Celebrating the Class of 2026 | | Noah Vaughn (above, right) celebrates his B.S.M. degree in Commercial Music, Recording and Production, with minors in Music Technology and Music Industry, at Purdue Fort Wayne's Spring 2026 Commencement. Before graduation, Noah secured a full-time job at Sweetwater working in music sales. He's loving it so far! | | Ready to walk! The VPA Class of 2026 lines up to walk across the stage at Spring Commencement. | | Spotlight on Class of 2026 Senior Honors Theses | | |
Department of Art and Design
Francesca Carlo, a 2026 PFW Exemplar student, used her web design skills to highlight plastic pollution in Lake Erie and encourage environmental action in her community through her B.F.A. thesis project, "ECO ERIE."
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Department of Art and Design
Win P. Hliang, pictured here with Rebecca Coffman, chair of the Department of Art and Design, presented her senior Honors thesis project, "Visual Storytelling and Emotional Awareness in Children's Narratives." Hliang used her graphic design skills to write and illustrate an accompanying picture book.
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School of Music
Andrew Danielson, pictured here with faculty mentor Dr. John Romey, presented his senior Honors thesis project titled “The 21st Century Meets the 17th Century – Building a Digital Continuo Pipe Organ,” the culmination of two years of hard work.
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Department of Theatre
Nikolas Prathaftakis, pictured here with faculty mentor Dr. Julie Lyn Barber, presented his senior Honors thesis project, “Developing a Musical from Scratch,” about the writing of his original musical, RE-TALE!
| | CVPA Students Graduating with Honors | | |
Andrew J. Danielson
Major: Music and an Outside Field (Pipe Organ, Piano, and Early Music) Minor: Journalism
Francesca Carlo
Major: Art and Design, Concentration: Web Design
Minor: Information Technology
Julie Tran
Major: Biology
Minor: Art and Design
Lilian Frankewich
Major: English
Minor: Art and Design
Nikolas Prathaftakis
Major: Musical Theatre
Owen Keck-Priest
Major: Popular Music: Recording and Production
Stephanie Case
Majors: Popular Music: Recording and Production, Physics
Win P. Hlaing
Major: Art and Design, Concentration: Graphic Design
Miranda Thomas
Major: Art and Design, Concentration: Web Design
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The Interior Design Class of 2026 pose with Dr. Suining Ding, professor of interior design, at the opening of their senior project exhibition earlier this spring.
Congratulations, Interior Design Class of 2026
Josselyn Amaya Hernandez, B.S. Interior Design
Project: Enhancing Indoor/Exterior Environment
Taylor Beavers, B.S. Interior Design
Project: Coalescence University
Mariah Gross, B.S. Interior Design
Project: Modern Minds, Sustainable Spaces
Pahola Jimenez, B.S. Interior Design
Project: A High School for Pathways of Learning: Universal Design Integration
Jason Kendall, B.S. Interior Design
Project: Eden Paradis Modern Villa
Anna McGinnis, B.S. Interior Design
Project: Therapeutic Biophilic Design
Kaya Wolfe, B.S. Interior Design
Project: The Bloom Residence
| | Congratulations, Art and Design B.F.A. Graduates | | Seniors in the PFW Department of Art and Design B.F.A. program present their senior thesis projects to the community at the opening of the B.S. Interior Design & B.F.A. Thesis Exhibition on April 4, 2026, in the Allen County Public Library's Jeffrey R. Krull Gallery. | | |
Class of 2026
Hailey Cain, B.F.A. Web Design
Francesca Carlo, B.F.A. Web Design
Gwendolyn Corley, B.F.A. Graphic Design
Win Hlaing, B.F.A. Graphic Design
Aurora “Rori” Maul, B.F.A. Ceramics
Diego Munoz, B.F.A. Graphic Design
John Parapi-Angulo, B.F.A. Graphic Design
Colin Parker, B.F.A. Web Design
Alexa Ross, B.F.A. Ceramics
Parker Van Osdale, B.F.A. Sculpture
Natalie Wakefield, B.F.A. Graphic Design
| | Dean's Dream Comes True: Breaking Ground on the New Dorothy and Paul Shaffer Fine Arts Gallery | | Chancellor Ronald Elsenbaumer (center right), Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Carl Drummond (far left), and more, pose with donor Dorothy Shaffer (fourth from right) and Dean John O'Connell (third from right) at the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Dorothy and Paul Shaffer Fine Arts Gallery on May 7, 2026. | |
"Dorothy, thank you. You've made my dream come true."
