The Art Institute of Charleston Announces its First Graduates
(Charleston- September 22, 2008) The Art Institute of Charleston announces its first graduates. Three students have earned their Associate in Arts degrees in graphic design. In an intimate ceremony and dinner held Saturday evening for the graduates, their families and guests, President Richard Jerue and Dean Marilyn Burstein presented the diplomas to students Lacy Martin, Mickey Moran, and Chris Murdaugh.
President Jerue said, “This is a proud moment for us and a well deserved accomplishment for these three students. They will always be our pioneers. They took a chance on us when we were little more than a dream, and they helped make our dream their reality. When they visited us 20 months ago, we were still a campus under construction. We hope we met their expectations. And we always will be appreciative for the trust they placed in us.”
That “first class” in April 2007 had a total of 57 students. The Art Institute of Charleston has seen explosive growth and this October plans on starting another 120 new students, bringing the total student body to close to 500.
“These first graduating students really put their faith in us,” said Dean of Academic Affairs Marilyn Burstein. “Now that the halls are brimming with students, it is amazing to look back and see how far we have come, largely due to the welcoming arms of the greater Charleston community.”
The Art Institute of Charleston offers both associate’s and bachelor’s degrees (depending on the area of study) and offers programs in culinary arts, graphics design, interior design, web design & interactive media, photographic imaging, fashion & retail management and digital filmmaking & video production.
The Art Institute of Charleston is one of The Art Institutes (
www.artinstitutes.edu), a system of over 40 education institutions located throughout North America, providing an important source of design, media arts, fashion and culinary arts professionals.
PHOTO from left: graduate Chris Murdaugh, President Richard Jerue, graduate Lacy Martin, Dean Marilyn Burstein, graduate Mickey Moran at The Art Institute of Charleston first graduation.
(taken by Paige Crone)