An art therapy graduate student recently was surprised with being named the 2020-21 Nancy Knapp Scholar.
Lyrah Wallace, the honored student, was asked by art therapy faculty to log into the online platform Zoom late last week to check in about a summer internship. Instead of only the faculty members, when Wallace logged in, they were greeted with a screen full of images of classmates in their separate locations holding up signs saying, “Congratulations!” “Go, Lyrah!” “Yaaaaaaay!”
“Lyrah was touched and laughing,” said Dr. Gaelynn Wolf Bordonaro, director of Emporia State University’s art therapy program.
Wallace was to be recognized during the 46th Annual ESU Art Therapy Discovery Day Conference on March 21, 2020, with their artwork and corresponding essay to be showcased during the day’s luncheon. The event was cancelled, however, because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Wallace is to graduate in 2021 with two master’s degrees, one in art therapy counseling and the other in clinical counseling.
The award is named in memory of Dr. Nancy Mayer Knapp, a psychology professor and director of ESU’s art therapy program in the 1990s.
“Lyrah exemplifies the characteristics of an intersectional feminist who is actively engaged in making Emporia State University an inclusive and welcoming learning community,” said Wolf Bordonaro.