Outstanding Graduating Students

Frankie Matthews                                          Communication Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

Frankie Matthews has been selected as the Outstanding Communication Design Student for his exceptional talent, leadership, and character. Thoughtful and humble, Frankie consistently demonstrates a commitment to excellence in both design and collaboration. His work showcases creativity, precision, and innovation, making him a standout in the program. Beyond his technical skills, Frankie’s integrity and dedication make him a top-notch human being and an exemplary representative of our design community.

Audrey Slyter                                                        Fashion Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

Audrey is an exceptionally talented fashion designer, showcasing high conceptual and design aptitude alongside strong technical skills. With an insightful and contemporary perspective on design, she consistently pushes creative boundaries. Her industry experience through the co-op program further amplifies her expertise, blending practical knowledge with innovative vision to excel in the fashion world.

Wesley Reed                                                       Industrial Design / Bachelor of Science in Design

This year’s Outstanding ID Student was selected because of his consistent performance in the program, his dedication to continual improvement, and his positive personality as a leader within the ID 2025 class. Wes has an impressive run of hard-earned co-ops, and a robust portfolio of top-notch projects. The only thing greater than his drive to excel is his sense of grounded humility. We are proud to have students like Wes representing the program.   

Atousa Haji Hosseini                                                        Design / Master of Design

An introvert who embraced challenges, Atousa stepped beyond her comfort zone to lead participatory design activities, engaging the campus community. Partnering with UC Sustainability, she catalyzed a lasting impact. Her thesis showcased industrial design skills through iterative tool development and highlighted communication design’s power to make the invisible visible. A receptive learner who thrives on feedback, Atousa embodies excellence and deserves the outstanding graduate student award.

Michael Mumford                                                Architecture / Bachelor of Science in Architecture

Michael Mumford is an exceptional architecture student whose quiet demeanor is paired with a strong sense of leadership and the deep respect of his peers. He brings a bold and original perspective to his design work, unafraid to engage with complex ideas and challenging subject matter. In the classroom, he is a thoughtful participant, eager to contribute and push discussions forward with clarity and insight. He is a collaborative and trusted member of the studio. Michael is a student of uncommon depth, creativity, and promise.

Lauren McFann                                                          Interior Design / Bachelor of Science in Interior Design

Lauren McFann is an exceptionally talented student who brings great passion to her work. She has chosen to pursue what is arguably the most challenging capstone project in her studio from the standpoint of both programmatic complexity and scale. Her design approach demonstrates a notable commitment to combining theoretical rigor, conceptual ideas, and practical considerations. She goes well above and beyond in every design exercise. 

Gabby Dashiell                                                  Architecture / Master of Architecture

Gabby Dashiell's work has been consistently at the highest level. Her confidence and knowledge of materials and structure enables her to take intelligent, sophisticated and poetic risks from the building to the urban scale. Her memorable projects include a proposal for the Lloyd Library, an urban development on the Ohio River, and her thesis for a new neighborhood in Cleveland. Gabby's enthusiasm for service included work as a college ambassador and teaching assistant. She was also selected for the 2025 Metropolis Future100 Architecture Graduate Award. 

Chanhyo Jung                                                Architecture / Master of Science Architecture

Chanyho Jung's thesis explored the underexamined architecture of Chung-Up Kim, a prolific late modernist architect in Korea who practiced in the postwar period. Jung offered insightful analysis of his important contributions, recovering a character who exists outside of the modernist grand narrative.

Siyuan (Leo) Liu                                                  Architecture / Doctor of Philosophy

Leo wrote an outstanding dissertation that examined the changing understanding of authenticity and integrity in the world's historic conservation communities. He examined the origins of the terms in Nineteenth Century France and Britain and how these concepts were written into UNESCO World Heritage criteria. He also compared reconstruction projects in China, Poland, France and the United States to illustrate that these concepts appropriately vary according to their cultural context. This work will certainly be used as evidence that the world's conservation protocols need to be unmoored from their Western European origins.

Hannah Barton                                                                  Art History / Bachelor of Art History

Hannah Barton demonstrates academic excellence as a UC Honors student earning an Art History degree with a Spanish minor, and a Museum Studies certificate. Hannah has won numerous scholarships and awards for her outstanding research and writing, which she has presented at both local and national conferences. Through a series of internships and impressive volunteer work, Hannah actively contributes to education, research, and community engagement in the arts.

Ella Emanuel                                                               Fine Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts

For Ella Emanuel, curiosity and critical thinking come together in works that inform and challenge our understanding of perception. Through research into diagrammatic illustration, Ella reveals and revels in the slippage between attempts at efficient visual communication and the layers of meaning which surface under scrutiny. Ella’s work takes the form of sewn sculptural fabric pieces, referencing a history of quilt making- physically piecing together a form which simultaneously opens a space of uncertainty.

Gabrielle (Stichweh) Weaver                                          Art Education / Master of Arts

Gabrielle (Stichweh) Weaver was selected for her outstanding performance in the coursework and exhibition at the main street gallery in August 2024. Her research project focused on makerspaces and art education. She also presented her research at a conference in the UK.

Jeshua Schuster                                                          Fine Arts / Master of Fine Arts

Jeshua Schuster employs painting, printmaking, sculpture and drawing to explore the transmission of misinformation specifically in the context of imperialism and conflict. For his thesis exhibition he represents the cultivation of ducks in Europe during the colonial period as a metaphor for entrapment and political control.  Schuster is a valuable and articulate member of our art community and has led his cohort in various initiatives.

Avery Tanner                                                 Horticulture / Bachelor of Science

Avery Tanner is a student that is passionate, knowledgeable, and unique.  She is able to intertwine different areas of knowledge in a variety of fields to create works that are specific to her interests.  As Avery continues to expand her interests, she can incorporate that knowledge to expand fields. Unlimited by traditions, Avery puts a fresh perspective on horticulture with art, research, design, food deserts, engaging the community, and humor- and is able to get that across in her written and spoken words, images, and actions.

Lily Sider                                                                    Urban Planning / Bachelor of Urban Planning

Lily Sider is a deep thinker. Throughout her time in the BUP program, she has demonstrated a remarkable ability to dig into big topics, tease out complexity, and communicate her analysis in an engaging way. From plans to videos to written essays, Lily’s work always makes you stop and think. Her curiosity and creativity will no doubt make the School of Planning proud as she takes the next steps in her career. 

Jim Creamer                                                                Urban Studies / Bachelor of Science

Jim has displayed academic excellence in the classroom as exemplified by his excellent GPA and his consistent presence on the Dean’s List. He has earned a reputation among faculty and peers as a thoughtful and dedicated student. With a strong interdisciplinary background, Jim exemplifies the strength and potential of the Urban Studies program.

Christoph Ciurlionis                                              Community Planning / Master of Community Planning

Christoph Ciurlionis has consistently displayed academic excellence as exemplified by his excellent GPA. However, his numerous abilities go beyond his grades. During his graduate studies and research assistantship duties at DAAP, Christoph has shown a high level of dedication and motivation with the ability to deliver on numerous challenges even in areas new to him. Christoph is a mature, responsible, thoughtful, and sincere individual.

Rachel Carr                                                        Landscape Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture

Rachel Carr represents her colleagues within DAAP as an outstanding academic and scholar, she relishes opportunities representing our program and engaging with our professional organization (ASLA) volunteering at professional workshops and gatherings, and she holds the office of Vice-President of the program’s student ASLA chapter. Her work as a DAAP Ambassador and helping coordinate DAAPcares brings her enthusiasm and leadership talents to inspiring “DAAPers” and her collegiality and mentorship is recognized by her ambassador colleagues.