The Art Institutes Honored With Top Awards By Association Of Private Sector Colleges And Universities

PITTSBURGH, May 23, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) has honored The Art Institutes education system and its graduates with three top awards – the Hall of Fame Emeritus Award, the Hall of Fame Award and the Most Innovative Best Practices/New Program Award. The awards are being presented at APSCU's annual national convention, "Opportunity for All," June 5 through 7 in Orlando, FL.

"We are deeply honored by this recognition from our peers in higher education," said John Mazzoni, President of The Art Institutes schools. "Our pride in the success of the two graduates receiving Hall of Fame awards reflects our commitment to student and alumni success. We are equally pleased to receive an award for our newest program of study, Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing. The Art Institutes has worked hard to remain responsive to the needs of the industries we serve, as exemplified by this innovative program."

The first ever Hall of Fame Emeritus Award is being presented to Carol Guzy, Associate of Applied Science, Photography, 1980, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Tiffany Derry, Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts, 2003, The Art Institute of Houston, will receive the 2013 Hall of Fame Award. The Art Institute of California – Orange County, a college of Argosy University, is being honored with the Innovative Best Practice / New Program Award for Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing.

About Carol Guzy, Winner of the APSCU Hall of Fame Emeritus Award
Associate of Applied Science, Photography, 1980, The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale

After earning a degree in nursing, Carol Guzy decided to switch career paths and attended The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where she earned her Associate of Applied Science degree in Photography. Guzy was hired by the Miami Herald, and won her first Pulitzer Prize in 1986 for her coverage of the Nevado del Ruiz volcano eruption in Colombia.  After eight years, she became a staff photographer for the Washington Post, where she remains today. 

Guzy won three more Pulitzer Prizes for her work in Haiti and Kosovo, making her the only journalist to ever receive four Pulitzer Prizes. She has covered dozens of domestic and international stories and has been recognized every step of the way for her humanitarian coverage of the disadvantaged. Guzy has also given back to her community by serving as a Robert F. Kennedy (RFK) Journalism Award Committee Member, giving presentations about photography to students, and volunteering at the Washington Animal Rescue League. 

"The Hall of Fame Emeritus Award honors a graduate of an APSCU member school who has gone on to achieve great heights in his or her field of study, and has had an immense impact on their profession and surrounding community," said Steve Gunderson, president and CEO of APSCU. "Carol is one of the most decorated photojournalists and we are proud of the impact she has had since her graduation from The Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale. Her commitment to her work and her community are the reasons APSCU is honored to award her with the 2013 Hall of Fame Emeritus award."

About Tiffany Derry, Winner of the APSCU Hall of Fame Award
Associate of Applied Science, Culinary Arts, 2003, The Art Institute of Houston

Immediately after graduating from high school, Derry enrolled in The Art Institute of Houston to hone her culinary talents. She had already discovered her flair for the food industry by working her way into a management position at her local IHOP while still a high school student. 

After graduating from The Art Institute of Houston, she worked for some of the top restaurants in the Houston area, including Pesce and Grotto Cucina Napolitano. Competing on Season 7 of "Top Chef," Derry was voted "fan favorite" and made it to the final four.  She was invited back for "Top Chef: All Stars" where she was again a finalist. 

In 2011, Derry teamed up with Patrick Halbert to open their restaurant Private|Social in Dallas to great accolades.  In fact, Private|Social and Derry's cooking received a 4-star review from The Dallas Morning News. Recently, Derry has moved on from Private|Social to focus on the development of her own company, Tiffany Derry Concepts, which supports both her business and culinary ventures. She now partners with some of the world's most recognized brands while also appearing on television shows and giving back to schools and food banks in Texas. 

"The Hall of Fame Award recognizes a graduate of a private sector school who has achieved noteworthy success in their chosen career field," said Steve Gunderson. "Tiffany Derry is a terrific example of a successful graduate who also contributes to her community and her alma mater. She is clearly working to make the most of the education she received at The Art Institute of Houston."

About The Art Institute of California – Orange County, Winner of the APSCU Innovative Best Practice/New Program Award
With the development of the Bachelor of Science in Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing program of study, The Art Institute of California – Orange County, along with other Art Institutes school locations that offer this new program, has proven its forward thinking, strategic focus and ability to remain relevant with a large and rapidly evolving industry. The program aims to keep pace with the new wave of digital content by teaching students how to create and modify different platforms of new media. Combining instruction from graphic design, coding and user experience modules, the Bachelor of Science in Designing for Tablets: Digital Publishing program teaches a combination of highly sought after skills. The program ensures students are fluent and capable of taking full advantage of the industry-current technology by using teaching tools like tablets, Mac and PCs, and Adobe design and creative software.

The Most Innovative Best Practice / New Program Award recognizes a member institution or campus that has contributed to the private, postsecondary school sector through successful implementation of innovative methods benefitting the school, students, and/or the community at large. "The Art Institute of California – Orange County is a perfect example of how private sector schools have the flexibility to provide training in state-of-the-art programs so our students are qualified to enter the 21st century workforce," said Steve Gunderson.  "APSCU proudly honors them with the 2013 Most Innovative Best Practice / New Program Award."

To learn more about The Art Institutes schools, visit artinstitutes.edu.

The Art Institutes (www.artinstitutes.edu) is a system of more than 50 schools located throughout North America. The Art Institutes schools provide an important source of education for design, media arts, fashion and culinary professionals. Several institutions included in The Art Institutes system are campuses of South University or Argosy University. OH Registration # 04-01-1698B; AC0165, AC0080; Licensed by the Florida Commission for Independent Education, License No. 1287, 3427, 3110, 2581. Since The Art Institutes is comprised of several institutions, see aiprograms.info for program duration, tuition, fees, and other costs, median debt, federal salary data, alumni success, and other important information.

SOURCE The Art Institutes