Class of 1997
BFA in Art and Design (illustration); MFA in Scientific Illustration from U. of Michigan
Profession: Scientific Illustrator

"My liberal arts education and art major at Alma prepared me to enter graduate school at the University of Michigan for a Master of Fine Arts degree in Science Illustration. I began a career as a freelance science illustrator immediately after I received the M.F.A.. Self-employment has its advantages and disadvantages, but I absolutely love it. More details about my work and images from my portfolio may be found at:www.emilydamstra.com

"The most valuable part of my Alma education was the amount of one-on-one interaction I had with the professors. At Alma, I was able to design independent study courses where I experimented with different media and worked with a number of professors both in and out of the Art Department. Those courses in particular were instrumental in my preparation for graduate work, even though I didn't know at the time that I'd continue my education and go into science illustration."