Graphic design graduates win scholarships to Watkins College

Lydia Light and Julian Baker, two Pellissippi State graduates and sweethearts who met while taking classes, have learned they won’t be far apart for the next two years.

Both have been awarded the Dean’s Award of Portfolio Excellence scholarship from Watkins College of Art & Design in Nashville.

Light and Baker earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Media Technologies with a concentration in Communication Graphics Technology. Baker graduated this spring. Light graduated fall 2006, then continued taking courses.

The award is a one-time $2,000 scholarship toward tuition for full-time enrollment. Light and Baker were awarded the scholarship based on the portfolio materials they submitted to Watkins.

Because of an agreement between the colleges, Pellissippi State students who graduate with the degree Light and Baker earned are able to enter the Watkins Bachelor of Fine Arts degree program in graphic design as juniors, without loss of credit.

Both say they were thrilled to learn they had been admitted to the college. Then, when they both were awarded the scholarship, they were “blown away.”

“Since we’ve both lived here our whole lives,” said Light, “we’re really excited to expand our horizons.”

Baker agrees. “Nashville will be a new city and new scene for us.”

“This is a great achievement for these students,” said Todd Duren, a CGT instructor.

“Their achievement is further evidence that Pellissippi State has developed an exceptional design program that allows students to develop their creativity in a ‘real world’ educational environment while preparing for the professional world.”

The pair plans to pursue a degree in graphic design. Light hopes eventually to work for an advertising or creative firm. Baker has a similar goal, and the couple says a move to the West may be in the future.

“We’ve really worked through our studies as a collaborative team,” said Baker.

Light elaborates. “We have each others’ back—each of us is like the other one’s pillar of artistic support for projects and working through creative processes.”

Thanks to the agreement between the colleges and the monetary boost from the scholarship, the duo is guaranteed at least two more years of working as a team.

Founded as Watkins Institute in 1885, Watkins College of Art & Design and the Watkins Film School offer a B.F.A. in film, graphic design, interior design, fine arts and photography, as well as a postgraduate certificate in film.

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