Support this scholarship in honor of Dr. Elsi Vassdal Ellis
Dr. Elsi Vassdal Ellis taught as a beloved professor at Western for 40 years. She started in 1977 and retired in 2017. Elsi's passion for books and design inspired many students.
“She made me fall in love with books.” - Dan S.
Elsi cared for her students and community. She assembled a press room full of presses and equipment to make sure students could learn through hands-on experience. Elsi made sure her students could always get into the studio to work. When students had a chance to do something special but couldn't get the supplies, Elsi found ways to help, sharing her own materials or chipping in financially when possible. She built strong relationships with staff so that she could support her students, even baking cheesecakes for the facilities staff to keep press room projects on their radar.
Elsi's creative output and work ethic was an inspiration to her students. She provided rich and robust classroom experiences, developed detailed instructions and materials, and shared her experiments, new discoveries, and numerous personal projects with her classes. After retiring, Elsi hasn’t slowed down. She has taken part in about 100 workshops! She still loves teaching and sharing her love for book arts.
In 1995, Elsi created the Vassdal Design Scholarship. This scholarship supports students pursuing a Design degree in the College of Fine & Performing Arts. Sometimes it also supports outstanding students who are especially in need. So far, more than $40,000 has helped 40 students thanks to this scholarship.
Now, almost 30 years after the scholarship began, three of her former students have stepped up to ensure the scholarship Elsi has been personally funding continues into the future. They are creating an endowment fund for the Vassdal Design Scholarship, to sustain Elsi's support of students into the future. Please add your contribution to this fund and support Western Design students through a self-sustaining, annual scholarship!
By supporting this fundraiser, you can help continue Elsi’s tradition of kindness, creativity, and opportunity for future students.
