Every year, the Ringling College of Art and Design Board of Trustees proudly awards its highest honor—the Trustee Scholarship—to the students who best exemplify dedication, originality, brilliance, ambition, and talent in their field of study, as well as service to the College and to the community. In addition to this extraordinary recognition, Trustee Scholars also receive a $5,000 scholarship. The runners-up each receive a $1,000 scholarship.

The faculty of each qualifying department and representatives from the Office of Student Life nominate two students from the junior class in their areas for consideration as Trustee Scholars for the following year. Nominees are required to submit a written statement and a portfolio of their work for the Trustee Scholar Selection Committee, comprised of members of the Ringling College or Art and Design Board of Trustees, to review. That committee then meets to consider each nominee and, after robust and spirited discussion, selects the Trustee Scholar class to recommend to the Board of Trustees. 

“Each of this year's nominees was an amazing representative of the nominating department and of Ringling College,” confirmed Dr. Larry R. Thompson, president of Ringling College. “Though the Trustees were truly challenged in selecting this year's recipients from the nominees, as they are every year, they did arrive at a recommendation which was approved on May 8, 2020. All of the students nominated should be commended for their work, which distinguished them as being among the best in their majors and Student Life.”

It is important to note that, because it is a new major that does not yet have any rising seniors, no nominees were solicited from the Virtual Reality Development major. Nominees from that major will be eligible for consideration in the academic year 2020-21 to represent the 2021-22 class of Trustee Scholars. The Entertainment Design major will be eligible the following year for the 2022-23 class. Scholars and nominees will be celebrated by the Board of Trustees at an event in November (date to be confirmed). Ringling College congratulates all of these extraordinary students for their selection as 2020-21 Trustee Scholars and for being nominated!

Click here to watch the full Trustee Scholars video.