Arts & Culture

College of Visual and Performing Arts Announces 2019 VPA Scholars

Friday, February 8, 2019, By Erica Blust
two rows of head shots

From left, top row, Robyn Adams, Sanobar Chagani, “Harold” Kaiyuan Chen, Claire Duncan, Janie Kahan and Crystal Letona. From left, bottom row, Holly McDowell, Kyra Meister, Abigail O’Reilly, Jacob O’Shea, Aria Sivick and Ashley Tisdale.

Twelve seniors in Syracuse University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) have been named VPA Scholars, the college’s highest undergraduate academic honor.

The VPA Scholars program was established to recognize the achievements of the college’s top seniors. Students are selected based on academic performance, creative/scholarly work and service to the college and the community. The scholars are recognized at VPA’s annual convocation ceremony, which will be held during the University’s Commencement Weekend on Saturday, May 11, at 7:30 p.m. in the Carrier Dome.

The 2019 VPA Scholars are:

  • Robyn Adams, an industrial and interaction design major in the School of Design
  • Sanobar Chagani, a communication and rhetorical studies major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • “Harold” Kaiyuan Chen, an industrial and interaction design major in the School of Design
  • Claire Duncan, an industrial and interaction design major in the School of Design
  • Janie Kahan, a film major in the Department of Transmedia
  • Crystal Letona, a communication and rhetorical studies major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • Holly McDowell, an acting major in the Department of Drama
  • Kyra Meister, a communication and rhetorical studies major in the Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies
  • Abigail O’Reilly, a computer art and animation major in the Department of Transmedia
  • Jacob O’Shea, a voice performance major in the Rose, Jules R. and Stanford S. Setnor School of Music
  • Aria Sivick, a theater design and technology major in the Department of Drama
  • Ashley Tisdale, an acting major in the Department of Drama

VPA is committed to the education of cultural leaders who will engage and inspire audiences through performance, visual art, design, scholarship and commentary. The college provides the tools for self-discovery and risk-taking in an environment that thrives on critical thought and action. Learn more at vpa.syr.edu.