Since 1976, The Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) has honored the top 1% of students who are able to maintain a record of academic excellence while also giving back to their community through civic or volunteer work, conducting research, or being engaged in co-op or work in their field of study.
RIT is pleased to pay tribute to these undergraduates who have demonstrated devotion to excellence is an inspiration to the university community.
This year, BC graduate Maggie Blaisdell was an honored recipient of Outstanding Undergraduate Scholar Award! The criteria are as follows:
1. Undergraduate students at RIT who maintained a minimum grade point average of 3.85 out of a possible 4.0.
2. Completed 83 credit hours of study, more than two-thirds of the credit hours required for a baccalaureate degree.
3. Students are also selected based on other factors complementing academic achievement, such as creative work, service on student committees, civic activities, employment, and independent research.
The school wrote about Maggie, "A graduate of Bishop Carroll Catholic School in Pa., Maggie is pursuing a BFA in graphic design. In addition to being a member of the RIT Honors Program, Maggie is a two-time recipient of the Community Impact Award for Service and Leadership. She is currently the President of the Newman Catholic Community and served as the community’s volunteer coordinator. Last year, she interned at the Community Arts Center of Cambria County, where she led an 82-foot mural project from ideation to completion. At RIT, Maggie served as a graphic designer for RIT’s Performing Arts Department and Student Auxiliary Services. She won the AAF Buffalo Portfolio Review and 2018 Imagine RIT Poster Contest. Following graduation, Maggie plans to go into the workforce."
Each recipient of the award nominated a teacher from high school that was most influential to them. Maggie chose to honor her mother, BC art and religion teacher Mrs. Karen Blaisdell. Maggie wrote of her mother, "Mrs. Blaisdell taught me all four years of high school as my art teacher – and my entire life as my mother. It is because of her that I had the confidence to pursue a creative career and the skill set to make that dream possible. In Art 1 of my sophomore year, she had us create grid portraits; it was the first time that I made a piece of art where I surprised myself. That project launched a drive that continued through senior year and after. At a high school focused on math and science, the administration allowed Mrs. Blaisdell to create advanced art courses for students. She guided me and pushed me to grow. In my senior year, she had me draw a pinecone from observation. While I had major difficulty with the project, she would not let me give up. On National Portfolio Day, the RIT reviewer accepted my portfolio after seeing the pinecone drawing. She enjoys reminding me of that story and the importance of perseverance. Without the continued support and teaching of my mother (who, even now, gives me plenty of advice on projects) I would not be the graphic designer, or person, that I am today."
Congratulations to both Maggie and Mrs. Blaisdell on receiving these outstanding awards!