Student News, 2023–2024

Hearty and heartfelt congratulations to all of our students on your many achievements, and on completing what we trust was a rich and fulfilling academic year. Special congratulations to those students who graduated this year. Please stay in touch with the department and your professors!

Adelle Aba (B.A. Art History; Chemistry minor ‘24) served on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year.

Elizabeth Abraham (B.A. Art History/B.S. Biology ‘24) was this year’s valedictorian of the College of Arts & Science. Elizabeth received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Tahreem Akif (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin the M.S. Program in Urban Planning in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation this fall.

Selah Rae Austria (B.A. Art History/Medieval and Renaissance Studies ’24) successfully defended her honors thesis in the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Program. She served as Secretary and on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year. In a few months Selah will move to Scotland to begin the Master of Letters in Museum and Heritage Studies Program at the University of St. Andrews.

Morgan Austrich (B.A. Art History; Urban Design and Architecture Studies minor ‘25) was a recipient of a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant for Spring, 2024, and was named the Larry and Klara Silverstein Research Scholar for her senior honors thesis research.  

Taylor Baker (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin NYU’s M.A. Program in Historical and Sustainable Architecture this fall.

Elizabeth Baltusnik (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies/Spanish and Portuguese ‘24) served as Editor-in-Chief of Ink and Image this year—her second year in a row in that demanding role.

Ian Beard (B.A. Art History/Mathematics ‘24) received The Barbara and Ben Aliza Award, presented to a deserving graduating art history major whose NYU studies have been multidisciplinary, and who has demonstrated a commitment to seeing the world through many prisms.

Emma Broad (B.A. Art History ‘23) received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Jaelynn Bueno (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Fall, 2023, and was named the Sidney Probst Research Scholar. Jaelynn also received a Faculty Choice Award from the Program for Urban Design and Architecture Studies.

Claire Charvet (B.A. Art History ‘24) has been admitted to the M.A. Program of the Institute of Fine Arts beginning this fall.

Dustin Chen (B.A. Art History/Classics/Philosophy ‘24) received the College of Arts & Science Alvin H. Zagor Memorial Prize this year. This fall Dustin will begin Princeton University’s Ph.D. Program in Art & History and Archaeology, and will study early modern art and architecture.

Yifan Chen (B.F.A. Tisch/B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin the Master’s Program at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts this fall.

Will Cordry (B.A. Art History ‘24) will begin the Master’s Program at the New York School of Interior Design this fall.

Gabe Galper (B.F.A. Steinhart, Studio Art/B.S. Business of Entertainment, Media and Technology ‘26) served as Treasurer and on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year.

Tianna Gonzales (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘25) was the recipient of a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Spring, 2024.

Dora Hana Hauache (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) was the recipient of a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Spring, 2024, and a Faculty Choice Award from the Program for Urban Design and Architecture Studies.

Helene Holland (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Fall, 2023.

Yi Hu (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin the Master’s Program in Liberal Studies at the Dartmouth Guarini School of Graduate and Advanced Studies this fall. 

Spencer Hurley (B.A. Art History ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Pepe Karmel, and received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History. Spencer will begin the M.A. Program at the Courtauld Institute of Art this fall.

Camilla Johnson (B.A. Art History/International Relations; Creative Writing minor ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Kathryn Smith. She served as an editor of Ink and Image this year. Camilla was the recipient of a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Michelle Leidecker (B.A. Art History/Recorded Music; Childhood and Adolescent Mental Health Studies minor, ‘24) recently completed a Social Media Internship at the Guggenheim Museum during academic year 2023–24, and will complete a summer internship as part of the MuSe Program at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Adrienne Arsht Internship. 

Yingqi Liu (B.A. Art History) successfully defended her honors thesis, “Conquering the Monstrous Other: A Comparative Study of Giants and Monstrous Races in Shan Hai Jing and Wonders of the East,” written under the supervision of Professor Dennis Geronimus. Yingqi will begin the M.A. Program at NYU’s Institute of Fine Arts this fall.

Julia E. Mejia (B.A. English ‘24) served on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year.

Audrey Miller (B.A. Art History/B.F.A. Tisch Drama ‘24) was named a University Honors Scholar. Audrey is the recipient of a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History and the Bevya Rosten Memorial Award from Tisch Drama. This semester, Audrey completed an Honors Theatre Studies thesis, advised by Professor Laura Levine and titled “Do Not Say ’tis Superstition”: Examining Religious Imagery in the Texts and Adaptations of Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale and Romeo and Juliet.” As Audrey reports, “This April, I discussed my thesis at the Arts-Based Undergraduate Research Symposium in a panel titled ‘Adaptation and Translation: The Power of Art in Crossing Disciplinary and Linguistic Boundaries.’ This summer I will be a member of the NYU Global Awards’ Application Development Cohort, working on applications for graduate schools and global awards.” 

Rowan Na (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies; Studio Art Minor ‘24) reports this news: “In spring I was honored with the Josh Goldfaden Award, a recognition I am deeply proud of. This accolade was a result of my commitment and dedication to my studies and research. Furthermore, my architecture project, under the guidance and nomination of Professor Alvaro Bonfiglio, has been successfully published in the Spring 2024 edition of Gallatin Confluence. Titled ‘A Wave Meditation Room at Pier 62 NYC,’ this publication marks a significant milestone in my academic journey at NYU, showcasing my work to a broader audience.”

