2023 Outstanding Students
School of Design
Marcus Djuhadi Communication Design / Bachelor of Science in Design
Throughout his time in the Communication Design program, Marcus has consistently demonstrated excellence in his academic and studio work. He has been recognized by Graphic Design USA as a 2023 Student to Watch. His critical questions, attention to detail, and rigorous approach to design as both an inquiry and a craft have produced exemplary projects. He has been both a supporter and leader amongst his peers. Outside the classroom, Marcus’s work with Design for America shows his commitment to putting design to work for positive social change.
Chutine Wei Fashion Design / Bachelor of Science in Design
Chutine Wei is an exceptional example of dedication, integrity, and professionalism. Throughout her career at DAAP, Chutine has demonstrated exceptional technical and design skills, excelling in coursework across the program. She is held in high regard by her instructors and peers, all of whom are always appreciative of her thoughtfulness and spirited energy. Chutine’s excellence has been recognized through numerous scholarships and external partners, chiefly the Fashion Scholarship Fund.
Allison Widzinski Industrial Design / Bachelor of Science in Design
Ally Widzinski is a student who excels in our program. Her strong capacity to grow has stemmed from her ability to listen, apply newfound knowledge, and DESIGN! In class, her work ethic is at the highest level. She is organized and focused. While focused, Ally is never too busy to share her knowledge with her peers. Sharing, collaborating, and exceptional skills make her the perfect candidate for the ID Outstanding Senior Award.
Loran Sanvido Design / Master of Design
Loran Sanvido is a praiseworthy Master of Design student dedicated to research, innovation, and application. She is self-motivated, sensitive, thoughtful, and vigorously embraces a challenge. Driven by her intellectual curiosity and sensitivity to substantive design issues, Loran’s work ethic is extraordinary. Given her phenomenal strengths, she remains modest, respectful, and open to critical dialogue. Her demeanor is friendly and empathetic. Loran Sanvido exhibits unlimited aptitude as practitioner, educator, and leader in the design community.
School of Architecture & Interior Design
Donovan Staab Architecture / Bachelor of Science in Architecture
Donovan possesses a unique talent that blends an innate creativity with a solution-focused approach. Driven by his commitment to discover and integrate design technology into his work, he consistently delivers projects that are surprising, rigorous, and, above all else, innovative. Donny's design talents and intellect are complimented by his altruistic teamwork and readiness to assist his peers. His exemplary character has earned him a reputation as an exceptional collaborator, leader, and friend. Donny, and his work, are truly unique.
Brianna Schaaf Interior Design / Bachelor of Science in Interior Design
Brianna Schaaf is an exceptional student who continually sets a high bar for the studio. Brianna is a very thoughtful, creative and rigorous student who isn’t afraid to challenge conventional norms. She is not intimidated to take risks and works hard to see her ideas through. For the last five years Brianna has been on the Dean’s list, and been an active member of the DAAP Tribunal and IIDA.
Lamia Albunni Master of Architecture
Lamia was selected as one of Metropolis magazine’s Future 100 and was the student representative to the AIA Large Firm Roundtable conference. Her thesis “Migrating Sandscapes: From the Microparticle to the Architecture” is a rich investigation using desert sand from the Saudi desert as design inspiration, a construction material, and as a metaphor for thought as drivers for a refuge and study center north of Rhiad. Her design and writing capture the culture of nomadism and its impact on contemporary theory and the poetics of the Saudi desert.
School of Art
Madelyn Shea Fine Arts / Bachelor of Fine Arts
Madelyn Shea is an exceptional and engaged student. Top of her class, with fantastic academic and leadership skills, her artwork has undergone huge transformations over the course of her time at DAAP. She has built strong conceptual and technical skills, is an avid reader and writer, and is meticulously organized. Further, she demonstrates generosity to her peers – offering valuable critique, insights, and support to those she works alongside. We look forward to following Madelyn’s career as she graduates and takes on the world.
