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Carthage student wins Ravinia poster competition, other awards

February 16, 2010

Senior Bryce M. Ulmer selected by Woman’s Board from more than 120 entries

Dec. 3 was a particularly good day for Carthage graphic design and Studio Art double major Bryce M. Ulmer ('10). After attending a day's worth of classes and giving an important final presentation on the development of artistic styles in 20th Century Ireland, Ulmer returned home ready to make plans for the rest of his 22nd birthday. As he pulled out his phone to call his girlfriend, Ulmer discovered an odd 847-area code phone number in his voicemail.

"I glanced down and I saw this strange number. I instantly thought of what it could be. My heart started pounding, and I began to think this might be one of my best birthdays ever," Ulmer said.

As he wandered around his apartment trying to find clear service, a woman's voice crackled through and confirmed what Ulmer had been hoping for. The Women's Board of Ravinia Festival had selected his poster design as the winner of their 37th annual poster design competition. The poster was unveiled at the annual Women's Board meeting on Jan. 26, 2010.

The design was selected from more than 120 national high school and college student entries. The poster, which features an abstract guitar in bright colors flagged by Ravinia's 2010 theme, "What will you celebrate?" will appear throughout Chicagoland this summer. It will also be offered for sale at Ravinia Gifts during the Festival and online at www.ravinia.org in March.

"Winning was just surreal," Ulmer said. "I really feel like this achievement has validated everything that I've learned at Carthage in both the Graphic Design and Art Departments over the last four years."

Ulmer first heard of Ravinia's annual poster contest during his tenure as vice-president of Carthage's Graphic Design club, Draft, in the fall of 2008.

"I submitted an entry to last year's Abraham Lincoln-themed contest at the urging of faculty advisor Professor Laura Huaracha and unfortunately I didn't place," Ulmer stated. "I was hoping for a better result this year. In my wildest dreams, I never expected to win."

The poster competition was judged by Ravinia President and CEO Welz Kauffman, Women's Board Chairman Jane Casper, Jennifer Wood, Nick Pullia, Russell Jenkins, Patrick Gipson, and Poster Design competition Chairmen Judy Castellini and Lisa Brown Tribbett. From the Ravinia website: "Since 1904, Ravinia has been Chicago's "sound of summer," a place where you can meet up with your friends, have a wonderful time and hear some of the greatest music in the world."

Judges noted Ulmer's strong layout, use of color and deft application of Ravinia's 2010 theme of celebration for his success in the contest.

More Awards Follow

Within mere weeks of hearing notification about Ravinia, Ulmer was greeted with more happy news regarding more awards. On Jan. 6, Ulmer's logo for the Chicago River Corridor Development Standards organization was chosen from a competition of fellow Carthaginians.

To top off the incredible winter, Ulmer, who works as a part-time graphic designer at the Kenosha News while attending Carthage, was awarded two 2009 Wisconsin Newspaper Association Foundation Awards in early February. Working with Kenosha News President and Carthage emeritus Trustee, Howard J. Brown, Ulmer captured the award for Best Niche Publication (In Paper) for 2008's The American Presidency. He also won a second place award for a special section detailing the Club at Strawberry Creek development on Kenosha's west side.

"I'm humbled by my successes," Ulmer stated, "but I think it speaks volumes to how a Carthage education prepares you to address the unique challenges of whatever field of employment you choose."