Kutztown University Spring 2018 Commencement Program

Speakers VICKI MELONEY is an award-winning graphic designer and associate professor of communication design. She graduated from Kutztown Uni- versity in 1993 and received her M.F.A. from Temple University. Prior to teaching, Meloney worked with regional, national and international clients in industries from healthcare to hospitality, environmental to education and everything in between. Meloney is one of the founders of the university’s Designathon, an annual event where students, faculty and alumni come together to volunteer 24 hours of their time over one weekend to create pro-bono design work for area non-profit organizations. Over the years this event has donated more than a million dollars of design services to the community. Meloney co-created, Replace the Hate, a non-partisan, grass roots effort to build communal ties, renounce hate and rejoice in diversity through creative expressions and community art-making workshops. The images from these workshops have won national and international design awards, and have been celebrat- ed in traveling gallery exhibitions. The work carries individual messages from the artists that echo the sentiments of peace, love, hope and tolerance. Meloney also owns and operates a freelance design business where she focuses her passion and design skills to benefit small start-ups, non-profit organizations and giving back to the community. She enjoys bringing people together and specializes in elaborate, high concept invitations and event graphics. MEREDITH HEYDT is graduating today with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Communication Design. While at KU, she was a member of the women’s swim team where she was a two-time PSAC Scholar-Athlete. She has served as a student men- tor in the Department of Communication Design and has participated in Designathon, the 24-hour event serving local non-profits. Heydt is the recipient of a coveted Graphis New Talent award and has been a graphic designer with Sorrelli Jewelry since her sophomore year. She is currently working as a design intern in the studio of Joe Bosack, one of the country’s most well respected designers of sports branding. After graduation, Heydt’s goal is to work as a designer in the sports industry.