Stella Kelley Art History / Bachelor of Arts
Stella Kelley is an excellent student who pursues academic and professional opportunities with a personal drive and enthusiasm that is quite admirable. She is a member of the University Honors Program and will earn a bachelor’s degree in Art History, with a minor in Fine Arts and a certificate in Museum Studies. Stella completed a semester-long internship at the Contemporary Art Center and spent a semester studying abroad at the Academia Italiana in Florence, Italy.
Dani Clark A/rt Education / Master of Arts
We selected Dani Clark because of the interdisciplinary research she explored in the program. Her work as an artist-educator equips healthcare providers, patients, and communities with art and literary skill to improve care and patient-provider communication; ultimately, paving the way for more arts integration within medicine that supports co-constructed, collaborative care. Through interdisciplinary research and community collaborations, she aims to cultivate critical compassion within her community and larger public health systems.
James McKenna Fine Arts / Master of Fine Arts
James McKenna’s tireless work ethic has taken him, and his faculty and fellow students, on an unpredictable and exhilarating creative journey. Responding enthusiastically to critical input from others, James quickly evolved from metal sculptures to experiments in large-scale drawings, installations, and performances. His Wolfstein Fellowship funded an inspiring walk across part of Iceland and his memorably atmospheric final CAC thesis show was an outstanding environment of metal supports and draped dyed tarpaulins resembling walking specters.
School of Planning
Stella Dionysiou Horticulture / Bachelor of Science
Stella Dionysiou has achieved high marks throughout her academic career and had the highest GPA in her class. She has been recognized by the American Society for Horticulture Science as a 2023 award winner. Stella has demonstrated strong personal initiative, determination and has achieved academic success in her chosen discipline. She has worked up to 25 hours a week during her academic year, including a seasonal position at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. Stella has been a student representative for a VAP search in the School of Planning. She is a Cincinnatus scholarship recipient and a member of the UC Honors Program.
Jay Leman Urban Planning / Bachelor of Urban Planning
Jay Leman is an exemplary student - a talented artist with a probing mind and strong work ethic and a tireless advocate for environmental justice issues and ecological restoration. Jay entered the program as a scholar with an exceptional academic record and has exceeded expectations with success. Jay has also been actively engaged in speaking for the environment and communities disproportionately impacted by environmental and social disparities. Civic advocacy and activism are valuable traits for planners and Jay’s empathy for the causes are applaudable.
Lucille Jordan Urban Studies / Bachelor of Science
Lucy Jordan has displayed academic excellence in the classroom as exemplified by her high GPA, having parlayed her success at Walnut Hills into similar success in the Honors Program at UC. She has demonstrated the ability to navigate academic life with flexibility, moving from urban planning into urban studies, and onto law school. In her courses, Lucy was a good team member, displaying a strong work ethic, and always open to criticism, propelling her to greater levels of achievement. She is a strong and positive force in the classroom and will no doubt continue to inspire her colleagues.
Darby Schozer Community Planning / Master of Community Planning
Darby Schozer has a talent for combining creativity with an attention to detail. Her work products stand out because of her incisive analysis, clear prose, and compelling narratives. The way she works is impressive because of her strong organization and time management. Darby has maintained her stellar academic record while interning at the City of Cincinnati. She has represented herself well to the School of Planning and the City. She will no doubt continue to represent DAAP well in the planning profession.
Gauri Patil Landscape Architecture / Master of Landscape Architecture
Gauri Patil represents excellence in her ability to absorb information and to carefully consider its context, meaning, and ultimately its value – she exhibits critical thinking skills that allow her to design, to lead, and to make her mark. From her role as president of the student chapter of ASLA to her pace-setting role in her graduating class, Gauri continues to excel creatively, academically, professionally, and collegially.
Seunghoon Oh Regional Development Planning / Doctor of Philosophy
Seunghoon Oh excelled during his time here at the University of Cincinnati and graduated with a Master in Science in Applied Economics and a Ph.D. in Regional Development Planning. Hoon further demonstrated excellence in his applied research work and has published as many as four papers in peer-reviewed journals. He has received the prestigious Charles Tiebout prize in Regional Science for his contribution to the understanding on how transit revenues impact employment growth and create opportunities for low- skilled workers in Ohio.