Senior visual communications major Amanda Cruz and junior painting manager Keira Howard submitted designs that finished second and third in the 2024 President’s Holiday Card Contest.
Students were invited to submit an original artistic design to be used as the 2024 NIU holiday card to help spread warmth and good cheer to the entire community. The theme for this year’s holiday card competition was to capture the spirit of campus life, winter and Huskie values. The winning entries were chosen because they depicted a community where everyone is welcomed, connected and embraced.
President Lisa Freeman selected student artwork to showcase the incredible talent that NIU students possess. Of the entries submitted for consideration, three were selected and the artists received scholarships for their winning designs. Their work will be featured on the official NIU president’s electronic holiday card.
First place
Arghavan Mollazadeh
Castle in Snow
Arghavan Mollazadeh is a graduate student from Iran studying chemistry.
“This piece reflects how I imagined NIU in winter before experiencing it in person. While researching the campus, I was captivated by images of the iconic castle and Huskie spirit, which shaped my dreamy vision of the school. I wanted to show NIU as a magical winter holiday scene, sketching the wonder and excitement of my imagination before I truly discovered it.”
(First place)
Amanda Cruz
Huskie Holiday Magic
Amanda Cruz is a senior visual communications major from Berwyn, Illinois.
“I thought a snow-scape in the commons would embody a serene, Huskie holiday cheer!”
(Second place)
Keira Howard
Northern Huskies
Keira Howard is a junior painting major with an entrepreneurship minor from Chicago, Illinois.
“The joy of tree decorating is a tradition that fills the heart with warmth and excitement. The soft glow of the string lights casts a magical sparkle around the tree. The tree also shows the results of gathering together to celebrate love and connections and the embrace of the holiday season. Additionally, in the spirit of the NIU holiday, the magic continues as majestic huskies pull a sleigh full of presents, spreading NIU pride and happiness.”
(Third place)
