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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (February 21, 2018)—The good news just kept rolling in last week for Milligan College sophomore Amy Shumaker.
First, the Bristol, Tennessee, native found out she was a finalist in Photographer’s Forum magazine’s Best of College and High School Photography Contest, selected among the top 8 percent of thousands of entries.
Then, at the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs), held Saturday in Johnson City, Tennessee, Shumaker learned that her photography not only had received two “Silver” awards, but also earned one of two American Advertising Federation of Northeast Tennessee (AAF-NETN) student scholarships, worth $500 and a one-year AAF-NETN membership.
“I wasn’t quite sure how to process it,” said Shumaker, who’s majoring in photography and graphic design. “It was a lot to take in at one time. I’m really grateful for Milligan in preparing me and giving me the opportunity to enter these competitions.”
When she graduates, Shumaker hopes to work as a photographer and graphic designer, maybe in the music industry in Nashville. She currently works as a student photographer for Milligan, taking photos at events, which she says has given her valuable experience, especially working with people.
Whether she’s exploring scrap yards or getting up close to old machinery, Shumaker’s favorite subject matter is vintage and antique objects, like the World War II B17 Bomber she photographed at an exhibition at the Tri Cities Regional Airport, or the cash register she captured at a North Carolina inn.
Shumaker is thankful for the training she has received from photography professor, Alice Anthony, and graphic design, Art Brown.
“Both professors have given me the opportunity to enhance my technical work, as well as my eye for design and composition,” said Shumaker. “Before I came to Milligan, I was just taking pictures of whatever came across my path, of what I saw around me. At Milligan, I learned to take pictures of what everyone else sees around them.”
“Amy is doing what it takes to excel by submitting her work to various competitions….and winning,” said Dr. Carrie Swanay, chair of Milligan’s Area of Performing, Visual and Communicative Arts. “She is an excellent photographer, and we are extremely proud of her.”
In addition to Shumaker, two other students made the finals in Photographer’s Forum: senior Mitchell Hancock, of Morris, Illinois, and junior Ashlyn Lightfoot, of Orlando, Florida.