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Celebrate the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design in this round-up of recent accomplishments.

The Westphal Dean’s Office of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (IDEA), in partnership with the Westphal Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Council (DEIC), are pleased to announce the recipients of its inaugural IDEA-Development, Education, and Cultivation (DEC) Mini-grants. These small seed grants, in amounts between $500-1000 support projects that develop, educate, and cultivate inclusion, diversity, equity, and anti-racism in accordance with the College’s Strategic Plan.

Long before she was crowned by Sports Illustrated as the greatest woman athlete of all time, Jackie Joyner-Kersee was a kid in East St. Louis, Illinois, looking for a community. She found support in a local community center, and in her first exposure to athletics. Joyner-Kersee shared the ups and downs of her story with an engaged group of students from Drexel’s various BRIDGE (Build Relationships in Diverse Group Experiences) programs.

Visiting Assistant Professor of Screenwriting & Playwriting Jeffrey Stanley, in partnership with Bangalore Little Theatre, will oversee the short play contest Sultans and Soldiers: How Two Indian Muslim Kings Energized the US Revolutionary War. Open to Drexel students with majors in Cinema & Television, Dance, English & Philosophy, or History. Prizes include gift certificates to the Drexel Bookstore and the chance for winning plays to move forward to the development stage with Drexel and Bangalore Little Theatre – with a possible future production.

We are excited to announce that 91��Ƭ��’s Bachelor’s of Architecture is among 22 programs from 14 institutions nationwide to receive a U.S. Department of Energy Zero Energy Design Designation (ZEDD). This designation recognizes college programs that prepare students for 21^stcentury clean energy buildings careers.

With sadness, we share news of the passing of Rainer John “Ray” Westphal, trustee emeritus and ardent support of 91��Ƭ�� and the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.

In memory of former Interim Dean and Emeritus Professor David Raizman, family and friends established the David S. Raizman Endowed Memorial Award. David's energy and leadership impacted hundreds of colleagues and this Award will be given in his name for perpetuity. The Award recognizes a current faculty member who exemplifies distinguished service, teaching, and leadership in accordance with the values of the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design.

Varlo, the Cherry Hill-based triathlon performance line, collaborated with Hijabi athletes and current graduate Fashion Design student Sehlah Ahmad (’23) to develop the first hijab wear plus full coverage apparel to multisport.

Though Philadelphia is a city that wears its history on its sleeve, with a thriving tourism industry around the landmarks of early American democracy, many significant histories of the more recent past – like the leveling of Black Bottom – remain untold. Today, however, two different projects in the Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design engage with University City’s history of gentrification.

The Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design is excited to introduce our inaugural Associate Dean of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Francis Tanglao Aguas. Joining us from William & Mary College in Williamsburg, VA, Francis has already brought energy and ideas into our community as we strengthen a culture of belonging.

Drexel adjunct instructor of Animation & Visual Effects Mindy Johnson has been selected as the 2023 recipient of the June Foray Award from the Annies/International Animated Film Association (ASIFA-Hollywood). This juried award recognizes individuals who have made a significant or charitable impact on the art and animation industry.