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Written by Pete Rosenbery Tuesday, 14 August 2007 13:03

News - Student News and Awards

CARBONDALE, Ill. ó Six current and former students in Southern Illinois University Carbondale's Cinema & Photography program achieved excellence recently at the 32nd annual Paducah Summer Festival Photo Competition.

The top three finishers were cinema and photography graduates, while three current or former students earned honorable mention for their work. Cinema & Photography is within the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts.

The competition in July featured 434 entries from 157 photographers in six states. A total of 70 prints comprise this year's show, according to event organizers.

"It continues to show that our photography program is a strong program and is vital in the region," interim MCMA Dean Gary P. Kolb said. "Our students have consistently been winners in regional and national competitions and this reinforces that and shows the tradition is alive and well."

Patricia A. Rutter of Carbondale earned first place and $500 for her color print, "The Road." Event organizers describe the print ó taken in fall 2006 ó as "a wedding fantasy in which the bride and groom follow Dorothy down the yellow brick road."

"I am honored to be chosen among such a talented group of students in the cinema and photography department at SIUC," Rutter said. "It is a great testament to the excellent instruction given by the cinema and photography faculty as well as many other supportive people in the College of Mass Communication and Media Arts."

Rutter earned a master's degree in Mass Communication and Media Arts with an emphasis in photography in May. She earned a bachelor's degree in design from SIUC in 1999, and a second bachelor's degree from SIUC in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography in 2003.

Stephanie Ann Schorfheide of Carbondale finished second for her black and white print titled, "After Sophie Left the Relationship Unexpectedly, Harold Felt He Could No Longer Go On," and received $350. She earned a bachelor's degree in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography in May.

Chrystal Lea Nause of Makanda finished third for her color print titled, "Quedam," and earned $250. She is currently a graduate student in anthropology. She earned a bachelor's degree in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography in May 2005. She earned a second bachelor's degree in administration of justice in December 2005.

Ann Dodge, also of Makanda, earned honorable mention and received $75 for her work titled, "Andrea," a black-and-white silver gelatin print. She earned a bachelor's degree in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography in 2004.

Jennifer L. VanBrooker of Germantown Hill, received honorable mention and $75 for her work titled, "Beth," an environmental portrait of VanBrooker's friend and her dog. She earned a degree in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography in May. She is the daughter of Damien and Joyce VanBrooker.

Jason A. Martin, a senior in cinema and photography with an emphasis in photography, earned honorable mention and $75 for his work. He is the son of Jeff and Marj Martin of Moline.

The exhibition runs through Sunday, Aug. 26, in two downtown Paducah locations: Tribeca Mexican Cuisine Gallery, 127 S. Second St. on Market House Square, and the Maiden Alley Cinema Gallery, 112 Maiden Alley.