Noir” and the Alumni Day 2017 schedule of events, and instructions on how to register.
Learn more about the 2017 Alumni Achievement Award winners.
Image: (L–R) Frank Verlizzo, Lillian E. Benson, Charles Churchward, Jean Shin, William Porter