Rachel Lewis, left, is congratulated by Union College President David Joyce on winning the first Union College Alumni Association Rising Star Award.

Rachel Lewis Receives Inaugural Union College Alumni Rising Star Award
Miami designer honored for early career success

Rachel Lewis, graphic designer and web site manager at Empire Art Products in Miami, was honored with the first ever Union College Rising Star Award on October 19 at a ceremony held during the homecoming alumni banquet. The Award, newly established this year, recognizes the career success and community service efforts of young alumni who have graduated 10 or fewer years ago.

Originally from the local area, Lewis served as Union’s Campus Activities Director for two years following her graduation in 1998. She recently earned a diploma in graphic design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, graduating Magna Cum Laude and receiving the Best Portfolio award.

At Empire Art Products, a wholesale manufacturer of wall art and accessories sold in national retail chains such as Linens & Things, Lewis is also designing a signature line of artwork for the catalog division of the Target Corporation.

“Rachel is a dedicated team player, says Penny Petrosky at Empire, “but also a demanding young woman. She expects and elicits the best, not just from herself, but those around her.”

So great is her passion for design, Rachel also pursues it as a freelancer. Her most ambitious and successful project so far has been the design of a corporate identity package for a company in Germany that markets products for high-end cycling manufacturers. “Rachel is, hands down, the best,” says Anna Morrison, the company’s founder and sales director. “She’s not only superb at what she does, but she’s simply refreshing to be around because of her sincerity, commitment and willingness to always give and give.”

Very active on a variety of campus committees and in events such as Repair Affair during both her student and staff days at Union, Rachel continues to find time for service, despite her obviously full schedule, volunteering with the Dalmatian Rescue Shelter in Miami.

In the future, Rachel hopes to open her own graphic design studio, designing everything from business cards to billboards.

 

October 23, 2002

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