-Dean John O'Connell
On the eve of his retirement, CVPA Dean John O'Connell's dream of building a spacious, secure art gallery large enough to hold the work, imaginations, and ambitions of decades of future artists, finally came true with the help of dear friend to Purdue Fort Wayne and the local artistic community, Dorothy Shaffer. Expected to open in late fall 2027, the new gallery will address the needs of the growing department.
| | | An exterior rendering of the new Dorothy and Paul Shaffer Fine Arts Gallery, courtesy of Design Collaborative, showing how the new gallery will transform and elevate the entrance to the existing Visual Arts Building. | | |
Purdue Day of Giving a Success for CVPA
With a total of 126 gifts and $233,790 raised, CVPA ranked 3rd in overall donations on PFW's biggest fundraising day of the year.
With these funds contributing to student scholarships, research, and travel grants, you are having a direct and lasting impact on the academic and professional success of our Mastodons and investing in the future of the arts in higher education and the state of Indiana.
Thank you to those who participated!
| | Four Beloved CVPA Faculty Officially Retire | | Thank you for your years of service to PFW, CVPA, our students, and the community! | | |
John O'Connell
Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
Department of Theatre
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John Hrehov
Department of Art and Design
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James Williams
Department of Art and Design
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Peggy Farlow
School of Music
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We're Gonna Miss Him!
CVPA Sends Off Dean O'Connell in Style
| Dean O'Connell stands proudly by the newly named John O'Connell Stage in the Williams Theatre. | | On April 30, The Walb Student Union's international ballroom was packed with friends, faculty, staff, students, and alumni; all there to wish Dean O'Connell well on his way to retirement. | The evening included a performance by the clarinet ensemble, led by Kylie Stultz Dessent and Chris Dessent; a medley of musical numbers from shows John directed in his time in CVPA; speeches by those who knew him best; plenty of food, laughs, and just a few tears. | | A showman to the very end, Dean O'Connell entertains the packed crowd at his retirement celebration. | | CVPA Celebrates Two New Faculty Hires | | Dr. Roger David has accepted the position of Director of Choral Studies in the School of Music. Dr. David is a music educator and recent graduate of Michigan State University, where he completed a Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting and was a recipient of a University Distinguished Fellowship. | |  | Tim Parsley has accepted the position of Assistant Professor of Painting and Drawing in PFW's Department of Art and Design. Professor Parsley joins CVPA from the University of Saint Francis, Fort Wayne, where he has served as Program Director for Studio Art since 2020. | | | |
Austin M. Rausch Honored for
Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
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Assistant Professor of Theatre Austin M. Rausch is this year’s recipient of the Leepoxy Plastics, Inc. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching. This honor recognizes outstanding contributions to undergraduate learning. Rausch’s work highlighted effective use of Universal Design for Learning and gamified, activity-based approaches in theatre courses, creating multiple pathways for students to engage in analysis, discussion, writing, and creative interpretation. The committee commended him for his continued commitment to inclusive, creative, engaging, and rigorous educational experiences. In addition to being surprised with the award while teaching last month, Rausch will be honored at the 2026 CELT Fall Teaching Conference in August.
Rausch and Andrea Bearman also recently presented on "Gamified UDL Strategies to Humanize Learning and Foster Belonging," at the Midwest Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Conference.
| | Congratulations, 2026 CVPA Faculty Award Winners! | | |
2026 CVPA Excellence in Service Award
Dr. John Egger
Dr. John Egger’s service to the School of Music encompasses a wealth of student organizations and services, including advising the college’s chapter of the National Association for Music Education (NAfME), planning and hosting an annual retreat for music education students, and creating and hosting “Be a Music Teacher Day,” a new and highly successful educational and recruiting event for the school.
