The John R. Frazier Award for Excellence in Teaching

The Board of Trustees on behalf of the Community of Rhode Island School of Design is most pleased to present this award to:

Wendy Seller
Foundation Studies

Truly a “compassionate mentor” as one of her students puts it, Wendy Seller’s teaching is shaped by an extraordinary devotion to each of her students, both as designers and human beings.  Combining high expectations & challenging assignments with boundless kindness and encouragement, she patiently instills in beginning students at RISD the confidence to face their fears and go beyond their own expectations.  Drawing on her deep knowledge of art & design, her critiques of student work often create moments of life-changing insight that last throughout the next four years and beyond.  Again and again, students emerge from her courses dazzled and transformed; as one said “We entered this class with nothing and we are leaving with everything."

Roger Mandle, President of the College
Clara M. Dale, Chair of the Board

Awarded this fourth day of June, 2005