Commencement-2020-Program

18 COLLEGE OF THE ARTS STUDENT SPEAKERS Molly Jacobs MOLLY JACOBS is graduating with a master’s degree in architecture, after studying visual arts in undergraduate. She chose architecture in order to positively affect our built environments, to bring positive change to social, ecological, and emotional landscapes through architecture. Molly received multiple scholarships and awards during her time at Portland State, including the Laurel’s Graduate Award, the Denis P. Nordstrom Scholarship, and the Rudolph L. Barton Travel Fellowship. Each of these awards helped her tremendously, especially the travel fellowship which inspired her thesis research project. After graduation, she hopes to begin interning at an architecture firm and work towards licensure as an architect in the next few years. Her goal is to make the world a better place for everyone to inhabit, one drawing, design, or conversation at a time. Molly would like to thank her parents and siblings for supporting and encouraging her, as well as her partner, Matt, who inspires her every day. She would also like to thank her mentors, instructors, and colleagues who have all contributed to her success, and who made her time at Portland State memorable and meaningful. Caitlyn Sparkman CAITLYN SPARKMAN is graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design. Born and raised in Oregon, she considers it a privilege to have attended school in the heart of one of the state’s most vibrant cities. She is a first-generation college student, and she completed her program as a full-time worker and commuter student. Ms. Sparkman is inspired by the ability of design to empower people, tell complex narratives, and solve both large and small scale problems. Her personal interests lie in design research and history, and how they can be used to create lasting and meaningful work for audiences. She is thankful for the resources and connections the Graphic Design program at Portland State has to the larger community, giving students the best support in transitioning to the professional world. Her biggest accomplishments from Portland State came from the ability to collaborate with other talented designers, musicians, filmmakers, and local businesses. Ms. Sparkman looks forward to becoming more involved in local arts communities in Portland and hopes to explore leadership roles in these communities before returning to college for a graduate degree.

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