At the College level, Dr. Egger serves on the Dean’s Executive Committee, the CVPA Tenure and Promotion Committee, and the Curriculum Committee. At the University level, his service has included chairing the University Resources Policy Committee, serving as a Faculty Senate representative, participating on the CARE Team, contributing to the Student Success Council, and working with CELT through the advisory board, conference planning, proposal review, and award review.
Dr. Egger is also committed to creating opportunities for our local community, as evidenced by his founding of an after-school Fusion Band for Fort Wayne 7th- and 8th-graders. His service to the profession includes serving as the chair of the Indiana Music Education Association and as the Chair-Elect of NAfME’s Gender and Sexuality Special Research Interest Group for the 2027–2029 term.
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2026 CVPA LTL Excellence in Teaching Award
Elaina Robbins
As an applied voice teacher in the School of Music, Elaina Robbins has demonstrated a commitment to her students and her own teaching development that both students and faculty note. In his letter of support, Dr. Matthew Giallongo states that “she meets students where they are and puts in the sustained effort required to help them improve. I have observed her give significant time and energy to some of our weakest students, encouraging them to make positive changes and supporting their growth over time.” He also mentions that she is “committed to her own growth as a teacher. She seeks out feedback and guidance when needed and is willing to adjust her approach to better serve her students. This openness contributes positively to the voice area and reflects a professional attitude toward teaching.
| | CVPA Photography Faculty Member Starts the Summer "Senior Selected and Festival Accepted!" | | |
Graduating senior and PFW Top 50 student Miranda Thomas (left) recognized James Gabbard (right) as an official "Senior Selection" for helping her grow creatively and professionally in photography.
“He gave challenges on assignments, which allowed me to grow in photography tremendously,” Thomas wrote.
Senior Selection, a new recognition initiative, invited graduating seniors to identify the mentors, advocates, encouragers, and supporters who helped shape their time at PFW and contributed to their success both inside and outside the classroom.
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James Gabbard's piece (right) was accepted into the international juried call for entry in the Chania International Photo Festival. Exhibiting in the category of Nature Photography, Gabbard's work will be displayed in Crete, Greece later this summer. | | | | |
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Dr. John Romey and the Kekionga Early Music Collective are the focus of this feature article for Whatzup by Wheat Williams.
At their most recent concert, Kekionga Early Music performed with several talented faculty and students- Dr. Julie Lyn Barber, soprano; Dr. William Sauerland, countertenor; Emily Thompson, violin; Andrew Danielson, harpsichord; and Romey on viola da gamba.
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Congratulations, Dr. Egger!
Dr. John Egger has received an Agile Grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Fort Wayne on behalf of the School of Music's Music Education program. The $2,626 in awarded funds will be used for instructional materials that support our Choral, Instrumental, and General Music Education courses.
| | Three Art and Design Students Earn Top PFW Academic Honors for Spring 2026 | | |
2026 Exemplar
Francesca Carlo
Program: Web Design
Hometown: Chardon, Ohio
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Top 50
Dorian Soto
Program: Art Education
Hometown: Lebanon, Indiana
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Top 50
Miranda Thomas
Program: Art and Design
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana
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For Those About to Rock
(Their Careers in the Music Industry)...
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Thanks to the generosity of our VPA donors and Dean John O’Connell, Dr. John Romey was able to take a group of School of Music students to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH this spring for a day of professional development. While there, the students had candid, in-depth conversations about careers in music and culture with the Rock Hall staff and affiliated scholars.
Kathryn Clusman, Director of Education and Community Engagement, opened the morning by mapping the range of careers that an institution like the Rock Hall makes possible. Brad Scarton, Curatorial Manager, offered a frank look at the work behind the exhibits — how collections are shaped, interpreted, and brought before the public. Professor Daniel Goldmark — a leading musicologist in American popular music, film music, and music and animation, and Director of the Center for Popular Music Studies at Case Western Reserve University — led a rich session on how historians and curators construct the stories we tell about rock and roll, a conversation that resonated deeply with the questions at the heart of the course. John Goerke, Director of Fan Engagement & Onstage Experience, closed the afternoon with a look at the Hall's own history and evolution as an institution. Throughout the day, students made meaningful professional connections with scholars and professionals they would not otherwise have had the chance to meet. Students also had time to explore the Rock Hall's exhibitions at their own pace, including two compelling special exhibitions: one celebrating revolutionary women in rock and roll, and another marking fifty years of music on Saturday Night Live.