Isabel Oldham (B.A. Art History ‘24) received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Marina Ongaro (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘25) received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Spring, 2024, and was named the Dr. Evan and Brooke Kaye Research Scholar.

Cèlia Pardillo-Lopez (B.A. Art History/French ‘24) has been admitted to the Williams Graduate Program in the History of Art, with an offer of a two-year fellowship including a full tuition waiver and an annual stipend. She successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision Professor Dennis Geronimus. Her thesis research was supported by a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund grant, and she was named the Herman J Weschler Research Scholar in the Fine Arts on the basis of the strength of her proposal. She presented her research at NYU’s Undergraduate Research Conference on May 3rd. Cèlia served as Design Editor for Ink and Image this year. She was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, New York Chapter, and received The Sam Gates Art History Award from the Department of Art History, presented to an outstanding graduating student in art history.

Koen Powell (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘25) received The Kayla Stotzky Memorial Award, presented to an outstanding junior in our Program for Urban Design and Architecture Studies.

Maria Rentel (B.A. Curation, Gallatin School of Individualized Studies; Art History minor ‘25) sends this news: “During the Spring ’24 semester, I interned at White Columns, a contemporary art gallery and the oldest alternative artist space in New York City. During my time interning at White Columns we were reviewed twice in the New York Times.

Helena Sabas (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin NYU’s M.A. Program in Historical and Sustainable Architecture this fall.

Steven Shi (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin the M. Arch Program in Columbia University’s Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation this fall.

Claudia Smithie (B.A. Art History/Environmental Studies; Italian Studies minor ‘24) received the College of Arts & Science Alumni Award for a high level of scholarship, College involvement, and University leadership. She served as an editor of Ink and Image this year. Claudia was elected to membership in Phi Beta Kappa, New York Chapter, and received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Sam Spray (B.A. Art History ‘24) received the Douglas F. Maxwell Award, presented to a graduating senior for excellence in the study of art history, and to be used for travel outside of the USA to see and study original works of art.

Jihong Sung (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Fall, 2023. Jihong will begin the M.Arch Program in the University of Pennsylvania’s Weitzman School of Architecture this fall.

Naomi Tang (B.A. Art History ‘24) received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Ryan Tao (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘25) participated in the NYU Global Urban Showcase in Fall, 2023, presenting a paper on “Analysis of the Urban Composition of the Jacob Riis Houses.”

Han Lu (Amanda) Tao (B.A. Art History ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Pepe Karmel. She received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Leo Wan (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies ‘24) will begin the Master’s Program in Urban Planning in NYU’s Wagner School of Public Service this fall.

Isabel Waring (B.A. Art History/Urban Design and Architecture Studies major; German minor ‘25) participated in the Undergraduate Art History Session of the Southeastern College Art Conference (SECAC) in October 2023, delivering a talk titled “African Origin of Civilization: A Case Study of the Impacts of Colonialism.” Over the summer she will be working for the second consecutive year as a curatorial assistant for the Huntsville Museum of Art in her hometown of Huntsville, Alabama. Isabel received the H.W. Janson Scholarship, presented to a junior major for excellence in the study of the history of art.

Meghan Watters (B.A. Art History; History minor ‘24) has been admitted to the Bard Graduate Center’s M.A. Program in Decorative Arts beginning this fall. She successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Dennis Geronimus. Megan served as an editor of Ink and Image this year, and received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Alexandra (Jamie) Wyskiel (B.A. Art History ‘24) received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Haewon Yang (B.A. Art History ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Pepe Karmel, and received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Katelyn Yang (B.A. Art History; Creative Writing and French Studies minors ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, written under the supervision of Professor Finbarr Barry Flood. She held internships at Christie’s and Les Enluminures this academic year. Katelyn was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, New York Chapter, and received a Faculty Choice Award from the Department of Art History.

Daniel Yao (B.A. Art History ‘24) received the Jane Costello Memorial Award, presented to a graduating senior for excellence in the study of the history of art.

Natalia Zamora (B.A. Gallatin, with a concentration in Art History and International Relations; Spanish minor ‘25) served as President and on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year.

Helen Zhao (B.A. Urban Design and Architecture Studies/Comparative Literature ‘24) received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant in Spring, 2024. She was named the Joan C. Suttles Estate Research Scholar, and received the Ada Louise Huxtable Award from the Program for Urban Design and Architecture Studies, presented to an outstanding graduating senior with the highest grade-point average and most promise for future success in the field of urban design and architecture.

Shiwen Zhu (B.A. Computer Science ‘26) served as Social Media/PR Officer and on the Executive Board of the Fine Arts Society this year.

Lila Pearl Zinner (B.A. Art History ‘24) successfully defended her honors thesis, titled “Muses, Utilities, and Instruments: The Surrealist Exaltation of the Female Concept,” written under the supervision of Professor Shelley Rice. For this research, she received a CAS Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund Grant. Lila presented her thesis at the Dean’s Undergraduate Research Conference on May 3rd. Lila is set to graduate cum laude, in the top 15% of her class. For her academic excellence, Lila earned the NYU Founders’ Day Award and was named a University Honors Scholar. And, she ran the Brooklyn Half Marathon two weeks before graduating!