“Before the group gathered for dinner in Cleveland and made the drive back to campus, there was a palpable sense that the day had opened doors — intellectually and professionally.,” Romey said. “Back in the classroom, students carried the experience with them. The weeks following the visit saw rich critical conversations in which students wove together what they had witnessed and heard at the Rock Hall with the academic readings they had been engaging with all semester — exactly the kind of integrated learning the trip was designed to cultivate.”
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Kalia Smith's photo, Vinyl Wall, (left) was accepted into the international juried call for entry in the Chania International Photo Festival. Exhibiting in the category of Portrait Photography, Smith's work will be displayed in Crete, Greece later this summer.
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These Dons Got Talent!
The talented students of CVPA showed up and showed off for Don's Got Talent, the Student Government Association's annual student talent show.
Trademark Pending (right) won in Best Band, with Josi Fisher, a junior majoring in Music Therapy, on guitar!
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This past weekend, Music Industry and Popular Music Major Hailee Richmond had the opportunity to volunteer at the Middle Waves Festival at Headwaters park in Downtown Fort Wayne. She got firsthand experience working “behind the scenes” at a music festival. “As someone who is interested in Festival and Event Operations, this was a great experience," said Richmond. "Last Saturday marked the tenth year of Middle Waves, and it was a huge success!"
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Man of the Flood performs at the tenth annual Middle Waves festival. Photo credit: Cassie Mayhew | | |
A local band partially comprised of CVPA alumni, Man of the Flood, opened this year's tenth annual Middle Waves Festival in Headwaters Park on June 6, 2026. Coming off the recent success of their second album release, “Sorry, Puppy!”, they started the festival off strong with a high energy set, their dedicated fans in attendance and singing along to every song.
School of Music Alumni in Man of the Flood (pictured):
Jess Grant - Keys, Vocals (left)
PFW '24 BSM in Music Industry and Popular Music
Quinn Heiking - Front Man, Guitar, Vocals (center, front)
PFW '23 BSM Music Industry, Minors in Music Technology and Business Studies
Clayton Beehler - Drums (center, back)
PFW '23 BSM Music Industry, Minor in Music Technology
Man of the Flood is described as a progressive indie rock band. If you'd like to see what the hype is about, look for them performing around Fort Wayne this summer, with upcoming shows at the Guitar Exchange and The Landing.
| | WE KNEW THEM WHEN: We're proud to say that Man of the Flood found their start and recorded their first album with PFW's in-house record label, Goldtop Records, in the early 2020s. | | | |
Congratulations to Spring 2026 School of Music graduate Noah Vaughn! He's only been working at Sweetwater for a few months, but he's already made his mark and won "Gear Exchange Curator of the Month" at his new employer. Keep up the great work, Noah!
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Rising Fort Wayne band OHMS released their second single, "Smother," in early June. Made up of current PFW students and recent alums, OHMS has the distinction of being the only band featuring current students to make the line-up for the most recent Goldstock festival.
Not only is OHMS composed of PFW students and alumni, but their go-to audio engineer, Noah Vaugh, is also a recent PFW graduate. We love to see our students sticking together and celebrating successes! Look for "Smother" wherever you stream music.
OHMS (pictured, L to R)
Pheonix McClain - Drums
PFW '26 BSM Commercial Music
Lukas Bradford - Guitar
PFW Student
Mary Paris - Frontman, Vocals
PFW '26 BSM Commercial Music
Owen Keck-Priest - Guitar
PFW '26 BSM Commercial Music
Conner Hogsten - Bass
PFW Student
Read more about OHMS in this Whatzup article by Nick Braun from January!
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Purdue University Fort Wayne College of Visual and Performing Arts
Purdue Fort Wayne is an accredited institutional member of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM), and the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST).
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